January 15, 2007 - Australian Nationals

Brooks 13th at Australian National TT Champs, Under 23, January 9th

Hayden Brooks is home racing for the Australian summer, and he put in a great ride to take 13th place at the National Time Trial Championships for Under 23’s. You can see the results on cyclingnews.com and there is also a photo from the road race with the Fiordifrutta colors.

Matt White had a tough time at Nationals this year, but he had the fortitude to put in an entire cross season including 2 wins in the weeks leading up to nationals. He wrote the following report:

National Championship Elite Race – December 16

After endless debate with myself over the validity of lining up with the nation’s best, of which I have not considered myself one this season, I got my act together and off to KC Kansas for the season final. I had decided that I had come this far, and finishing out this last race of the year no matter what the final result, would be better for my suffering moral than sitting at home wondering what could have been.

Low and behold I showed up to race that day, hitting the first turn around 7th wheel and flying out of it in 2nd. The technical course suited me, I didn't lose many positions through the first lap as I focused on my lines, and kept it smooth. Late in the 2nd lap I crashed trying to hold a long rut, and hit the ground on my stomach separating my left shoulder, and covering my hands with mud, I got up dejected and in pain and relocated the shoulder.

Later in that lap I had to make the call to remover my slimy gloves, which proved a huge mistake. My hands froze, I could hardly control my brakes and shifters, and I wanted to drop out and run them under warm water more than I wanted to finish. "Last race, can't pull out, you'll make it", became my mantra.

Next on my list of bad luck, a front flat. Thankfully I was approaching my last lap, with Tim Johnson creeping up the pavement behind me, I crossed the line for one to go, no air in my tires, and knew I had as much time as I needed to finish the race. I wish it had all gone better, maybe my luck that struck at the start could have lasted the whole race, but I still felt good that I got out there and gave it my best effort. I'll have plenty more races to win in my life, that day I was just another part of the big show!