THE DERREK IVEY REPORT FROM DOWN UNDER

Good Day MGCC,

With almost a month gone since I arrived in Melbourne time is flying by!

Being able to ride every day and race when I want is really bringing my form up fast. It is to early to be racing every weekend but the races I have performed up to my goals during the races I have competed in.

The first race was a crit held by the St Kilda’s Cycling Club.  With 12 other riders off of the front, we lapped the field at an avg speed of 46.7 kph. I came in 4th, not bad for my first race!   It was extremely competitive and the caliber of racers in the elite field where beyond what I was expecting.

The second crit saw me almost take the win.  I attacked the field every time I could to get away. With 3 laps to go I got away trying to hold 450-475 watts. But coming into the finish I was caught with 300 meters to the line.

SO CLOSE!!!!!!

The training here is phenomenal, you have a costal road that goes on for 100k and a set of foot hills with tons of small roads to climb all day long. 

Having the opportunity to ride full time has given me the ability to train with the pros.

I have done a few rides with Greg Henderson and Jeremy Hunt from the Sky Pro Cycling Team.  They are great guys who have introduced me to a tonne of people in the cycling scene down here as well answering every question I throw at them on how to become a pro.

Hammering with them will surly bring my form up fast  Greg and Jeremy are getting ready for their season witch starts in 4 weeks so the rides have been increasing in intensity.  I can only imagine what the intensity will be like over the Christmas break.

Melbourne is a beautiful city, reminds me of Vancouver (minus the rain and door step mountains).  The people here are very friendly and the nightlife is fantastic although I have only missed my self-imposed bed time of 10pm once.   I am here for one purpose and that is to train, to race, and to get a pro contract.

As my time here has just begun, my performance has already seen a massive improvement from last season.

So far, everything is on track with my plan.

Thanks again MGCC, you are the reason I am able to follow my dreams.

Connect with me on twitter to get a more up to date experience. 

Twitter - @_Ivey_

Cheers,
Derrek

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