Mudgee’s Ayden Toovey can now tick off a bucket list item as 2019 was the year he competed in his first Tour Down Under.
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Although no stranger to a tough course, Toovey says to be on the world tour is something else.
“Obviously it’s a massive step up to any sort of racing I’ve ever done, there’s no harder level than the world tour,” Toovey said.
It’s sort of another level of racing with the world tour guys, it’s the peak of the sport really. There’s no higher level which is pretty awesome.
- Ayden Toovey
“Mixing with the top level guys felt really good. It was an awesome experience.”
Four years ago the young gun watched on as fellow riders took to the demanding course, but says “it was just unreal” to be surrounded by the atmosphere the event is host to.
“The atmosphere on some of the big climbs was just unreal,” he said.
To be on the other side racing it was quite a surreal feeling, an awesome one nonetheless.
Toovey’s first stint at the Santos Tour Down Under was at the people’s choice classic on Sunday January 13 - the first race of the season for his team UniSA.
Heading into the sixth stage, Toovey’s role was to position Chris Harper and Dylan Sunderland with the best chance of taking the overall victory.
“My job was to try and help on the hilltop finishes to be up as far as possible,” Ayden said.
UniSA finished in 12th overall, while Toovey placed 73rd in the final general classification, 26th in the young riders category, and 24th in the best young riders classification.
But, there’s no rest for the wicked as he prepares to race in Race Melbourne on January 24, followed by Cadels on January 27.
“I’ve got quite a busy January,” he said.
“In the months leading up to it [TDU] I’ve been training extremely hard all year round, but also do massive blocks and it just built up and make sure your body can sustain the intensity and load of racing.
“It definitely takes a toll after a while.
We just had a few easy days now so we can try and let the body recoup and regenerate so we can sort of destroy it again.
Jay-Anna Sleeman
Reporter for the Western Advocate. First began as a sports journalist with ACM in 2018 before moving on to cover news and court.
Reporter for the Western Advocate. First began as a sports journalist with ACM in 2018 before moving on to cover news and court.
