Club racing was back on Boorolong this weekend and an already tough course was made all the more challenging by a 35kph headwind on the uphill way out. It is usually the case that once riders turn for the downhill homeward leg, positions don’t change too much, particularly with a strong tail-wind. This week was different however, maybe because the race was busted up so much on the way out, but riders were strung out along the course within 10km of the start.
Doing the damage yet again from the back was Dave Munday, this time with son Hugh and even though the handicapper made the pair wait an extra minute at the start, they didn’t seem to mind one bit. Just before the top of Blacks Hill they’d caught the block trio of Ben Harris, Rob Hale and Col Maciver. Dave decided he didn’t need any help this week so attacked over the top which pushed Col into the red zone. Before they hit the railway line Ben was gone and not much later towards the top of the Claremont Road climb Rob was also dropped.
The pair then tore up the Twisties and were quickly onto the back of the main bunch although Swanny had made a run for it, recognising the danger as he turned. He was reeled in and a decent bunch formed. Johnny was hanging in there nicely despite claiming he had a bad case of snorers throat, along with Tinny and Dene Bourke.
While the hard-charging riders ahead kept the pace high, way back down the road, Rob picked up Rhys and Clint and the trio set about collecting the scattered remains of the bunch, and had some fun shaking them off on the smaller inclines much to annoyance of Haydo, Wilko and Ben Livings who were doing the decent thing and trying to work with them – sorry guys!
It’s not really clear what happened up front but suffice to say, the Munday’s cut loose and it was a 2-up sprint for first place which Hugh seemed to win with ease by a couple of bike lengths. It was then over 30s before the remnants of the lead bunch appeared. Johnny powered home grabbing 3rd, followed by a great 4th spot for Bourkey and then Swanny back in the money with the last of the RROTY bonus points in 5th. Riders then dribbled in for another 4-5 minutes until Chief Commissaire Dave Jenner decided to switch the camera off which means Col’s time is a best guess.
Dave Jenner, enhanced his reputation at the start when riders realised just how bitterly cold it was going to be racing into the headwind. Looking warm and toasty with his coat and beanie on, the comment came through loud and clear “you’re even a burglar when you’re on sign duty”. He had the last laugh though with another four points in the bag and up into second place in the RROTY League without even turning a pedal.
Not surprisingly, the Munday’s are starting to appear in the top part of the league too – Dave is now up from 6th to 3rd and Hugh moves from 14th to 8th. Richard Wilkinson stays firmly planted at the top however, still with a 12 point buffer.
Well done to Hugh on a fine and hard-earned victory today and also grabbing fastest time – great to see a strong younger rider getting up for a win. Thanks to Dave and Deb Jenner for running the race and putting the signs out and to Col for another well-handicapped race – although the handicapper was a bit tough on himself today. Next week we have a 15k ITT as preparation for the Club Handicap Championship on the 17th September, keep that one free in your calendars.
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