By Jack Bobridge

Last time I checked in, I had just completed Tour de Perth and was about to begin a race in Adelaide, then take my mid-season break and head to Bali for a few days with the family. I really needed the switch-off time and enjoyed our first holiday as a family with our little girl. Once I got back I was mentally refreshed and it was time to start putting in the long hours and prepping for the U.S. trip, competing in the Tour of Toowoomba along the way.

I enjoyed that tour and picked up a second place in the TT. I was happy with my ride, having flown over just the day before to ensure I still got in the training I needed. I had actually targeted the team’s first one-day race, Philly, in the U.S. as my main goal. So I left for Philadelphia a week before the race in the hope of having good legs and being over the jet lag.

Unfortunately, I suffered through one of my worst days on a bike. I was in the early break, and thought my legs might come good... but that was not the case. I had terrible legs throughout the entire race. That’s all part of being an elite athlete — you deal with the disappointments and move on to the next goal.

I then went to the Tour of Beauce in Canada, where my legs felt much better than they had in Philly. I was gunning for the TT here, but unfortunately took a wrong exit on course and ended up in 4th place. My teammate took the win though, which made the day better! I was frustrated at my own mistake, which cost me a win, so I took that out on the field in the criterium that night and ended up in the breakaway, sprinting to second place. My coach jokes with me that I always race well when I'm angry!

I was pleased with my efforts in Beauce, featuring in lots of breakaways and really putting in. I am currently racing the Tour of Dairyland — 11 criteriums over 11 days. We have our big sprinter here (former track sprinter, Scott Sunderland) who has had a win, and we are all enjoying some aggressive racing! I am using the Turbine in the race for more air and also sleeping with it, as recovery is just as important as what you do in the race, especially when you're backing up with hard efforts day in, day out!

Until next time,
Jack