It was back to the Club Championship course and format once again yesterday and with much better conditions, the racing was faster and for most people, more enjoyable than the week before.

There were enough riders for two good grades with most slotting into B where a solid group quickly emerged and stayed together for most of the race. Only two riders weren’t in contention at the end of lap 1 and ultimately Sam King emerged victorious, doing battle with Jason Simmonds on the final ascent of Dump Hill with Keglegs and Bill Mara in close attendance. Both must surely wondering if they should have made a trip to the Gold Coast for the National Masters, such is their current L’etape-induced form.

A-Grade was a fairly brutal Tale of Two Mick’s who proceeded to take it for the entire race. There was some early structure with most participants rolling turns, including Holly Harris who more than held her own as the lone female in A-Grade, but by the top of Imbota on the first lap it was down to five riders and then at the mid-race point it was four. The second ascent of Imbota saw Kirky fade away agonisingly close to the top as Mick Harris wound the wick up where it stayed for the remaining 5km as he and Houlty drove things along at a rapid pace. The younger Mick then hit on Dump Hill in his now trademark style, powering away for a comfortable victory at an impressive average speed of 40.79kph.

Well done Mick and Sam on your victories, it is great to see the younger club riders continuing to impress. Many thanks to Kirky for being on sign duty and to Hammy Williams (now a shoulder of ham) for kindly volunteering to run the race.

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