Nowra Velo Club

Race Report Rd 5 Teams Challenge Series

Mon, 14 May 2012 10:54:03 +1000

Race Report Round 5 of the 2012 Macdonald International Consulting

Stuart, Lowe, Oaten, Miller and Schinella take victories.

Round 5 of the popular NVC Team Challenge series presented by McDonald International Consulting saw 47 riders face up to the starter on a windy cool morning for graded scratch races at the Flinders Estate course. With the series starting to hot up, most teams had a majority of their roster present to gather as many points possible as the year long series usually goes down to the wire.

A Grade saw 8 riders take to the course for 60 minutes plus 2 laps. With a mixture of youth and experience it was going to be an interesting battle and from the gun the youngsters stirred up the race. Jacob Stuart (Access) attacked on the first lap and made a break of about 100 metres which he held for a few laps. Wily veteran Mark Fenner, still recovering from a nasty crash the day before, was active on the front of the chase group trying to keep the gap manageable. The high pace saw Shane Visser, Andrew Jarman and Morgan Clarke drop back as the pace up the climb took its toll. Stuart was brought back to the fold and a core group including Matt Wright and Rich O,Connell stayed together for the majority of the race. With 2 laps remaining O,Connell also succumbed to the pace and it was up to Wright, Fenner and Stuart t contest the sprint. With 2 corners remaining Stuart attacked hard and held onto his advantage to the finish with Fenner and Wright finalising the podium

B1 had 12 riders hit the course this morning and, with some notable absences from this grade, was on paper going to be the most open race of the day. The bunch stayed largely together with Phil Rice (Bomo Vet/ Coffeelicious) ,Phil Jones (NVC) and Godfrey Green (MacDonald Elec/Nowra Cycles) active on the front of the race. As the speed picked up Jose Pereira (Optus) pulled out and Jourdain Vitiello (Bomo Vet/Coffeelicious) suffered an untimely puncture. With no one able to make a break due to a combination of the wind and the high average speed a bunch sprint was always going to decide the outcome. Coming into the finale and with no recognised sprinter in the bunch the field was spread all over the road, coming out on top though with a good finishing kick was Andrew Lowe ( MacDonald Elect/Nowra Cycles). Hot on his heels were his team mate Godfrey Green and Richard Vitiello (Optus).

The field for B2 like A grade had a mixture of riders, ranging from experienced riders such as Ian Kielly (MacDonald Elec/Nowra Cycles), to regular visiting juniors from the Illawarra Club Dylan and Sean Oaten. Again this race was affected by the prevailing conditions as the strong headwind made a lasting attack virtually impossible with most riders content to sit and hide as much as they could in the bunch. As the pace increased the days first casualty was Paul Nancekivell (Optus) suffering from a lack of training miles. Again as in the some of the other grades riders were going to hedge their bets on their ability in the sprint which was a disadvantage for some the lighter riders giving the nature of the finish. However in a surprise result Dylan Oaten on his restricted gears positioned himself well in the bunch and benefiting from a lead-out was able to kick on to a great win upstaging Nick Sims (Access) and Ian Kielly (MacDonald Elec/Nowra Cycles).

C Grade started with 14 riders today, the biggest grade, and with the prevailing weather conditions expectations were that a compact bunch through to the finish would be the outcome. However a small break slipped away going into V & C Corner on lap 2 with Brendon Miller and Bruce Jenkins (both Hanlons), Dave Gray & Jade Colligan (both Access) and Rod Pierce (Optus). A brief hesitation in the bunch and the break was clear, with Pierce dropping back to the bunch after another lap. This four rider break hovered at about 100 metres for another twenty minutes with Michael Thompson (Gordon McDonald) and the Bomo Vet Hospital team of Mark Bagnall, Gary Bryce, John Cullity and Geoff Lockhart doing the chasing. Then Bagnall attacked and soloed across to the break as Jenkins was dropping off. With Bagnall making contact the pace in the break went up and with three teams represented up front the chase slowed. Another win for Miller from Gray, Colligan and Bagnall while Bryce attacked the chasing bunch two kilometre out and held on for fifth ahead of Jenkins, Ingrid Holland (Optus), Cullity, Lockhart, Pierce, Doug Holland (Access), Thompson, Greg Showell (Access) and Martin Atkins (Optus).

