With the darker clouds looming and the promise of rain, Jandanol was looking less than joyous for a ride. Despite this, sixteen dedicated riders assembled at the start line split across three grades for this demanding circuit.
Rhonda Bradley, Barb Glenister and Duane Crabb were joined by junior riders Jonty Calder and Mitchell Crabb to be the first onto the course. Just four minutes later Julie Firth led out Paul Baldock, Tim Glenister and John Andrews with the A Grade group of Paul Matthews, Eddie Muller, Max Nowrojee, Mike Reymond, Reg Salmon and new rider to Spokes, 'Cannondale Steve', waiting another five minutes to start.
Reg Salmon had a mechanical problem at the start which resulted in him only being able to access his small chain ring. Despite this he was able to hang on to the A Grade bunch for the first lap before speed became an issue and he dropped off. Jonty Calder and Mitchell Crabb were flying in their group and if not for a flat tyre on the third lap, Calder would have been the strongest in his grade. With Calder effecting tube change, this opened the door for Mitchell Crabb to work with Barb Glenister towards the finish. Julie Firth showed her strength in the B Grade powering up the hill on each lap - this caused John Andrews and Tim Glenister to splinter on the second lap and Firth then upped the pace again, dropping Paul Baldock and riding the last lap on her own. Baldock was good enough to stop and assist Calder with his flat tyre - we aren't too sure if this was great sportsmanship or an excuse for a rest!
Max Nowrojee, Eddie Muller, Mike Reymond, Steve, and Paul Matthews worked well for two laps of the course before Matthews accelerated over the climb with two laps to go and left the field behind. Steve suffered a flat tyre at the bottom of the climb on the last lap which ended his race.
Firth was first to complete the course, taking line honour as well as 1st in B Grade. Mitchell Crabb out sprinted Barb Glenister to win C Grade with Paul Matthews flying in for the A Grade win and tastes time. With Mitchell Crabb now out riding dad, Duane, on this course, it will be interesting to see what future races bring.......
Full results are below.
No comments:
Post a Comment