National Championships: Team work makes the dream work

From the outside, being part of a team looks like a sweet deal. There’s factory bikes, probably someone there to work on your bike, new tyres every race, fresh kit for every event and oodles of support staff to do anything you want them to.

The reality is quite different. The majority of Australian mountain bike teams are instead a group of riders who have been selected, or banded together, as they are highly motivated hard working riders who want to achieve big goals. There is usually a team manager who may or may not be a team rider, and they will be the workhorse of the team. They will organise the equipment, manage relationships with sponsors, book the accommodation, organise transport and keep everything running. Of course this changes for every team, with some riders sharing roles. One thing is common across all the teams you’ll see at Australian events – there is someone behind the scenes working really hard to help create great outcomes for the riders. 

We caught up with four teams who were at the 2022 AusCycling National Mountain Bike Championships, to get the down low on their squads.

Collab Racing

Team Riders 

Cassie Voysey – 20 – Engadine, NSW

Taj Pollard – 17 – Doonan, QLD

Matt Empey – 19 – Mansfield, VIC

Eilse Empey – 17 – Mansfield, VIC

Manager
Lee Pollard

Team owners
Lee Pollard
David Empey

 

2021 Major results:

Taj Pollard 8th National Downhill Juniors

Cassie Voysey 2nd National downhill elite womens

Cassie Voysey 8th Crankworx downhill 

Cassie Voysey 8th Crankworxs Airdh

Cassie Voysey 7th Crankworxs Dual slalom

Elise Empey – 1st U/19 DH Australian Championships

VDHS Series Overall – Elite Women 

Vic Enduro Series Overall Elite Women 

 

2022 Major Results

Elise Empey National Downhill Junior champion

Taj Pollard 4th National Downhill Junior category

Cassie Voysey 7th National downhill elite womens

Matt Empey 20th National downhill elite mens

Taj Pollard 4th Cannonball downhill Junior category

Taj Pollard 3rd Cannonball All mountain Junior category

Elise Empey 1st VDHS Mt Buller and Mt Beauty

Cassie Voysey 2nd VDHS Mt Beauty

 

2022 sponsors 

Fox Racing Australia, Krush, Deity Components USA, KWT imports, Maxxis tyres, JAB titanium bolts, Quikshade pit structures

 

We introduced Collab racing a couple of issues ago, and Lee Pollard confirmed why this gravity team has been built.

‘The team was set up due to the restrictions with travelling overseas during Covid 19 and lack of federation entries available to Junior riders. The only guarantee the riders had to leave Australia and be able to compete at World Cup events was to create our own UCI team. Even now in 2022 there are very limited opportunities for Junior riders to get overseas and perform.’

The last two years have been a development gap for talented Juniors, who have missed the opportunity to compete and learn on the world stage. But Collab is aiming to create the paltform to let riders make the leap. But it can’t just be any rider, as Lee confirms.

‘We originally started building the team for our son Taj Pollard, and in order for him to have the opportunity to race in the World Cup Titles, the criteria for a Team were a minimum of two riders and a maximum of 10 riders to form a team. Since we would be working closely together it was important to us that the rest of the riders and parents had the same values and objectives of the team. Firstly, it needs to be fun, and it was also important that the riders all get along together and support each other. It was also important that the team would help each rider to perform to their true potential. We have been fortunate enough to have on-board like-minded riders and parents who are all keen to compete at the World Cups.’

With four riders, Collab Racing still manage to get a good mix across the team, ‘we have two female riders and two male riders from 3 Australian States representing every class at the World Cups,’ Lee confirms. 

Just like other team managers, Lee confirmed that getting the team up and running took a lot of prep work. ‘I spent 10 months on research, planning and collaborating with other people. I now continue to spend about 2 hours a day behind the scenes on paperwork, entries, pit spaces, accommodation, sponsors, flights, pit tent designs, sponsors insurances, just to name a few.’ And just like other team managers, Lee is very much aware of the rewards.

‘The moment I received the approval of the team from the UCI was a huge achievement and clearly a great reward after all the time and effort that we put into achieving this. I love the fact that there are many sponsors from companies in Australia who wish to support our riders and who are excited to see Australian Junior riders compete overseas while representing their brands. Another reward is the fact that our riders now have the opportunity to compete in the pinnacle of their sport after being denied this for the past two years. There is a real buzz in the team about competing in the World Cups and having the experiences of travelling the world racing some of the best tracks you have only ever watched on TV.’