D Grade to day had the smallest field with 5 riders taking to the course. On a windy day Flinders can be a tough course and early on Kate Dark (Hanlons) and John Penkaitis (Bomo Vet/Coffeelicious) were dropped and faced a tough lonely ride. Full credit to them for sticking it out and finishing the race for their teams. Up front the other 3 Lawrence Schinella (Access), Brian Corrigan (Gordon Mac/Nowra Cycles), and Matt Clarke (Optus) rode mainly together for the duration of the event. With no one strong enough to take charge in the tough conditions they stayed together for the duration each planning on how they were going to take the victory. Coming into the final 300 metres the sprint opened up with Schinella's legs the freshest in the sprint, with Corrigan and Clarke finishing in the minor positions.

Access Storage have been the team winners of the last three rounds of the MacDonald International 2012 teams challenge series and now move into the overall lead on 160 points. Gordon McDonald Electrical/Nowra Cycles hold second position with 155 and Optus Nowra are on 140 points in third place. Hubert Driehuis (TLE Electrical) holds a narrow lead in the individual points with 135 and just ahead of Andrew Lowe (Gordon McDonald) who has 127 points. Brendon Miller has moved up to third with 125 points.

Next Sunday, graded scratch races on the Flinders Estate course starting at 9 am. Marshall team is Access Storage.

Rd 5 2012 MacDONALD INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING Teams Challenge ? LEADER BOARD ? TEAMS

Sun, 13 May 2012 19:25:17 +1000

Following Rd 5 of the 2012 MacDONALD INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING Teams Challenge the LEADER BOARD for the combined teams is as follows -

Rd 5 Race Results (Combined Team Score)

1st Access Storage 135
2nd Gordon Mac Elec/Nowra CC 126
3rd Optus Nowra 100
4th BVH/Coffee?liscious 77
5th Hanlons Windows 71
M TLE Electrical 0

Overall Team Placing?s to Date after Rd 5

1st Access Storage 160
2nd Gordon Mac Elec/Nowra CC 155
3rd Optus Nowra 140
3rd TLE Electrical 130
5th Hanlons Windows 85
6th BVH/Coffee?liscious 80

Reminder, 1st = 50 points, 2nd = 40 points, 3rd = 30 points, 4th = 20 points, 5th = 10 points ? points will be shared if teams finish equal on the day

Cheers
Dave Morris
NVC President

Rd 5 2012 MacDONALD INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING Teams Challenge ? Bomaderry Gym Cup LEADER BOARD ? INDIVIDUALS

Sun, 13 May 2012 19:21:18 +1000

Following Rd 5 of the MacDONALD INTERNATIONAL CONSULTING Teams Challenge ? Bomaderry Gym Cup LEADER BOARD for Individuals is as follows -

