Honours shared in interclub weekend

While Armidale did win three races, with two each going to Tamworth and Central Coast, Tamworth had the rider of the meet in  Kieran Lewis. Riding in A grade 15 year old Kieran continually attacked his older competitors, spending more than half the day one race off the front. Unfortunately for him, Armidale had the home ground advantage and numbers to control the race and get Andrew Kirk up for the win with Kieran in second. Day two was a different story however, with Kieran again on the attack, this time managing to get away from the bunch 5km from the finish to take a convincing win.

The weekend was arranged as a low key replacement for the canceled Tamworth 2 Day Tour, and featured a 30km road race in Armidale on Saturday 21 August held on Long Swamp Road, followed by a 34km road race in Tamworth the following day using roads around the Loomberah Hall. Conditions in Armidale were cold and windy on the Saturday, but much more pleasant in Tamworth on Sunday. In addition to Armidale and Tamworth riders we also hosted a group from Central Coast CC who had booked in for the 2 Day.

As mentioned above, Andrew Kirk won A grade on the Saturday from Kieran in second, with Mick Hoult a strong third. B grade was won by Stuart Eddy of Central Coast from Bill Mara and Mark Haydon. Peter Creagan won C grade from John Hodgetts (Central Coast) and Dave Menzies (Tamworth). D grade was dominated by a group of strong juniors, with Sara Spokes (Tamworth) winning with an impressive sprint on the uphill finish from Lewis Chapman (Tamworth) with Sam Jenner close behind in third.

On Sunday Kieran easily won A grade in front of Mitch Carrington (Tamworth) with Kirkie flying the flag for Armidale in third. B grade was won by Stuart Hughes (Central Coast) ahead of Dave Jenner (who was always on the back foot after missing his usual pre-race sausage sandwich) and John Hodgetts who just pipped Bill Mara for third. Sam Jenner had his revenge for Saturday with a strong win in C grade ahead of Sara Spokes and Dave Menzies.

Thanks go to all those who supported the races, to Dave Munday, and Ray and Robyn Phillips who organised the race on Saturday, and to the Tamworth club for organising day two.