Club racing was held from Outtrim on Saturday and used the course through Kongwak and Wattle Bank. Weather conditions were cold with a north west breeze blowing. This course has several climbs early in the circuit followed by flatter runs at the end followed by the steep little climb at the recreation reserve for the sprint finish.

With riders away competing at the State titles and Canada the numbers were a little down resulting in the 15 starters spread over 4 bunches and a time difference of 15minutes. The rider to get under the guard of the handicapper was Rick Whitehouse who was generously put with the limit riders. This was perhaps a benefit of regular co-marker Ken Barnes missing the start as he had lost his compass for Outtrim. Rick managed to lead from start to finish and this is a just reward for his persistence and efforts over recent weeks. The second limit bunch of Jake Laine, Elliott Gin and Malcolm Gin worked well and rounded up the other limit riders before the run along Lynnes Rd. The young legs of Elliott and Jake proved too much for Malcolm on the last uphill hall to the line as Elliott grabbed 2nd and Jake 3rd. This dash to the line enabled them to just hold off the fast finishing 7 minute bunch. Malcolm claimed 4th, Lynton Clay 5th then the first of the 7 minute bunch finished with Neil White 6th and Kevin Feely 7th. Their sprint also saw them just hold of the flying back markers (3 minute bunch)as David McFarland lead them home for 8th and fastest time. Eamon Feely from the 3 minute bunch claimed 9th just ahead of Thiery Roland 10th also from the same bunch. Save for the winner the handicaps were just about perfect.

The junior B grade group raced out and back for a 12 km race. This race took them to the Inverloch Rd intersection so included some head wind work on the way to the turn. The trio were all together for the sprint and once again Mitch Gin proved too quick in the sprint edging out Jarrad Donohue and Thomas McFarlane for the placings. Next weeks race will be run from Mardan and riders will compete for the George Martin Trophy.

Stuart Smith had a successful weekend at GlenRowan claiming 2nd in the J19 time trial on Saturday and backing up well on a freezing Sunday to take out the road race as well. Stuart said that it was so cold his hands were frozen with still 2 laps to go and he couldn’t work his gears. Morgan Clark also competed at the titles and picked up a 15 in the time trial and 8th in the road race. In Canada Nick Aitken had trouble with a fall in his first race.

Race report by Lindsay Love