Pstn Rider No. Rider Name Grade Team Points
1 53 Hubert Driehuis C TLE Electrical 135
2 75 Andrew Lowe B2 Gordon Mac Elec/Nowra CC 127
3 64 Brendon Miller C Hanlons Windows 125
4 71 Godfrey Green B2 Gordon Mac Elec/Nowra CC 112
5 51 Mark Williams B2 TLE Electrical 108
6 34 Jacob Stuart A Access Storage 101
7 77 Brian Corrigan D Gordon Mac Elec/Nowra CC 93
8 44 Jade Colligan C Access Storage 92
9 14 Richard Vitiello B1 Optus Nowra 88
10 18 Ingrid Holland C Optus Nowra 88
11 42 Dave Gray D Access Storage 88
12 20 Matthew Clark D Optus Nowra 87
13 68 Matt Wright A Gordon Mac Elec/Nowra CC 86
14 37 Dion Carter B1 Access Storage 82
15 40 Doug Holland C Access Storage 82
16 11 Andrew Jarman A Optus Nowra 79
17 26 Mark Robbins B2 BVH/Coffee?liscious 76
18 72 Ian Kielly B2 Gordon Mac Elec/Nowra CC 70
19 43 Lawrence Schinella D Access Storage 66
20 28 Gary Bryce B2 BVH/Coffee?liscious 63
21 65 Michelle Harris C Hanlons Windows 62
22 70 Peter Kastelein B1 Gordon Mac Elec/Nowra CC 60
23 55 David Kerr D TLE Electrical 60
24 21 Scott Barrett C Optus Nowra 59
25 17 Paul Nancekevill B2 Optus Nowra 58
26 76 Michael Thompson C Gordon Mac Elec/Nowra CC 56
27 23 Paul Mackie A BVH/Coffee?liscious 53
28 54 Patrick McSwiney C TLE Electrical 52
29 22 Richard O?Connell A BVH/Coffee?liscious 51
30 15 Jose Pereira B1 Optus Nowra 51
31 19 Rod Pierce C Optus Nowra 49
32 49 Mick Crutch B1 TLE Electrical 47
33 47 Darren Pretious A TLE Electrical 46
34 30 Mark Bagnall C BVH/Coffee?liscious 42
35 46 Matt Carmellotti A TLE Electrical 39
36 66 Kate Darke D Hanlons Windows 39
37 61 Steve Daley B2 Hanlons Windows 37
38 38 Nick Sims B2 Access Storage 36
39 32 John Penkaitis D BVH/Coffee?liscious 36
40 29 John Cullity C BVH/Coffee?liscious 34
41 48 Tim Devlin B1 TLE Electrical 32
42 41 Greg Showell C Access Storage 32
43 63 Bruce Jenkins C Hanlons Windows 32
44 12 David Morris B1 Optus Nowra 30
45 25 Joe Fenech B1 BVH/Coffee?liscious 30
46 27 Jourdain Vitiello B2 BVH/Coffee?liscious 30
47 57 Scott Thompson A Hanlons Windows 29
48 35 Henry Wakeford B1 Access Storage 29
49 59 Martin Tomasini B1 Hanlons Windows 29
50 74 Kon Kinnas B2 Gordon Mac Elec/Nowra CC 26
51 31 Geoff Lockhart C BVH/Coffee?liscious 24
52 24 Phil Rice B1 BVH/Coffee?liscious 20
53 39 Jack Stewart B2 Access Storage 20
54 62 Frank Neri B2 Hanlons Windows 20
55 50 Lawrence Byrne B1 TLE Electrical 14
56 58 Darrell Merange B1 Hanlons Windows 6
57 13 Andrew Rutty B1 Optus Nowra 5
58 16 Martin Atkins B2 Optus Nowra 3
59 73 Brad Hill B2 Gordon Mac Elec/Nowra CC 2
60 36 Mark Emerton B1 Access Storage 1
61 52 David Hunt B2 TLE Electrical 1
62 69 Greg Molony B1 Gordon Mac Elec/Nowra CC 0
63 60 Paul Harvey B2 Hanlons Windows 0

Cheers
Dave Morris
NVC President

MacDonald International #5 Results

Sun, 13 May 2012 14:02:37 +1000

MACDONALD INTERNATIONAL 2012 TEAMS CHALLENGE SERIES, FLINDERS INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX, 13TH MAY 2012.

