Worlds buzz is building

Sep 24th, 10. Guest writer Emma Bryant shares her own build up to the UCI World Road Championships where she, and many other Kiwis, are heading next week.

Emma Bryant - ready to cheer on the world

By Emma Bryant

With only four more sleeps to go until I am on a plane heading over to the World Road Cycling Champs in Geelong, the excitement is starting to get the better of me.

A horrific week of weather has meant that all my windtrainer sessions have been accompanied by footage of past World Championships, and my non cycling workmates have been forced to put up with my recollections of random facts and updates on favourite riders form.

The competition is shaping up to be a good one. Most teams' start lists are finalised, although whether Cancellera is going to contest the TT is anyones guess after he announced on his website he would decide whether to race after going for a long ride to clear his head.

It seems many of the world's other most celebrated riders are going to put on a good show with hoards of Euro pros arriving in Geelong as we speak, and entertaining the locals by riding without helmets and ignoring traffic lights.

While the whole competition is bound to be fantastic, the highlight for me has got to be the TT. A day which showcases not only some of the finest riders on the planet pushing themselves to the absolute limit, but also some of the trickest gear, in all its shiny glory.  From bikes to shoes, there will be many a piece of bling.

Taking place mid week and on course which provides plenty of spectator viewpoints, it really is not to be missed.  And I'm sure along the roads surrounding Geelong there will be countless Kiwis cheering on our local favourites, as well as the international superstars of cycling.

In the womens road race we have our team headed by Cath Cheatley, who has proved she has the ability to take it out following her recent NRS Championship title in the US, and in the TT Linda Villumsen showing perfect form leading into competition.

These two, combined with the formidable talents of all the other girls on the Kiwi team mean the women's races are bound to be action-packed.

And the same goes for our mens team, no longer viewed as the poor cousins, we have some of the strongest and most competitive riders in the world. From Henderson to McCauley (who also happens to be my coach), they are all in with a shot. Watching the coach in action and seeing him put through his paces will also be a bit of a highlight.

So as I count down the last few days of work and start getting ready for what is undoubtedly going to be an epic week, I can only pray the weather gods hold out and all the riders' last week of preparation goes smoothly, and I don't sleep through my 3am alarm for my Tuesday morning flight to Melbourne!

Emma Bryant is a senior grade rider training to join the elite ranks. She is hoping to train as a journalist next year.

If you are heading over to Geelong for the Worlds, join our facebook group "Kiwis invading Geelong" so we can keep in touch and maybe create a Kiwi corner somewhere around the circuit!