21 riders fronted for a graded scratch over 40k on Dangarsleigh Road on a cold late autumn afternoon with temperature barely touching 12 degrees and a nasty crosswind threatening riders for both the outbound and return legs.
Col organised a small C group, followed by split A and B bunches – the three races were separate events but allowed for all to come together and finish with a quasi handicap.

Pete Creagan, Phil Tutt and Rodney Nguyen set off and reached the 10k mark in 19:06mins, 15k in 28:40mins and the 20k turn in 38:17mins. Rod had a bit of trouble with gravel on the turn and the other two waited for him to get back on his bike. Rod’s near accident shook him a bit and he was beginning to struggle with the pace heading for home. Rod was 10secs behind his team at the 25k mark – PC and Phil reaching that point in 50:40mins. PC and Phil turned onto Dangarsleigh Road at the Telstra hut in 1hr46secs with Rod still only 11secs behind, but he then slipped further and further behind. With the other grades breathing down their necks, PC and Phil put in a big effort and Phil dropped PC just past the monument and was last man caught by the peleton near the top of Knobs Hill – a great effort. Phil crossed the finish line at 1:17:20, followed by PC 35secs behind.

Dene Bourke, Richard Wilko, Tinny, Christian Girard and Rod Christie made up the first section of B grade and headed off at 6mins behind the first group. Another 1:30mins back was the chasing B+ bunch of Clint Bourke, Luke Maguire (coming off a couple of good wins) Gareth and Swanny. Passing the 10k mark at 17:40mins, the B group still had a 30sec advantage over B+ riders, although Christian had been dropped – already a minute behind at that point. Swanny decided to call it a day and left his comrades to be quickly swept up as B+ upped the pace with Luke and Clint distancing Gareth up the relatively gentle rise towards the 12.5k mark. The combined six strong B/B+ group passed 15k at 26:28/24:58mins respectively with Gareth a minute further back and Christian soldiering on another minute behind. The front B group turned together at 35:02 mins, and Gareth at 36:30mins. 25K was passed at 46:05mins and the Telstra corner at 55:12mins, just 26 secs behind C Grade. But they were in turn only 13secs ahead of a charging A/A+ Grade, and this super A grade group mopped up all riders who had started before them in their charge down Dangarsleigh and up the early part of the Monument climb. Luke abandoned his team and got onto the back, thus disqualifying himself from a potential B Grade win. The remainder of B was led over the finish line by evergreen Wilko in a time of 1:11mins, followed by Clint 1 sec behind and Rod C collecting third place a further 56 secs back.

The strong A contingent was split into Andy, Pat, Holly, Toby and Johnny starting at 12:30mins – to be chased down by the A+ quartet of Brent, Houlty, Shaun and Olly a minute behind. By the 15k mark, A was all together as they completed that section in a fast 23:45/22:45mins. Having dropped the Eagle on the short climbs towards halfway, eight riders turned at 41:35/40:35mins, dragging along Christian for a short respite in his solo mission to finish. Johnny rounded the turn another 35secs behind, but he was soon to pass Christian up Salisbury Waters climb giving the lantern rogue honour to Christian. The A octet was still together at the 25k point – 50:45/49:45mins having elapsed. As outlined above, they could see the rest of the field as the turned into Dangarsleigh Road and were soon passed everyone and were testing each other up the final major climb, having also collected Luke. A small split occurred in the final sprint to the line and Toby managed a great in a time of 1hour3mins. Luke followed him across the line (his time was 1hour and 8mins – firmly putting himself into the ranks of A grade for future races). Shaun was second in A Grade (and fastest time) in the same time, followed by Brent, Houlty and Holly.

Great races to watch – thanks to Houlty and Col for handicapping and Billy for signs and remember that next week is InterClub criterium in Inverell.