Gunnedah Week of Speed Criteriums

Following on from a successful Autumn Festival Criterium campaign, Armidale riders featured prominently at the Gunnedah Week of Speed Criteriums on 5 April 2008.

Kyle O’Hara was second in the Under 13’s after missing out on the Autumn Festival weekend. Sam Jenner also rode in the Under 13’s, and although he is at the younger end of the age group went well finishing just out of a place.

The Under 15 race was won by Cody Burton with younger brother Kirk chasing hard on his heels to finish fourth. Both looked smart on their new bikes, and it was good to see an old Armidale cycling family returning to racing, with their father Craig also having raced for the club as a junior.

D Grade saw Jillian Backhouse compete in her first Open race, and while not taking any prize money she stayed with the leading bunch for the entire race. Jillian was one of two women racing in this grade, and it was a great effort on first attempt. No women raced in any of the higher grades.

Pat Ainsworth, Reece O’Hara and Dave Jenner competed in C grade. Pat put in a great ride to finish in second place, adding to his third place in the Inverell crits a few weeks ago.

Reece, who could have competed in the Under 15s but raced 3 grades higher, stayed in the leading pack for the entire race. An excellent effort after his fifth place in D grade at the Autumn Festival Criterium.

Dave Jenner while unplaced in the race managed to win the raffle.

Inspired by the efforts of the younger riders (and Dave’s fine performance in the raffle) Peter Wilkinson rode well in B grade, finishing with the pack after deciding not to contest the final sprint.

Geoff Straub continued his good form finishing a creditable third in A Grade, also winning an intermediate sprint. 17 year old Mitch Bullen also rode well in A Grade.