The 2007 team presentation in Holland
Photo ©: Malcolm Putman

Hitting the big time: The Team DFL-Cyclingnews-Litespeed diary 2007

With a bolstered squad including the acquisition of 2005 Gent Wevelgem winner Nico Mattan plus an upgrade to Professional Continental status, look out for the DFL-Cyclingnews-Litespeed boys pounding the pavé of the Belgian Classics and other high profile European races this season.

Follow all the adventures of Cameron Jennings and the gang as they battle against snow, cobbles and the lure of Belgian beer in their quest to reach the top tier of Continental road racing.

For further reading about the team, visit the DFL-Cyclingnews-Litespeed official site. To check out Team Cyclingnews during 2005 and earlier, visit the 2005 site.

• Index to all entries

Good Sun!

It has been a pretty busy end of the year for me. I had Franco-Belg then just two days after I was straight on the plane back to Australia, with just enough time to spare for a swim on the Gold Coast, then back on a plane heading to Melbourne for the Herald Sun Tour. By this time I was really over plane rides, that will do me for the year. Franco-Belg was flat out everyday, a very solid tour. This was Nico Mattan's last ride for his career, so there was a few nights of last drinks with a legend; a label he would remind us of most nights.

The team shared a few drinks Photo ©: Kane Oakley

There's plenty of time to Photo ©: Kane Oakley

The DFL - Cyclingnews.com - Litespeed riders Photo ©: Kane Oakley

On the last day of the tour we headed straight to Nico’s farewell party, it was a great night! The next couple of days were time for packing up the Booischot house and preparing for an epic flight home. I got back on the Gold Coast for one night then headed straight down to Melbourne for the Sun Tour. Our good mate Rocko (Director) came out to Australia to look after us, or for us to look after him.

We had a great Sun Tour, with Bernie getting the King of the Mountains jersey and Cameron winning a stage. All round it was great team work by all members. I got sick on the second stage and then rode myself into the Broom Wagon on Friday. It was a serious head cold, but I wasn't really that sad to miss out on the Time Trial and a hard Criterium. I used this time to catch up with the locals and have a few beers with my Dad.

This was a perfect way to end the year for the boys, they where all pumped up and looked like a team. We had some celebration drinks and a dinner on the Sunday night, all the boys where very well behaved because they brought their girlfriends along...good for them.

Time for a drink

Also a big thanks to Rocko, Funky, Rick and Chris for there help during the Sun Tour. So, now I am back on the Gold Coast in the ocean everyday getting ready for the Noosa Criterium weekend. This should be a great couple of days to farewell the bike and lycra for the season.

Rick telling us a real good yarn

For next year it is still uncertain that the Munge (myself) will be going back to Belgium. The team is still finialising the 2008 season, but I hope it will all work out. For now, surfs up, time to get in the green room.

Shake 'n' Bake,
Munge

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Kane Oakley/DFL-Cyclingnews

• The team shared a few drinks at its last race for 2007.
• Did anyone say speech?
• The riders share some great stories at the last race of the year.
• There's plenty of time to kick back and relax at home in Australia.
• The DFL-Cyclingnews.com-Litespeed riders hand out in Melbourne during the Herald Sun Tour.