A Grade 60 minutes + 2 laps.
1. Jacob Stuart Access Storage
2. Mark Fenner Torq/BSS
3. Matt Wright Gordon McDonald Elec/Nowra Cycles
4. Andrew Jarman Optus Nowra
5. Richad O?Connell Bom Vet Hospital/Coffeeliscious
6. Tristan Ward Nowra Velo
7. Morgan Clarke Illawarra CC
Dnf, Shane Visser Illawarra CC

B1 Grade 50 minutes + 2 laps
1. Andrew Lowe Gordon McDonald Elec/Nowra Cycles
2. Godfrey Green Gordon McDonald Elec/Nowra Cycles
3. Richard Vitiello Optus Nowra
4. Martin Tomasini Hanlons Windows
5. Dion Carter Access Storage
6. Peter Kastelein Gordon McDonald Elec/Nowra Cycles
7. Henry Wakeford Access Storage
8. Mark Emerton Access Storage
9. Phil Jones Nowra Velo
Dnf, Jourdain Vitiello (Bom Vet Hospital/Coffeeliscious) (Punct)
Jose Pereira ( Optus Nowra), Phil Rice (Bom Vet Hospital/ Coffeeliscious).
B2 Grade 50 minutes + 2 laps
1. Dylan Oaten Illawarra CC
2. Nick Sims Access Storage
3. Ian Kielly Gordon McDonald Elec/Nowra Cycles
4. Scott Barrett Optus Nowra
5. Mel Kilby Nowra Velo
6. Mark Robbins Bom Vet Hospital/Coffeeliscious
7. Paul Nancekivell Optus Nowra

C Grade 45 minutes + 2 laps
1. Brendon Miller Hanlons Windows
2. Dave Gray Access Storage
3. Jade Colligan Access Storage
4. Mark Bagnall Bom Vet Hospital/Coffeeliscious
5. Gary Bryce Bom Vet Hospital/Coffeeliscious
6. Bruce Jenkins Hanlons Windows
7. Ingrid Holland Optus Nowra
8. John Cullity Bom Vet Hospital/Coffeeliscious
9. Geoff Lockhart Bom Vet Hospital/Coffeeliscious
10. Rod Pierce Optus Nowra
11. Doug Holland Access Storage
12. Michael Thompson Gordon McDonald Elec/Nowra Cycles
13. Greg Showell Access Storage
14. Martin Atkins Optus Nowra

D Grade 30 minutes + 2 laps
1. Lawrence Schinella Access Storage
2. Brian Corrigan Gordon McDonald Elec/Nowra Cycles
3. Matt Clark Optus Nowra
4. Kate Darke Hanlons Windows
5. John Penkaitis Bom Vet Hospital/Coffeeliscious

Round Five Teams
1. Access Storage 135.
2. Gordon McDonald Electrical/Nowra Cycles 126
3. Optus Nowra 100
4. Bomaderry Vet Hospital/Coffeeliscious 77
5. Hanlons Windows 71
Marshall Team, TLE Electrical.

Teams points overall after round 5:
1. Access Storage 160
2. Gordon McDonald Electrical/Nowra Cycles 155
3. Optus Nowra 140
4. TLE Electrical 130
5. Hanlons Windows 85
6. Bomaderry Vet Hospital/Coffeeliscious

Individual points overall after round 5:
1. Hubert Driehuis (TLE Electrical) 135
2. Andrew Lowe (Gordon McDonald Elec/Nowra Cycles) 127 3. Brendon Miller (Hanlons Windows) 125
4. Godfrey Green (Gordon McDonald Elec/Nowra Cycles 112
5. Mark Williams (TLE Electrical) 108

Goulburn Interclub report

Sun, 06 May 2012 13:51:49 +1000

The Optus Nowra Velo Club scored a win and a number of top ten placings at the Goulburn Interclub last Saturday.

Eighteen riders displayed the Optus green, aqua and white club colours in two races where Dave Gray continued his winning ways by taking out the 46 kilometre division two handicap event.

