Yuna Teams Relay

SPOKES CYCLE CLUB

YUNA TO MOONYOONOOKA TEAMS RELAY

The wind blew, but still they came......77k’s east of Geraldton, or in Phil Liggett speak....44 miles, to the small town of Yuna.  A school, a shop come tavern and the landmark silos and it was cold, but the wind was blowing and it was blowing from the east.  It was going to be a good day for all.

After registering the teams, Darryl Sheilds welcomed new riders and old to the event and explained the format the event would take.  It was then the job of timekeepers for the day, Peter Johnson and Eddie Muller to organised the handicaps and begin the race.

Stage 1, Yuna to Nabawa and each team must have one rider on the road at all times.  Some teams elected to ride 3 to 5k’s sections leapfrogging to Nabawa, while others had two or even three on the road at a time.  First to line up for her team, Jenny Haste had the unenviable task of no-one to chase, but everyone chasing her.  Then 3 minutes later, Bec Swan and Jacinta Potts (in her first race this season with the club) departed.  Another 3 minute wait and Darryl Sheilds and Rhonda Bradley began their race.  It was now the turn of team 2RG, (Robert Melville, Richard Houwen and Gerard Laurent).  Their first rider was waived away and quickly got into chase mode.  Team JB, ( Johnny Barber, Julie Firth and Reg Salmon) were next to be called to the line and with only two teams to come, knew that they would have a hard job ahead if they were to remain uncaught.

The second last team to leave, local triathletes Richard Correy, Mark Adam and Simon Teakle decided to ride the first section together, leaving the car in Yuna to be picked up after the event.  Last team to leave, Andre Eastough and Jason Potts were keen to start the chase and see the benefits of their 5am training rides and after a long 3 minutes, the wait was over and they were sent on their way.

With only 36k’s to Nabawa, the racing was hard and fast, some teams were caught, while others managed to avoid the capture, but all riders worked hard to get the best times possible for their team position and as each rider rounded the last bend and hit the fast downhill run into Nabawa, the last hard push was over and relief was seen on many a riders face.

A short break, something to eat – thankyou Ladies and Gents, the food was delicious and the riders was ready to get under way again. 

Stage 2 and the riders nominated to ride for their teams, Jenny Haste, Jacinta Potts, Darryl Sheilds, Robert Melville, Johnny Barber, Mark Adam and Jason Potts faced 16k’s of fast flat road, with a couple of hills thrown in for a bit of excitement!  Unlike stage one, stages 2, 3 and 4 would see riders set off at 1 minute intervals.  This would mean that the riders would see the riders in front....now the racing would get really interesting!  Times from each stage would also be accumulated and winners would be announced after the last stage.

Stage 3....the cutting....and everyone’s wish was answered, a tail wind up the hill.  Only problem with this, a blistering headwind going down the hill to the finish line and that would test everyone’s strength of heart and limb.  Again, nominated riders lined up to leave with Sara Armitage the first to leave.  She was followed in order by, Bec Swan, Reggie Richardson, Richard Houwen, Julie Firth, Simon Teakle and Roger Swan.  First to reach the top of the cutting, Bec Swan was later heard to say: “42kph up the cutting, 26kph down the cutting, yep, the wind was hard.”

Stage 4, is a quick 9km to the finish line.  Mostly flat, with a couple of little rises along the way, the riders were again blessed with helpful winds and this would be reflected in the quick times posted.  This is the section that would test the speed of the timekeeper...by the time they had set off the last rider; they would have little time to spare to get to the finish line before the first rider appeared!  The final line-up of riders was led by Darren Screaigh.  He was followed by Kellie Eastough, Rhonda Bradley, Gerard Laurent, Reg Salmon, Richard Correy and Andre Eastough.  Starting at the bottom of the first small rise, riders must quickly regain their breathe and settle into a rhythm once they get to the top, knowing that it is only 60 seconds before the next rider is unleashed to begin their chase.  A quick dash and the timekeeper appears at the finish line just in time to set up for the first rider, Darren Screaigh to cross the line.  He is followed in quick succession and the timekeepers are kept busy recording the finishing times.