The individual time trial (ITT) is a very specialist event. Often called the race of truth, it is a good test of fitness and performance. There are no other people to rely on, no wheels to draft behind and no rest for the wicked. I have dabbled in ITT in the past and have done a number of the very well run ATTA events around Perth. Champion Lakes, in particular is a good course to test yourself against and there is decades of data from that course to gauge yourself against.
For me, my personal best (PB) on the 20km course was 29:11 for an average of 41.12km/h. That was fifteen years ago in May of 2011 back when I was a smidge shy of 39 years old. On that same day the fastest rider averaged 45.17km/h, so I thought I was going pretty well.
Jump forward 15 years and the advances in technology, position, gearing, nutrition, training and coaching have been significant. Aerodynamics for the bike, the helmet, the clothing have certainly changed and the position on the bike has developed over the years. Even if you don’t have access to a windtunnel, emulating the advanced positions of the pro riders has allowed riders to improve over time.
Three of your fellow club members have been concentrating on the ITT for a while and have had some considerable success recently.
Jarred Anderson, Sophia Sammons and Kate Bonner all competed in the ATTA event on Good Friday last week.
Jarred broke the course record clocking a 23:55 for the 20km event averaging a whopping 50.16km/h. After an excellent outing at the National Road Race this year, where he was in the break getting significant television time, he has gone on to keep smashing out the wins. What is even more impressive is that unlike some of the pro’s he competes against, he still holds down a full time job and you can see on Strava the intense trainer sessions he does before work.
Also at the ATTA, Sophia Sammons broke the women’s course record with a blistering 26:28 averaging 45.32km/h. That was slightly faster than the fastest man back 15 years ago when I got my PB. Kate Bonner also clocked a PB that day with a 28:35 averaging 41.96km/h, which looking at the numbers above, was also faster than my PB ever.
Sophia and Kate then travelled to Queensland to compete in the Oceania Games where Sophia won gold in the U23 ITT and Kate came 4th in the Elite Women’s ITT.
So if you see them riding around Perth when they return or they flash by on social media, give them a congratulations. Photo: @ryanpretorius_visuals
Other Information
2026 and 2027 international trips –
SPR is again looking to organise trips overseas after the success of ones to the Italian & Swiss Alps 2025 and The Grand Alps France 2024.
• Northern Spain Aug/Sept 2026
• Japan April 2027
Please complete this brief EOI for either or both tours
Note: no SPR member nor the club benefit from the organising of these trips – it is intended to extend the cycling experience with fellow cyclists
Tour de Cowaramup 18th Oct –
The Tour de Cowaramup charity road bike event is on again this year on Sunday 18 th October. Three distances 60km (piccolo), 85km (medio) and 130km (gran) with funds going to assist men suffering from Prostate Cancer.
Start/ finish: Juniper Estate
Register for early bird $105 until 30 April 2026; normal entry $125 until 30th September, late registration $145-$180. If no SPR team already established when you go to register, please set up a SPR team based on the distance eg SPR-Gran, SPR-Medio or SPR-Piccolo so others can join you.
We will look to book accommodation for three nights at the Leeuwin Apartments as per last year, cost to be advised; in Friday 16th October out Monday 19th October; shorter stay if preferred for the same price. You can register your interest for accommodation via this EOI.
For further queries please contact Carol or Danielle via comdev@southperthrouleurs.com.au.
Upcoming Racing
- Tiger Tracks Gravel 2026 – Day 1 – Time Trial (11 Apr)
- Tiger Tracks Gravel 2026 – Day 2 – GRoad Race (12 Apr)
- ATTA 160km Championship at Northlink (19 Apr)
- Midland – Stan Gurney Criterium (25 Apr)
Juniors
Welcome to our new junior Henry who rode with us last week for the first time. Henry rode a distance of 15 km for the first time! Well done and great effort!
The training program for this week is:
Saturday (11/4): we will meet at the Garvey Park in Ascott (https://maps.app.goo.gl/xsCk98jR6Sfo1a2D9) at 11am for our CX training session. This session is ideal for beginners and experience juniors. For organisational purposes, please let us know if you plan to attend—especially if it’s your first time.
Please check our WhatsApp SPR junior channel for any last minute call.
With the daylight limitations our Wed evening rides are paused until October.
Events coming up
CX series. Check the calendar here: https://wacyclocross.org/racing/calendar/
From the Ride Coordinator
We’re putting safety reminders in the spotlight this week. Please:
• Call obstacles
• Don’t half wheel; ride shoulder to shoulder
• Don’t cross wheels (i.e. wheels overlapping)
• Hold your line on roundabouts & corners
• Don’t run red lights, call “SPLIT”
Also, try to keep group sizes to around 15-16 max riders. Or split groups evenly if fewer than 30 riders.
Enjoy the fine weather this weekend!
Saturday 11th April
Ride starts under the Narrows (City side) at 5:30am
Early lap – earlybird 40.93km spr special
All rides start at Coode St carpark at 7:00am
Development group (*) – novice shelley 36.06km spr saturday
Transition: Trans Abernethy
http://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/87300033
Fast & Main: Abernethy
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/87299452
(*) Please note that our Ride Leaders will adjust the composition and route for Development, Transition and Main 4 to suit people and conditions on the day.
Sunday 12th April
Rides start at Coode St carpark at 7:00am
Social River Loop – approx. 50km
Short Hills (Social): Les Obs
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/87300200
Short Hills: Les Obs
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/87300200
Long Hills: Welsh Weir Zigzag
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/87300459
Monday 13th April
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am
south stock 33.76km SPR Monday
Tuesday 14th April
Ride starts under the Narrows (City side) at 5:30am
Two groups – solid roll through vs relaxed pace
SPR Tuesday 36.37km (river ride)
Wednesday 15th April
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am
No drop recovery ride
SPR Wednesday 35.3km (2023 Edition)
Thursday 16th April
Ride starts under the Narrows (City side) at 5:30am
Three groups fast paced roll-throughs
SPR Thursday 37.26km (cott & freo)
Friday 17th April
Ride starts under the Narrows (South Perth side) at 5:30am
SPR Friday Alternate 38.43km (Shelley)