Gray started on a reasonably generous handicap along with club mate John Cullity and twelve others riders from various south eastern clubs.
This group had gathered in the leaders who had started from four and eight minutes ahead to be in the race lead at half distance and then held all chasing groups at bay.

Gray snapped up the win with a late surge on the uphill finish where Optus Nowra Velo riders Lawry Schinella and John Cullity took fourth and eighth in the thirteen rider finish.

A bunch of twenty riders finished just over a minute later with other Optus NVC riders Nick Sims, Hubert Driehuis, Bruce Jenkins, Doug Holland and Michael Thompson in that group.

Matt Wright (Optus NVC) placed fourth in a hectic division one race finish. Close by and in the top ten were Mark Willliams and Michael Crutch and Phil Rice, Godfrey Green, Tim Devlin and Richard O?Connell
were included in the same finishing bunch.

Scott Thompson and Jake Stuart (both Optus NVC) were right on the heels of the leading bunch as their second scratch bunch staged a race long battle with scratch for fastest time. They lost to the experience of Dick Vollebregt and company by 30 seconds.

With the win and seven riders in the top ten placings over the two events Optus Nowra Velo Club goes to the top of the club point score.

Round two of the south east region interclub series will be hosted by the Illawarra Cycle Club at Dapto on June 2nd.

Coolamon Classic 20th May 2012

Wed, 02 May 2012 20:51:37 +1000

Anyone interesting in racing the Coolamon Classic on Sunday 20th May. 65km handicap race starting at 10am in Coolamon, near Wagga. I am thinking of making the journey and staying Saturday night in Wagga.

Marshal on May 13

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:58:39 +1000

If anyone is not able to race but wants to witness the action of TC 5 at Flinders on May 13 and could take my marshal spot, I would be very grateful. If you can help me out please give me a call on 0422 837 287. Thanks Dave Kerr.

2012 ITT Club Championships Race Report

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 22:54:25 +1000

Gold for Fenner in the Nowra Velo Club?s Individual Time Trial (ITT) Championships for 2012.
Last Sunday 25 riders braved cold, wet and windy conditions over the 15 kilometre Individual Time Trial Course for the Club?s Annual ITT Championships. This race is all about getting the fastest time, which sounds pretty simple, however it is a discipline of cycling that rewards those that pay a great deal of attention to detail.
After missing this event last September due to back surgery, Mark Fenner (Torq/BSS) returned to the course in an attempt to reclaim the title from last year?s winner and Torq/BSS team mate Damian Mason. Both Fenner and Mason have dominated this event in the past three years but knew that this year was going to be super close with up and coming youngster and fellow Torq/BSS team mate, James Rix, hot on their heels. Fenner embraced the conditions and pushed through the pain that he was suffering after injuring his back again earlier in the week to be very close to setting a new course record and personal best, with a time of 19 minutes and 14 seconds. Mason and Rix both claimed the silver posting a 19 minute and 35 second ride and Matt Wright took the bronze by 2 seconds from Scott Thompson with a time of 20 minute and 38 seconds.
In B grade, Steve Daley, who last year surprised and shocked the majority with an outstanding ride in the C grade championship, came out and did it again, posting a super time of 21 minutes and 56 seconds to take the gold from last year?s winner Henry Wakeford. Wakeford with a time of 22 minutes and 35 seconds claimed the silver with Mark Williams edging out Mel Kilby from the podium by 3 seconds, doing a 22 minute and 57 second ride to get bronze.
Mark Bagnell posted a winning time of 24 minute and 52 second in the C grade championship, with the ever consistent Hubert Driehuis claiming silver in a time of 25 minutes and 7 seconds. Greg Showell rode the course in 25 minute and 30 seconds to take the bronze.
In D grade, Brian Corrigan showed his return to form posting an outstanding time of 24 minutes and 20 seconds taking a convincing win. Kate Darke competing in her first ITT championships secured silver with a 26 minute and 46 second ride and Matt Clark also racing his first ITT claimed the bronze in a time of 27 minutes and 2 seconds.
Thankyou to all that came and volunteered their time to marshal the event ensuring that the riders were able to race in a safe environment.
There will be no local racing next weekend due to the running of the first 2012 Interclub Series Handicap Race held in Breadalbane. Good luck to all the Nowra Velo members travelling across to compete in this event.

