Henk Vogels has been Western Australia's most successful road cyclist ever. With an exciting career including participation in the Tour de France, top 10 finishes in such European Classics as Paris-Roubaix, Paris-Tours and Gent-Wevelgem, a Commonwealth Games gold medal, US Pro Championship, Australian National Road Championship and perhaps the biggest achievement, coming back from a near fatal crash to make a successful return to European racing, Henk is a superb role model for any junior cyclist.

The Henk Vogels Cycling Foundation was founded in 2002 to provide promising elite, disadvantaged and disabled Western Australian cyclists with funds to prepare for and compete in national or international cycling competitions so that they are given an opportunity to make a mark on the Cycling World and achieve the levels attained by Henk Vogels.

2007 was an incredible year for the Foundation, with the formation of the JETS (Junior Elite Talent Squad) program, in conjunction with Cycling WA, plus amazing results from many of its supported riders including Scott Sunderland, Adam Semple, Travis Meyer, Jason Holloway and Josie Tomic.

In addition, Henk Vogels Senior was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his services to cycling.

Stuart O'Grady attended our annual fundraising dinner, and we have a number of other initiatives in the pipeline, 2009 promises to deliver a further boost to the Foundation, cementing the success achieved so far and helping to expand the Foundation in order to deliver better services to our benificiaries in the future.

Above is a picture of the 2008 National Jnr Track Championships (left), 2008 National Snr Track Championships (Click to see larger versions).

Plan B Racing Team

Cycling WA and the Henk Vogels Cycling Foundation are pleased to announce the development of its newest High Performance Program, the Plan B Racing Team.

Objectives of the Team

• Provide a team pathway and support structure within WA for athletes to achieve their full potential in cycling at the elite level
• Achieve high performance team success at a State, National and International level
• Work closely with the WAIS Cycling Program to enhance delivery of the program and to meet shared performance measures
• Provide incentive opportunities for coaches, athletes and management staff within WA
• Engage sponsors to collaborately meet shared objectives and deliver results
• Promote cycling and team supporters to the WA community and provide a vehicle for attracting sponsors to the sport of cycling
• Increase the exposure of cycling in WA Actively contribute to increasing the number of cyclists in WA
• Develop athletes as role models for the sport by reinforcing values, conduct and responsibilities of all athletes and management staff

Team Members:

Males – Neil Manning, Jon Dunlop, Luke Durbridge, Henry Morley, Pat Gill, Doug Repacholi, Jordan Van Der Togt, Brad Hall, Anthony Giacoppo, Duane Johansen, Elliott Wells & Scott Sunderland

Females – Davina Summers, Melissa Hoskins, Claire McLean, Josie Tomic, Sarah Kent & Sally Robbins.

Sponsors:

Plan B Wealth Management, WAIS, Budget Forklifts, Sprint Design, Euroflex, Henk Vogels Cycling Foundation, Perth Integrated Health Clinic, Visionary Eyewear / Rudy Project.

For further information on the team, visit the Team Website: www.planbracing.com.au

News

The second part of the season is now really underway with a successsfull Tour of Georgia and a stage win there For the Toyota - United team, all of the guys have been riding well, and have had many victories.

But as for me, I have had a couple of wins, in the tour of the Gila, and some local criteriums in boulder which I may add are some of the hardest to win, as there are a lot of Pros living here.

I saw quite a lot of America in a great road trip from Altanta Goergia, to Silver City which was 1600 miles, big roads, big cars, big people and big steaks!!!!!, had a ball in the team bus, I wasn't allowed home as the family were really crook with a super infectious virus!

The next phase of the year is Philladelphia week and the Nature Valley Grand Prix, and then its mostly big criteriums and a short trip back home for some Tour De France breakfasts in Sydney Melbourne and Brisbane.

Stay Tuned

Henk

Facing Fear at Fitchburg
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