Well here we are again for another big year for Armidale Cycling Club. Happy new year to everyone – a lot of riders out and about at the moment which is good to see. Keep up the good work and remember that it’s just as much fun riding in winter as in Armidale as it is in summer. Well, maybe…

January has been a big month for Armidale cyclists, with Mitch Bullen winning a bronze medal in the team sprint at the Youth Olympics. This event popped up all of a sudden but will be good preparation for Mitch who is heading off to the national track titles in early February.

Geoff Straub rode in the support races at the Jayco Bay Cycling Classics, getting a second place on stage 4, and finishing 10th overall, just behind Sam Spokes of Tamworth.

He then went on to ride in the U23 road race at the national championships finishing in 32nd place against some quality opposition, including the winner Jack Bobridge who went on to star in the Tour Down Under.

Straub was last seen hopping on a plane to ride in the Tour of Wellington in New Zealand.

But the really big news was Peter McDonald winning the road race at the national championships. To win against the likes of top professionals like Michael Rodgers and Adam Hansen is a great achievement and probably surprised a lot of people. But maybe not if you’ve seen the way Peter rides, being strong on hilly courses like the Mt Buningyong circuit used for the nationals, and always willing to back himself and have a go. A great example for us all.

Peter has just followed up by winning the Tour of Wellington, the same race that Straub was competing in. Next stop will be the Tour of Qatar.