MAAP is honoured to be joining forces with ENVE Composites as the co-title sponsor of the MAAP/ENVE Cyclocross Team. The MAAP/ENVE Cyclocross Team is comprised an elite team of Aussie riders and like-minded brand partners all joining forces with a shared goal in mind: To celebrate the spirit of cross by racing hard as a team and contributing to the progression of the sport.
Words by: Fiona Morris
Photography by: Adam Phelan
The MAAP/ENVE Team Camp
The absorbing effect of anticipation is amazing. For weeks, excitement had been brewing around the MAAP ENVE team camp in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. But as the days drew nearer, the weather started to turn. An aggressive Arctic Front moving up the east coast of Australia caused the temperature to drop dramatically. The wind whipped wildly and the rain fell sideways as the storm settled in. While most may have canceled on the weekend, we rubbed our hands in glee — this was going to be EPIC!
GARRY MILLBURN
With UCI wins in Australia, Japan and America, Garry Millburn has earned his place at the top of the cyclocross field and the MAAP ENVE team. His incredible technical skill in muddy, wet conditions, and his ability to deliver punchy power make him a force to be reckoned with.
@Garrymillburn
FIONA MORRIS
In a short period of time but with a deep sense of focus and commitment, I've been able to climb up the ranks finishing inside the top 10 at National Championships and UCI-level racing. For me, it's about never holding back and always pushing to the outer-edge of what I know is possible on the pedals.
@__Blonde___
JAYDEN WARD
Australia’s current U23 national champion, Jayden Ward, is the youngest on the team. He has strong bike handling skills especially when it comes to railing ruts and jumping barriers, and brings with him boundless stoke for life and racing.
@Jaydenward96
STACEY RIEDEL
And rounding out the crew is Stacey Riedel. Her quiet demeanour and infectious smile is just a ruse for the MAAP ENVE pocket rocket. Showing off her fearless descending skills and pure grit in the filthiest of conditions she has seen the podium at National and UCI-level races.
The Team-Edition Cannondale SuperX
For over 35 years, Cannondale has been shaking up the bike industry. So when they introduced the SuperX to their offering, it didn’t take long for the bike to gain sweeping respect in the industry as the ultimate machine for cross.
The ultra-light Cannondale SuperX has proprietary Ai offset drivetrain which is paired with a slack front end and 55mm fork rake making the SuperX agile with unrivalled traction on steep climbs and in the mud. It also includes thru axle front and rear for extra stiffness and internal cabling to keep the bike tidy and easy to maintain.
The team is running an ENVE cockpit, a variety of ENVE wheels including the M525’s for training and ENVE CX Disc tubulars for racing which weigh in at a mere 1250 grams.
Shimano Dura Ace Di2 components, with 11/30T at the rear and a prototype Shimano Dura Ace 46T chainring up front to allow for a precision gearing range of 39/46T. We commissioned a custom manufactured spider to run the Shimano chainrings, which as far as we are aware is a world first.
“It feels like I have come full circle and am back to my roots, having ridden for Cannondale in my junior MTB day. The SuperX is agile and responsive, from the very first pedal stroke, I felt it inspired confidence both on the bike or running with it on my shoulder. The high end fram matched with Shimano Dura Ace and complete Enve finishing kit truly makes this a Super Bike of Cyclocross.” - Garry
Additionally, the team is fully kitted out in MAAP Apparel – exclusive team race apparel and all the essentials to train hard across the entire season – Kask Protone helmets in Matte Navy, and Koo Open Cube Sunglasses with a variety of lenses for changing light conditions. The team will be fuelled by Skratch Labs, quality nutrition including electrolytes, bars and recovery drinks made with real ingredients. Plus, we are stoked to be teaming up with Proud Mary Coffee Roastery for our pre-race caffeine hit. We are also welcoming on board The Missing Link, a cyber security and IT solutions company that has a passion for cycling and is stoked to support the team.
Warm Up Ride: Dial Up the Heat
Saturday morning we woke to Belgian-esque conditions: Heavy rain, ripping winds, and cold AF temps. Most of the team has spent months racing in Belgium so these conditions were taken in stride. After a quick breakfast and plenty of coffee, we layered up, filled our pockets with bars, grabbed the new bikes, and headed for the forest.