Duke-Flanders Racing

Team Riders

Domenic Paolilli – 19 – Melbourne, VIC

Cohen Jessen – 16 – Bright, VIC

Millie Chester – 17 -  Mornington Peninsula, VIC

Christopher Jongewaard – 42 Adelaide, SA

Simon Bishop – 44-  Melbourne, VIC

Paul Redenbach – 43 – Bright, VIC

Todd Cuthbert – 40 – Melbourne, VIC

Manager Todd Cuthbert

Team owners

Paul Redenbach

Todd Cuthbert

 

2021 Major results

AusCycling National Championships

U23 3rd (first year)

U17 5th

Masters 3 1st 

2022 Major Results

Masters 3 XCO Champion
Junior Women XCO – 3rd at National Championships  

U23 Men XCO – 2nd at National Championships

 

Sponsors 

Flanders Cycles, Duke racing Wheels Australia, PR Sports, PSI Cycling, Time pedals, Lezyne official, KWT Imports, Maxxis AU, Joes no flats, Northwave Australia, SRAM Australia, Limar Helmets, Zeffz socks, Turba optics, Legata projects, Southern Plant hire

Duke-Flanders racing has come together as a cross-country oriented team, although you will also see the riders on the road and at cyclocross races as well. Team Manager Todd Cuthbert said the motivation to get started was simple.

‘We wanted to improve and change the pathway and opportunities and help develop some of our amazing talent of younger cyclists we have here in Australia. Through my business Ridecoach I’m lucky enough to be involved with some amazing athletes and with the masters talent we have a big wealth of knowledge that can help shape those riders, Paul is also the owner of Flanders Cycles and absolutely loves racing his bike as do I. So it’s a fun and inspiring team dynamic.’

Team selection has been a case of previous team arrangements, and looking for development opportunities, as Todd explains.

‘Our Masters riders already rode  on the Flanders FMB team for CX  but I wanted to make a multi-discipline team with a strong focus on mountain biking. I wanted a first year Junior male and female to develop over the two seasons and also a male and female U23 plus our 4 masters riders.’

It’s an interesting mix, pairing masters riders (who often make up the greatest numbers at any event) and developing riders. But Todd likes the mix, especially when their older riders include past elite National Champions with deep experience in road, cyclocross and mountain biking.

While Todd enjoys running the team, there are still lots of challenges to juggle with his own business and family.

‘There are so many emails, I would never of thought I would send and receive so many emails. Whether its with sponsors or organising parts or organising riders and their kits – sometimes it never ends!’ Still, there are rewards and Todd is enjoying seeing riders progress and achieve their goals.

Trek Shimano

Team Riders 

Dan McConnell -36 – Canberra, ACT 

Cameron Ivory – 29- Launceston, TAS 

Zoe Cuthbert – 20 – Canberra, ACT

Russell Nankervis- 29 -  Bendigo, VIC

Hayley Oakes – 17, Brisbane, NSW 

Brayden Martin – 19 – Brisbane, QLD 

Meaghan Stanton  –  46, Bowral, NSW 

Tory Thomas – 42, Mount Beauty, VIC

Hamish Retchford – 10, Mount Beauty, VIC

Manager
Peter Dowse

Team owner
Peter Dowse

 

2021 Major results

Daniel McConnell – Elite XCO and XCC National Champion, 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games Rep

Cam Ivory – Elite Marathon National Champion, 3rd Elite XCO Nationals

Zoe Cuthbert – 2nd Elite XCO and XCC Nationals, 3rd Elite Enduro Nationals, 1st Snowies MTB Festival

Hayley Oakes – U19 XCO and XCC National Champion

Meaghan Stanton – Masters 4 XCO and XCC National Champion

Brayden Martin – 4th U23 Women’s XCO and XCC Nationals

Russell Nankervis – 9th Elite XCO Nationals

 

2022 Major Results

Daniel McConnell – 2nd Elite Men’s XCO Nationals, 1st Snowies MTB Festival

Cam Ivory – Elite Road Criterium National Champion, 3rd Elite Men’s XCO Nationals

Zoe Cuthbert – 2nd Elite Women’s XCO and XCC Nationals, 2nd Snowies MTB Festival, 2nd Cannonball

Meaghan Stanton – Masters 4 XCO and XCC National Champion

Russell Nankervis – 7th Elite XCO Nationals

Hamish Retchford – U13 XCO and XCC National Champion

 

Sponsors
Trek, Shimano, Lazer, Bontrager, GU Energy, Aussie Butt Cream, ESI grips, Finish Line, Sportful
(Some riders also have personal sponsors)

You would have to be living under a rock to not have seen the Trek Shimano team. The squad has been home for the majority of Australia’s cross-country or marathon mountain bike talent at one point or another, and the squad has won near countless National Titles. It’s been the brainchild of Peter Dowse, who works tirelessly in the background.

‘Having identified a lack of support and opportunities to help athletes bridge the gap between domestic and international racing, Trek Shimano Australia was set up to provide a springboard for these riders, helping them financially with equipment, but more importantly with race support and opportunities for development,’ Peter told us. 

On the outside it might seem like every rider has been on the team for one season or more, but that’s not the case.

