In 99 editions of the Melbourne to Warrnambool just eight riders have managed to win Australia's oldest one-day race on multiple occasions. Peter 'Bulldog' Besanko, who will wave the flag on the finish line this year, shares the record alongside David Allan with three victories.
2009 and 2011 champion Joel Pearson is the most recent addition to the list of two-time winners, joining Stan Bonney in 1949 and 1957, Wally O'Brien in 1958 and 1962, Mario Giramondo in 1970 and 1975, Bruce Clark in 1971 and 1973, and Jamie Drew in 1999 and 2002. Other notable winners since the new millennium include the likes of Simon Gerrans, William Walker and David Mckenzie.
Pearson's first Warny win came after spending 250 of the 261 kilometres in the breakaway, getting the better of fellow escapees Daniel Furmston (Praties) and current Australian track coach Tim Decker, at the age of 25. Win number two was a solo affair as Pearson attacked late in the race on a wet afternoon, savouring the moment of victory, with Nathan Haas crossing the line in second place to make it a one-two for Genesys Wealth Advisers, now known as the Avanti Racing Team.
ADVERTISEMENT
On the eve of the 100th edition of the race, Cyclingnews caught up with Pearson to find out what is required to win one of the 'monuments' of Australian cycling.
Cyclingnews: What would your training schedule be the week before the Warny?
Joel Pearson: The weekend before I would do at least one six-hour day. With the race on Saturday, I would do a complete rest day on the Monday, a few hours on the Tuesday and that would be the main recovery. Wednesday, I would do about four hours with some intensity. Thursday, I would have a one-hour roll and then on Friday, I would do two, to two-and-a-half hours with intensity to build back up into the race.
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest Interviews and Features http://ift.tt/1VPEVaN
No comments:
Post a Comment