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Australian Open Road Championships - CN
Ballarat, Australia, January 11-14, 2007
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Stage 1 - January 11: U23 men's time trial, 28km
Dempster continues time trial prowess
By Mark Zalewski in Ballarat, Victoria
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Zakkari Dempster added another impressive win to his palmares today, taking out the U23 time trial championship in Buninyong near Ballarat. Just five months ago, Dempster won the Australian Cycling Grand Prix, a few kilometers the other side of Ballarat. With this win, Dempster solidifies his position as the future for Australian cycling.
"This has been a target of mine for some time," said Dempster. "I have been training a lot with local triathletes, going out with them on longer rides on my time trial bike specifically. I've also worked on the track a lot."
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Coming close to upsetting the rather young Dempster was a rider in his first U23 race, Hayden Josefski (Qld) just seven seconds slower. "This is exciting for me, in my first year," he said. "I was just hoping for a top five, but I am really happy with a podium. It was pretty tough with the heat and crosswinds. I tried to save some energy out there but it was really more about finding a tempo, once you got the big hill out of the way."
Josefski will not be a factor for Saturday's road race, as he heads off to continue preparing for the track. "I won't be racing the road race because I am going to track camp to prepare for the LA world cup."
Dempster was also excited to win today for his new team, southaustralia.com-AIS. "This is a new team for me, so it's a maiden win in this jersey. And it's already our second win of the year."
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When asked about the change in format that separates the U23 riders from the pro riders, Dempster replied, "It was good to race against them, to see how you match up. But this gives us more credit, being able to win a national title." However, a confidence that only comes from wearing your national champion strip came through moments later. "I'll have a go at [the pros] in a couple of years!"
One of the pre-race favourites, Miles Olman, a teammate of Dempster, finished third. While happy with the result, he is still looking for more. "Today is what I was training for, so it makes me more hungry to race well on Saturday."
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Mark Gunter/www.pbase.com/gunterphotograph
- Jack Anderson (QLD) takes of on his ride.
- Hayden Josefski (QLD) looking focused on the starting block
- Robert Williams (NSW) prepares for his TT
- Zack Dempster (VIC) blasts of the starting ramp.
- Miles Olman (QLD) was the last to leave in the U23 men.
- Hayden Brooks (QLD) gives his all
- matt King (NT) finished a respectable 7th
- Hayden Josefski (QLD) nearing the finish line
- Zack Dempster (VIC) heading towards a win in the U23 Men
- Miles Olman (QLD) could only manage 3rd today
- Zack Dempster (VIC) during the national anthem
- Zack Dempster (VIC) looking proud in his new jersey
Images by Shane Goss/www.licoricegallery.com
- Daniel Braunsteins of Victoria strikes some traffic hassles in Buninyong
- The Drapac Porsche team-van keep a close eye on their rider Mark O'Brien in the Men's Under 23 Time-Trial
- Men's Under 23 winner, Zak Dempster is interviewed by media after his great win against the clock
- How much can a koala bear? Time-trialling near Buninyong
- Marylin MacDonald of Victoria has the TV camera fixed on her in Buninyong
- Miles Olman from Queensland grits his teeth and powers towards podium finish in the Men's Under 23 National Time-Trial Championship
- Zak Dempster from Victoria powers his way onward to a gold medal in the Men's Under 23 Time-Trial Championship
- Hayden Josefski from Queensland on his way to a Silver Medal in the Men's Under 23 Time-Trial Championship
Results
1 Zakkari Dempster (Vic) 37.40.97 (44.58 km/h) 2 Hayden Josefski (Qld) 0.07.66 3 Miles Olman (Qld) 0.48.21 4 Robert Williams (NSW) 1.04.56 5 Benjamin King (WA) 1.10.37 6 Jack Anderson (Qld) 1.48.02 7 Matt King (NT) 1.48.30 8 Richie Porte (Tas) 2.05.89 9 Pip Grinter (Vic) 2.31.95 10 Brendan O'Connell (Qld) 2.45.96 11 Peter Ladd (Vic) 3.06.21 12 Hayden Brooks (Qld) 3.34.32 13 Daniel Braunsteins (Vic) 3.34.45 14 Brendan Jones (NSW) 3.35.69 15 Michael Fitzgerald (WA) 3.41.24 16 Mark O'Brien (Vic) 3.45.24 17 Kevin Harnett (SA) 4.04.21 18 Benjamin Fleming (Qld) 4.14.30 19 Timothy Walker (Tas) 4.18.36 20 Matthew Sherwin (Vic) 4.37.10 21 Lachlan Norris (Vic) 4.59.72 22 Michael Johnstone (SA) 6.20.21 23 Simon Brown (Tas) 7.50.89 24 Timothy White (Vic) 8.23.49 25 Ben Tatti (Vic) 11.24.49 DNS Daniel Johnston (NT) DNS Shaun Lewis (SA) DNS Mitchell Docker (Vic) DNS Chris Stack (SA)
