While Sam Jenner and Sam Munday were busy taking on the nations best in Buninyong, lesser mortals battled it out at the local track here in Armidale on Saturday. This time Swanny was in charge but there was no let up in terms of variety with riders being put through no fewer than four separate races. Thanks to Swanny for keeping things under control and providing the results and comments in his own inimitable style.
9 riders showed up plus Johnny hanging around like a bad smell
Race 1 – 1 lap TT:
- Josh Denham 1:39
- Houlty 1:42
- Kirkie 1:43
- Clint 1:45
- Blanchie 1:48 (welcome comeback!)
- PC 1:53
- Rob Tindale 1:56
- Richard Wilko 1:57
- Wilf 2:01
Josh’s time took officials by surprise and he was politely asked to confirm it was probably right. Fortunately Garmin concurred with Seiko at which point Swanny asked him if he was good though corners, to which he replied that he used to ride motor bikes. Seems he’s related to Valentino Rossi.
Race 2 – 2 lap wheel race:
We had Rob and Wilf off 400m, Wilko and PC off 300m, Blanchie and Clint off 100m, Kirkie off 50m and Houlty and Josh at scratch. Kirkie took off as though Clint had stolen his wallet, and quickly caught caught them. Houlty and Josh but mainly Houlty hoovered everyone but the front pair up. Coming into the finish, Rob powered ahead of Wilf for the win, with Josh coming out of the main pack for third just behind Wilf. Followed by Kirkie, Wilko, PC, Houlty, and Clint, and Blanchie finding the effort a bit too much in his first race back for ages.
Race 3: Italian pursuit:
Wilf, Rob, Kirkie and Josh up against PC, Wilko, Clint and Houlty. This was a see-sawing race but at the final change Josh and Houlty were neck and neck. But Houlty had the uphill, and Josh again demonstrated his Valentino Rossi skills through the corners and so took the win for his team by 20m.
Race 4: 15 minute Criterium
PC, Wilko, Wilf, Clint, Rob, and Blanchie starting at the half-way point of the track, and Houlty, Josh and Kirkie at the start finish. A few people were getting quite tired by this stage, and the big group fairly quickly lost Blanchie followed by Wilf. PC decided to call it quits after almost vomiting on his bike, showing a distinct lack of mental fortitude. This left Rob, Wilko and Clint going well, but Houlty and his partners were rapidly gaining. Josh and Clint popped at 10 min so it came down to a 4 man race, although Blanchie had found his legs after a bit of a rest and was now looking good sitting on the back of Houlty and Kirkie. The catch was made going up the hill on the penultimate lap, and then in final sprint Houlty was the deserving winner from Wilko, Kirkie and Rob. Wilko’s protest that he didn’t win was quickly dismissed, and with that we pulled up stumps and went to the club.
Where upon we found the amazing news about Sam’s win! Someone had his number, so we were able to give him a call and congratulate him, which really topped off a good day of racing. Watching the boys go around almost made me feel like riding myself.