Results 2012 ITT Championship

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 12:30:00 +1000

Optus Nowra Velo Club 2012 Individual Time Trial Championship
14 kilometres Braidwood Road (MR92) 29th April 2012.

1. Mark Fenner (A) 19 minutes 14.06 seconds
2. Damian Mason(A) 19 minutes 35.29 seconds
2. James Rix(A) 19 minutes 35.29 seconds
3. Matt Wright (A) 20 minutes 38.54 seconds
4. Scott Thompson(A) 20 minutes 40.67 seconds
5. Jacob Stuart (A) 21 minutes 36.03 seconds
6. Tristan Ward (A) 21 minutes 44.18 seconds
7. Steve Daley (B) 21 minutes 56.66 seconds
8. Henry Wakeford (B) 22 minutes 35.47 seconds
9. Mark Williams (B) 22 minutes 57.03 seconds
10. Melanie Kilby (B) 23 minutes 00.62 seconds
11. Joe Fenech (B) 23 minutes 10.56 seconds
12. Peter Kastelien (B) 23 minutes 17.22 seconds
13. Andrew Lowe (B) 23 minutes 20.34 seconds
14. Brian Corrigan (D) 24 minutes 20.40 seconds
15. Godfrey Green (B) 24 minutes 22.37 seconds
16. Mark Bagnall (C) 24 minutes 52.02 seconds
17. Hubert Driehuis (C) 25 minutes 07.36 seconds
18. Frank Neri (B) 25 minutes 16.97 seconds
19. Greg Showell (C) 25 minutes 30.30 seconds
20. Jack Stewart (B) 25 minutes 39.63 seconds
21. Michael Thompson (C) 26 minutes 14.76 seconds
22. Jade Colligan (C) 26 minutes 20.89 seconds
23. Kate Darke (D) 26 minutes 46.40 seconds
24. Matt Clark (D) 27 minutes 02.14 seconds
25. John Penkaitis (D) 28 minutes 58.43 seconds

A Grade: 1, Mark Fenner. =2, James Rix & Damian Mason. 3, Matt Wright.
B Grade: 1, Steve Daley. 2, Henry Wakeford. 3, Mark Williams.
C Grade: 1, Mark Bagnall. 2, Hubert Driehuis. 3, Greg Showell.
D Grade: 1, Brian Corrigan. 2, Kate Darke. 3, Matt Clark.

Conditions: Windy with showers.