‘We always look to improve our rider’s results, but selection in the team is about more than just results. We have become something of an extended family (in some cases our riders are literally family!) and the support our riders provide for each other is a big part of the team dynamic. We select riders who we have already formed relationships with, to confirm their fit with our team environment.’

With so many National Titles, podium finishes and riders who achieve national selection – it’s a policy that works. And the longevity of the team is unique.

‘Trek Shimano Australia is still here, doing what we do, more than 10 years after we started, despite having no real financial backing for the last 8 years. We are proud to have supported a long list of Australia’s top cyclists during this time,’ says Peter.

Of course, as alluded to, there are plenty of challenges in running a large team, as Peter readily admits.

‘Trying to source high end equipment and supplies for riders is always a challenge, especially in the last 2 years, with supply chain problems on so many product lines. Finding financial backing is virtually impossible. Most people wouldn’t realise I don’t receive any income from running the team. The opposite is true – I fund the team myself, putting all my income from coaching into the team and paying my own travel expenses to get to races to support my athletes. Giving up time away from work to get to races is something I am used to doing, but it can be an extra challenge at times. Keeping in touch with my riders to work out what they all need, and our sponsors to see what they can provide means I always have a “to-do” list on my mind.’

This is the mark of true dedication, and a passion for helping others. And there is a reason to all of that as Peter confirms.

‘Seeing my riders achieve their goals is an obvious reward. The privilege of representing Australia to assist Australian riders racing internationally at World Cups, World Championships, Commonwealth and Olympic Games is also a highlight. For the riders, the big obvious rewards are their results and the chance to achieve their potential, but the support that comes from a team environment also makes them feel cared for – part of a family, and for many, that feeling of connection can be even more important than the results in the long run.’

It’s a big year ahead, and with riders like Zoe Cuthbert off to race World Cups, and some riders aiming for Commonwealth Games and then World Championships selection, clearly the team will continue to aim high. And there’s no stopping there.

‘Beyond 2022, we will continue to search for financial assistance which will allows us to support athletes looking to develop their careers as cyclists.’

GZ Pirate Life

Team Rider list name, age, home town

Jordan Prochyra – 28 – Glen Forrest, WA

Tom Maslin – 36 – Stirling, SA

Nathan Newell – 37 – Mount Barker, SA

Cameron Ryan – 27- Adelaide, SA

Manager 

Nathan Newell

Team owner

Nathan Newell

 

2021 Major results

DH Nationals 8th Elite 

WA Enduro Champion 

WA DH 2nd Elite

Southern Peaks Urban Downhill Champion

SA Downhill Series Champion 

SA DH Series – 2nd Vets Men

SA Gravity Enduro Series 3rd overall

 

OTHER Major Milestones 

Testing Pirelli DH Prototype Tyres

2022 first year on World Stage – EWS

 

2022 Major Results 

Top 20 – Trans Tasmania (With mechanicals)

 

2022 sponsors 

Pirate Life Brewing, Rocky Mountain Bikes, 100%, DT Swiss, Pirelli, Krush, Galfer, Wahoo, Lezyne, Wicked Campers, Shokz, SendHit Handguards, ABUS locks, Raceface, Ride Fox Australia 

Nathan Newell is the driving force behind the GZ Pirate Life team, as he thought he saw a gap that could be filled.

‘After spending a lot of years in the moto scene and a short time in the mountain bike scene, I found similarities on how teams were run. I felt there was a gap there to curate a team that was not so focused on the elite titles and wins. We wanted to represent the 95% of the industry that wasn’t a paid elite rider and capture the reason why we ride in the first place, making our team relatable to the entire industry.’ 

Like any team, it’s about having the right riders, and this is something Nathan has managed to curate and evolve over time.

‘Our team is so diverse, and as our team grows and is more recognised within the industry, we have employed guys like Jordan and Cam to head up the EWS push whilst still staying in line with our team culture and what we represent. Results are great, yes, but any rider must be a good fit. Of course, having a brewery as a sponsor gets a lot of attention!’ 

If you follow GZ Pirate Life on social media you’ll see that the team knows how to ride and have fun. But there’s a lot of work going on, as Nathan confirms.

‘The hours of work behind closed doors from sponsor negotiations and proposals, to race logistics, social media and content all take a lot of time while holding down a day job. It is essentially a second job to do it right.’ Hard work gets a return though, and Nathan has plenty of evidence of that.

‘Personally, I’m seeing the hard work paying off. We have great relationships with our sponsors, and they believe in our team concept and what we are doing, which is being recognised within the industry. To have 2 of our riders heading to do the EWS next year puts us on the world stage which is exciting.’

‘As for the riders, free beers is always a going to be a great thing but I think for them its that they can focus on what their goals are with no pressure, along with the ongoing support from team sponsors. We’ve done some cool events and got to test out prototype product too, like the new Pirelli gravity tyres.’