Thick with trees and undergrowth, we found relief to the wild winds but the ground soaked from rain was slick and muddy. As soon as we hit the single track, Garry immediately dialled it up a notch. And the rest of the team was quick to jump on his wheel. We skidded down rocky descents, feathering the brakes to stay in control and allow the wheels to roll smoothly over rock drop offs. We climbed slippery mud walls, playfully attacking one another to see who had the freshest legs and could keep the most traction.
"The weather was horrendous, but I think it added to the team bonding - we were all experiencing the same conditions, covered in mud, enduring freezing temperatures...and seeing each others limits.” - Stacey
As the trail opened to a deserted fire road, we briefly stopped to catch our breath – marvelling at the stunning surrounds. the rain that we had escaped in the tight single track was coming down around us and the frigid air started to bite. We had the entire forest to ourselves – an open playground for CX, free of traffic and far from civilization.
After a full morning of training, we headed for home. The bunch was tightly packed as we swapped turns excited by the prospect of warmth and food. Fresh faced from hot showers, we gathered around the roaring fire to discuss the season ahead. With key national races finalised and ideas for international racing, voices became a little louder and smiles were growing. You could feel the excitement move around the room as we talked racing, travel, nutrition, training plans, and goals for the season ahead.
As dinner time drew close, Ollie and Ian sparked up the pizza oven, rolled out the dough, and kicked off a feast. Fuel for tomorrow. Pizza!! We gathered around the table — laughter and banter a plenty, you wouldn’t think this was our first time coming together as a new team.
Punching the Pedals to Fitzroy Falls
With a longer route planned for Sunday, we were up early to get the bikes were packed in the MAAP van so we could head to Fitzroy Falls and make the most of the day. Almost on cue, the sky darkened and big droplets of rain began to fall. Huddling in the van, we tightened our shoes, put on our rain jackets, and decided it was now or never...and never was not an option.
“It was clear from the start we were all going to push each other, support each other and want the best for each other. I can feel this team is going to be special and like nothing I’ve had before.” - Jayden
We rolled towards Kangaroo Valley, the pedals turning easily and the conversation flowing, yet each of us only too aware this would be the easiest part of the day. Soon enough the towering gumtrees came close around us and the roads turned to dirt, immediately the pace quickened. We were punching the pedals up the short gnarly hills and barrelling down skittish descents, launching off water bars and ripping through loose corners. If there was any fear, it evaporated quickly wanting to show we all had what it took to keep up.
When 30% Grades Are Actually a Good Thing
A fast descent led to a deep water crossing, pulling up quickly we assessed the situation realising with the torrential rain it would be unrideable. The dirt climb was about to start. 4 kms with an average gradient of 11%, and sections topping out at 30%. The loose, rocky surface made climbing out the saddle a balancing act, too far forward and the rear wheel lost traction, too far back the front wheel wanted to lift.
Our heart rates were rising as quickly as the elevation, our breathing became heavy and laboured. As each rider crested the summit, the pain on their faces faded and was replaced with a cheshire cat like grin.
We scoffed down some bars to refuel, before heading off to finish the final 15km’s of dirt roads. Keeping the tempo high, we raced each other along the flats skidding to slow for puddles that covered the entire track, unsure how deep they were. Puddle after puddle, the fear became less, until one of the crew attempting to ride between deep water filled tyre tracks slipped straight in, covered from head to toe in icy muddy water. Clearly unharmed, there was no containing the laughter.
We hurried to return to the MAAP van, the threat of hypothermia being all too real covered in cold water with the low temps.
New Season. New Team. See You at the Start Line.
As the team dispersed heading their own ways home, it was clear the spirit of the team was taking shape. A group of people, with different personalities and different life experiences, had come together to ride and train in challenging conditions and left chomping at the bit to get the new season underway.
“We had a blast ripping through the forest, pushing our new bikes to their limits and getting to know our new team members. It wouldn’t be a proper training camp without a bit of healthy competition, a Millburn stitch up ride and someone landing in a puddle...” - Fiona
Stay tuned because it’s going to be a banger season!
