Thanks to Cycling-Inform, we've got an easy to follow and fun 8-week training program to make sure you'll have a blast on the day. 

This high-level schedule is intended for the rider that is new to racing and is provided as a guide to the minimum training commitment required. 
If you're new to racing, make sure that you try to do some racing prior to these events so that you get experience riding in racing bunches.

Cycling-Inform also have a specific coaching programs for this event that covers this all off in detail and is available from their website: www.cycling-inform.com.

​by Alex Renzella

​Two-time Champion of Champions Justine Barrow will look to bounce back from injury and defend her Masters Road Nationals titles this October in East Gippsland.

Barrow, the reigning women’s Champion of Champions, fractured her clavicle and ribs in late May this year competing at the U.S. based Winston-Salem Cycling Classic in North Carolina, hampering her preparation and form entering the Masters.  

Having undergone surgery only nine weeks ago to repair the injuries, Justine has since then been steadily getting stronger and targeting a return in October, ‘never missing or slacking off in a training session.’

“I have been doing a lot of indoor training sessions, which hasn't been the worst thing in the world in Melbourne's winter.  I hope that I will be back to full fitness by October.”

Justine has been involved in the past four Masters Road Nationals racing in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland which were highlighted by her two Champion of Champions honours and her maiden Criterium last year in the Women 2 category.

The physiotherapist and now avid cyclist had a somewhat serendipitous introduction to competitive cycling after some encouragement from a few members at local club, Coburg Cycling Club, to get in the saddle.  

“A Coburg member twisted my arm, and I entered a D grade Crit.  I ended up the first placed female, won $50 and loved it - I was hooked and haven't looked back since.”

Now headed to her fifth Masters Road Nationals event, Justine has her eyes firmly set on the road race title in East Gippsland asserting it her strongest event of the three, declaring  ‘the hillier, longer and tougher the better.’

Representing many of the female riders that will take their places in the event in October, she went on to support all women to get involved and try something that they may have never previously considered.

“There are very few opportunities for us to race in Masters categories, so it is well worth taking the chance to test yourself against your peers. Finally - you are competing for a National Jersey   - something I never expected to win 4 years ago when I entered my first Championships.”
 
Entries for the Masters Road Nationals are open until Monday October 8.

by Alex Renzella

Watch out Victoria! Queensland’s John Hampson will be looking to add to his Australian Masters titles this October in East Gippsland.

The Coral Isle Cycling Club rider has put in strong performances in previous additions of the Masters Road Nationals, blowing out his competition and taking victory in the 2017 Men’s Masters 8 ITT as well as placing in the top 10 for the Road Race and a top five finish in the criterium.

After taking action to get fitter and healthier following a life of heavy smoking, Hampson’s first road bike came after a trip to the tip, finding a frame and putting on some new tread, never looking back and now a national champion.

Hampson’s 13 year cycling career started as a part of a fitness regime, but those humble beginnings have now reaped multiple national and state masters titles. His first national success came in the ITT at the 2015 Masters Championships.

The successes quickly continued as he qualified for the 2016 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Perth, placing within the top 10 in his respective category, something that he stated as ‘a memory that will stay with him forever’.

A self-described “honest rider who always gives 100% and never gives up in life or in a bike race”, Hampson only has a year left in the Masters division 8 and is looking to put in another memorable performance later this year in East Gippsland.

“I’m looking forward to racing hard and giving it my all. With ITT racing there is nowhere to hide, so looking forward to see how I perform” Hampson said speaking to Cycling Victoria.

The Bundaberg cyclist is also keen to show the younger riders that he and others like himself still have plenty left to give to the sport, taking out titles along the way.

“I enjoy the competition amongst the younger riders, sprinting and battling it out with them to the finish.  It always gives me much pleasure to show the young ones that this oldie still has it in him.”
​ 
Good luck John!