Report from 2012 Blaney to Bathurst Cycling Weekend

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 21:22:15 +1000

Nowra Velo Club was well represented last weekend 21-22 April 2012 at the Annual Blaney to Bathurst Cycling Weekend. Those that made the long journey included the youngster?s, Jake Stuart, Scott Thompson, Morgan Clarke and James Rix. Flying solo in the Women?s department was myself and then there were the mature males (well not so mature for one, hey Fenz!) of Mark Fenner, Damian Mason and Richard O?Connell.
The weekend kicked off Saturday morning with the State Hill Climb Championships. In the Junior under 19 males, Jake finished with a fantastic 4th place, Scott 9th and Morgan 15th. Richard O?Connell racing the event for the first time managed to place top ten in Men?s Masters 4 claiming 9th place. Well done guys.
In the afternoon, racing continued with the criteriums. First off was yours truly in Women?s Division 2. There were 20 starters making for a good fast race and everyone seemed happy to keep the bunch together despite the fact that somebody should have stuck it to them. Position out of the last corner was an absolute key for this race and I wasn?t quite in the spot I wanted to be. I drove it hard in the sprint with possibly my best sprint finish to date to grab 5th place. There was only .6 of a second between 3rd and 5th and only .1 of sec between 4th and 5th. Very close!
The next race was the Men?s Aces with all the teams lining up for a tough hit out. Wearing the Team Torq/BSS sponsored kit, Fenz, Damo and James mixed it with the GPM, Flying Kangaroo and other NRS teams, getting a small taste of what is to come this year. The pace was fast and furious and knowing that the Team event the next day would require him to be in good condition, Damo decided to save his legs and let Fenz and young Rixy have all the fun with the big guns after finishing his fifth lap. Fenz finish 17th and James just on his wheel in 18th place.
Richard O?Connell raced in Men?s Division 3 finishing 45th and Scott and Jake both raced in Men?s Division 2 finishing 17th and 19th to finish a long day of racing. It was then off to our accommodation for recovery, a big feed and a good night?s sleep for the big one.
First up on the start line on a fresh Sunday morning in Blaney with a total of 285 starters, was team Torq/BSS entered in the Extreme Challenge. The guys seemed rather stressed prior to lining up at the start but also pumped and ready to chase a good overall team result. With a mammoth 162km ahead of them, similar to what they will be racing for the NRS the guys rolled out for a loop through Milthorpe then back through Blaney onto the Long course for the remainder of the distance. As they passed through Blaney a good break had already been established with Michael Troy of Torq/BSS well positioned in this group. The guys finished the grueling event with some great individual results but best of all secured 3rd place in the Teams category. James was the 1st 17-18 year old male finisher and Fenz was 4th fastest in the men?s 35-49 year olds. Not a bad result for the first team outing.
The Long course of 110km had the remainder of the Nowra Velo members in it, all at the start of the field, kicking off with the 40+kph group. With over 800 starters in this distance the waves were still very large making it quite chaotic especially with only part road closures. I was quite happy hanging pretty close to Scott, Jake, Morgan and the NRS girls until a car travelling in the opposite direction cause the peloton to go from using the whole road to only half of it and I was caught smack bang in the middle getting pushed into bikes and having bikes pushed into me. A rather scary experience and one that I am not quite sure how I managed to stay on the bike in, but I did. It cost me dearly and I lost contact with the fast bunch. I stopped to offer assistance to Scott who unfortunately had the bad luck of puncturing in the first 5kms ending his day prematurely. About another 5kms down the road I was wishing that was me with the puncture. The almost crash was messing with my head and I found myself more comfortable riding by myself for about 60kms! Whilst I was battling with my mental demons, young Jake was still up front mixing it with the big guns such as Ben Kirsten. Morgan had also been unlucky and punctured early. As the main bunch of the Extreme Challenge were climbing Rocklea Mountain, the front of the 110km course managed to catch and pass them, with Jake still up there looking good. He finished in the top 30, being the second 17-18 year old male to finish. Awesome work Jake.
I continued to get passed by many bunches and was feeling quite low about my performance. Truly feeling every little tingle of pain. I finally made it to the base of Rocklea, having hitched a ride with a large bunch to get there. The pain was then gone, I found that climbing Rocklea, I was in my element, passing every single rider in the bunch I was in and the stragglers of bunches up ahead, giving me back the drive to actually finish. I passed the 1km to KOM sign and had about 500m to go when riders started turning around and descending. There had been a nasty accident near the KOM and the officials were turning us all around to complete the remainder of the course on the Short course. I finished after 3hrs 20mins in the saddle in about 390th position and was just glad to get off the bike at the end.
All in all it was a big weekend and a great experience. Some quality results for the Nowra Club particularly the juniors and a great way to kick off the season for the Nowra contingent of the Torq/BSS team. A huge thanks to the family members that came along and supported the riders. Hats off to Rob Rix for assisting with photography, spares, feed stations and everything else that we asked for assistance with, thanks mate. Also to the Mason family for accommodating a large portion of us and transporting us to and from venues when required.