As we enter the business end of an already successful 2018 season for InForm MAKE, the hunt for the podium remains at the forefront of the team’s mind.

With one VRS race remaining, the Tour of Bright, both the team classification and individual rankings have already been wrapped up by InForm MAKE. Success has been prominent throughout the whole series, largely through Raphael Freienstein, who leads the series heading into the final race.

The VRS acts as a stepping stone for younger riders to gain the experience and get the miles in the legs to succeed at the NRS level and beyond. The proof is in the pudding, with Carter Turnbull competing at VRS, NRS and now a Junior World Championship in 2019. InForm MAKE Sporting director, Pat Lane, highlighted the importance of the VRS to the squad.

“We put a massive impetus on the VRS this year and used it to make sure the team was well drilled, when we arrived at the NRS season. We hit the ground running and dominated the series and have carried that momentum into a great NRS season so far. I really believe the VRS is the best racing for our younger rider’s development”.

The Tour of Bright takes place from November 30th to December 2nd.

The NRS is getting towards the pointy end with only three races remaining. As it stands, InForm MAKE are in a super position heading into the final races of the season. The current ruling states the winner of the team classification in the 2018 NRS receives the management responsibilities, and automatically qualify five riders for the UNISA team for the 2019 Tour Down Under. The same ruling applies for the team that finishes second in the NRS, but for the 2019 Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race (CEGORR).

Stage wins at both Battle Recharge and Great South Coast highlight the impressive season for InForm MAKE, with plenty more chances being presented in the final months of the season.

Currently in second place in the NRS team classification, InForm MAKE have teams hot on their heels and will have to be consistent in the remaining Tour of Gippsland, Tour of Tasmania, and Giro Della Donna to land the lion share of spots for Australia’s biggest one day race, the CEGORR. Lane is excited about the late season challenges that still lie ahead.

“It would be amazing if we could maintain 2nd until the end of the year. We started the year with big goals in the NRS and after losing a few riders to still be sitting in 2nd is something that makes me really proud of the boys.”

The parcour in the remaining tours is far from a pancake profile, especially the Tour of Tasmania, where packing your climbing legs is a must. Rain jackets and leg warmers are advised to be in the suitcase. Lane is confident that InForm MAKE have the resources to be competitive and remain in the box seat for the CEGORR.

“Raph (Freienstein) & Carter (Turnbull) have been amazing so far this season & I’m excited to see Tom Jones step back into the team for the final few hilly tours.”

As always, the focus of InForm MAKE is to develop riders, and create an environment that facilitates growth. Lane is excited about the prospect of reaching the high hanging fruit but strongly reaffirms the team’s strong development values.

“The main focus is giving the guys a good platform to develop, the Cadels (CEGORR) spots come more as a bonus and would be a great reward for their hard work. The progression of InForm MAKE over the last four of five years has been very impressive. The thought of seeing our young riders in a World Tour event gives me Goosebumps.”

Current VRS Men’s Team Standings

1st- InForm MAKE - 702 points

2nd- Drapac EF Cannondale Holistic Dev. Team- 312 points

3rd- SASI- 110 points

4th – Nero KOM Racing- 102 points

Current NRS Men’s Team Standing

1st - Bennelong Swiss Wellness Cycling Team- 1510 points

2nd - InForm MAKE- 578 points

3rd -Australian Cycling Academy- Ride Sunshine Coast- 563 points

4th - Oliver’s Real Food Racing- 504 points