Dumbalk 4th May 2019

With the tour of East Gippsland on, race numbers were always going to be reduced, and squally frequent rain showers on BOM radar possibly kept some away as well. Despite all this, we managed to have a good race at Dumbalk for both seniors and juniors.
Enthusiastic Junior Bastian Jefferies had a competitor in Steven Spencer which made the race a better challenge. Steven was given a 1 minute start and on the 7km out and back course, Bastian’s challenge was to reel Steven in. Bastian did so with a winning time of 16.33. Steven did well to keep fighting and finished 11 seconds behind Bastian with a total time of 17.44.

The seniors race started on wet roads but no rain falling. Tony Giles and Mark Bensley set off smoothly at 6 min with a minor mechanical having Tony stopping to reseat his chain causing a 30 second delay (I swear) near the Loves Lane junction. Happily not proceeding up Loves Lane, they were hit with a rain shower with hail-like qualities approaching Mirboo. Syd Jackson and Leigh Stott were the chase group and managed to avoid the heaviest rain and made very good time working together to catch Tony and Mark on the long climb up Mirboo Rd to the turnaround point at the Boolarra South Mirboo Nth Rd Junction. Leigh dropped Syd and Mark dropped Tony up that fitness testing grind, and Leigh was on his own for the rest of the race finishing first with a time of 1.07.15. He put his good form down to training with Alex Dunbar, and Alex’s excellent win at ToEG on the Saturday didn’t surprise Leigh at all. Syd and Tony caught Mark on the way home, and the final results were Syd second with a time of 1.10.22, mark third at 1.16.22 and Tony missing the podium in 4th with 1.18.36. Everyone had so much fun, we forgot to take any photos. Thanks to Steve Wilson, Jim Geary and Terry Watchorn for making the races possible.

Next week is a Sunday (Mother’s day) social ride from Leongatha to Loch via quieter rural roads (possibly aerodrome road to Korumburra then via Jeetho Rd from Bena to Loch-this is approx 40km one way , so will be up for negotiation and one way with pick up /both way options being worked on)
The week after that is our second ever Cyclocross race on Sunday19th of May. Looking for strong club member support for this new club initiative.
Mark Bensley

source – Facebook post