The Yuna Team Relay saw ten teams, and one solo rider, line up at the Yuna silos eager to start the race and enjoy the perfect cycling conditions that Mother Nature had bestowed. At 9.00am, timekeepers Paul Dodson and Zane D’Mello sent off ‘Team Tri Ladies’ comprising Christine Collins, Fiona Galvin and Jayne Laurent who were riding in their first ever Spokes event. With three minute intervals between each team the next to go was ‘If you want cake, don’t overtake’ a team made up of Barb Glenister, Jennie Haste and Sonia Davies. Barb and Jennie are renowned for their yummy cakes, slices and doughnuts and as such this was a very apt name. The third all female team left at 6:00 minutes and saw Jane Benson race away cheered on by team mates Jacinta Potts and Bec Swan.‘The Blockheads’ team of Fred Block, Steve and Penny Davies were next to leave followed by ‘Boobs on Bikes’, who are better known as Julie Firth, Gabe Andrews and Deborah Wake. The ‘boobs’ were hotly pursued by solo rider Peter Johnson and team ‘Geraldton Golf Guys’ being Duane Crabb, Tim Glenister and Paul Matthews. Andrew Toovey, Roger Swan and Paul Wilson looked amazing at the start line in their fully matching kit and ‘The League of Extraordinary Gentleman’ were very happy to stand around and be admired before setting off at +18:.00 minutes.
Jonathan Tamm, Paul Baldock and Max Nowrojee were ready to depart three minutes later and were followed by John Andrews, Ian Andrews and Peter Burchell. The final team to leave was ‘Team Train Low’ – Damon Angelatos, Richard Quinlan and Scott Cox, who were perhaps not appropriately named considering the experience and speed within this group.
The first leg saw teams racing from Yuna to Nabawa with some riding it as a relay and others choosing to have their whole team on the road for the duration. The pace was fast amongst all and the time gaps closed as teams neared the finish line in Nabawa.
It was excellent to see due consideration being shown during change over to ensure that riders were able to ride clear lines. First across the line was ‘If you want cake, don’t overtake’ with everyone very relieved to know that this win meant that cake would be on offer from Barb and Jennie!
The team of Jane Benson, Jacinta Potts and Bec Swan were next across the line and were closely followed by Fiona Galvin, Jayne Laurent and Christine Collins with all other teams crossing soon after. Corrected times show a blistering pace for ‘Team Train Low’ with Damon, Richard and Scott averaging some 41.4km/hr for the leg and taking fastest time. Next fastest time went to Tim Glenister, Paul Matthews and Duane Crabb who averaged 39.6km/hr and it was solo rider Peter Johnson who recorded the third fastest time, averaging 38.5km/hr across the 36 kilometre distance.
After a twenty minute break in which cyclists enjoyed fruit cake, doughnuts and chocolate slice (many thanks to Barb, Jennie and Johno) the event moved to the first of the three individual stages. Each team nominated their riders and timekeeper Paul Dodson proceeded to call out the starting order, albeit not in order!
The 15.6km leg heads out of Nabawa toward Geraldton and sees cyclists riding undulating terrain for the entire distance. With cyclists given just one minute interval the racing was exciting with position on the road changing constantly. Damon Angelatos was fastest completing the ride in 23:45 and averaging 39.4km/hr. Andrew Toovey showed all that he didn’t just look good in his team kit, but that he could also ride taking second fastest time and averaging 36.9km/hr for the leg. The fact that he required a lie down at the end of his ride was irrelevant, Toovey giving his all whilst on the bike. Deborah Wake had a brilliant ride and came in with third fastest time and an average of 36.3km/hr.
Fiona Galvin also rode a very strong leg, averaging 34km/hr – an outstanding ride for Fiona’s first attempt at road racing. She will be a force to be reckoned with at future events.
The second individual leg was a 12.9km ride up the cutting and then back down toward Morrell Road. The hill climb was a decisive factor for this stage and Paul Baldock claimed fastest time completing the distance in 21:29. Baldock was closely followed by Paul Matthews in 21:44 with Steve Davies coming in third in a time of 22:33. Bec Swan showed that lack of fitness is irrelevant when it comes to having a chat, managing to get enough breath to offer some support to a fellow cyclist whilst passing on the climb. Minor placings were all very close together and there was much anticipation ahead of the final stage of this fantastic event.
Teams moved onto Morrell Road for the start of the final leg – a 9km ‘time trial’ to Giles Park. Paul Wilson unveiled his time trial bike for the occasion with many keen to see how this would assist him. The pace was on from the first rider and every rider could be seen giving it their everything. Fastest time went to Duane Crabb who averaged 36.7km/hr for the leg, Gabe Andrews demonstrated her strength and speed taking second place and averaging 35.5km/hr, with Paul Wilson coming in third at an average of 35.4km/hr.
Teams then moved to Golden Pond Retreat for a much needed buffet lunch with the timekeepers compiling overall results whilst the riders and their support crews enjoyed the meal. Fastest time went to ‘Team Train Low’ – Damon Angelatos, Richard Quinlan and Scott Cox with a number of novelty prizes also awarded.
A full list of cycling results is listed below and the Picasa photo stream to the right has been updated with numerous pictures taken by Vicky.
Many thanks to Darryl and Vicky Sheilds for putting out and collecting the signs, Barb and Tim Glenister for arranging the signs, Paul Dodson and Zane D’Mello for timekeeping and Dom Micono for marshalling and providing rider support.
Novelty Prizes were awarded as follows:
Jacinta Potts - Having an excited pit stop right on the side of the road only to have
Dom ride past on his motorbike whilst still in all her glory…….
Paul Wilson - Proudly showing off the fact that his physique ensures that Paint n
Quip was the most prominent logo on his new team kit……Paint n Quip covers the stomach region of the jersey!
Christine Collins, Fiona Galvin and Jayne Laurent - Riding their first ever Spokes Event and choosing one of the hardest – welcome ladies and we hope to see you again.
Richard Quinlan - For asking Bec Swan if her birth mark developed during primary school and being surprised when Bec pointed out she had had it since birth…..
Peter Johnson - Being a solo rider at a team event!
Paul Dodson - For easily being the most confusing time keeper…….
Gabe Andrews - For always looking classy and stylish when on her bike!
