Several Lifecycle riders competed in the BikeKing Tour de Sunshine Coast over the Queen's Birthday long weekend.  The 5 stage, 4 day Tour is considered by many to be the highlight of the Queensland road racing calendar and again in 2008 this proved to be the case.

Recently we were emailed this photo of Tim Harris winning the Elite B category of the Grafton to Coffs Harbour in a solo breakaway. This was a great effort by Tim and one of those rare occasions where the breakaway keeps away from the pack.

We always love seeing photos of you riding and racing in the Lifecycle kit. So if you, like Tim, have won a race or achieved a personal milestone in Lifecycle kit why not drop us an email with a photo so we can post it in the Lifecycle gallery.

2nd place Avanti Classic finisher Adrian Booth (above in green) has been kind enough to submit this race report:

A fantastic day greeted over 200 hundred riders from South East Queensland for the 2007 edition of the Avanti Classic. An 80km handicap held in and around Wivenhoe Dam, this event takes in some beautiful scenery and is fiercely contested by all who participate. Hosted by the Lifecycle club, Blair Stockwell has made this race an institution on the CQ racing calendar since Chris Locke won the inaugural event in 2002.

Wow, another Avanti Classic wrapped up and what a great event it was. It was fantastic to see Grant Irwin (Ord Minnett) take out the event on an Avanti Team Corsa in a closely fought finish. Adrian Booth (Merida), Steven George (Velo) and Mark Ledgerwood (2XU) rounding out the top 4 in the battle for the line.

You can view the full length photo finish here.

This Sunday sees the Lifecycle Club's major promotion for 2007 when the 6th edition of the Avanti Classic will take place at Lowood. It is the largest field for a race in recent history with a record 223 hopeful riders have paid their nomination for a crack at the $5000 in cash and prizes on offer. The major drawcard will be the $1000 for the first rider across the line, however the next 19 riders will also be in the money (see below). There are big cash prizes for fastest time placings, and separate prize categories for women and masters. Also for the early starters there are cash prizes for the first 3 through on the first lap.

The last Saturday in March may mean different things to a lot of people but for the 15 Lifecyle riders lining up in the famous blue & white strip it can mean only one thing……a trip to Christchurch, NZ for Le Race!

Jack, Alex and myself have been spending our time planning for the upcoming 24hour Mountain Bike Challenge on the 21st and 22nd of April. Held at the Kooralbyn Hotel Resort the 24hour has become an annual highlight for many on the Queensland Mountain Bike calendar.

After the crits I decided to take a day off the bike in Amsterdam with Emma Mackie, a fellow Aussie. We decided that while in Amsterdam we should actually do something educational so we chose the Van Gough Museum and the house of Anne Frank.  This decision was followed by an hour trying to find the Van Gough Museum and figuring out the Tram system.  Nonetheless, it was a most pleasant hour as we travelled on trams and walked through Amsterdam seeing all of the beautiful buildings and parks.  We arrived at the Museum and had a good look at the artwork of Van Gough, which turned out to be a lot more diverse than I thought.  After the Museum we took an hour-long tour of Anne Frank’s house.  The house is actually devoid of any furniture, but has a lot of information about the Frank family and the war. The tour is really great and I’m sure it would have a big impact on all.

I have to say that I am getting quite use to the glamorous lifestyle of an elite athlete, flitting around the world competing in European Cycling Tours and day races.  It’s the second 10 hour car trip I have taken in three weeks and both times it’s been in the back of the team bus with no air conditioning in 38 degree heat, sweating bullets.  I mean seriously how much more glamorous does it get!!! 

Miss Josie Loane

Mr Blair Stockwell

Major Dave Thomson

Mr Luke Stockwell

Mr Greg Ellis

Mr Jay Stockwell