Talk about a grandstand finish. Less than half a wheel separated Callum Dolby and Sam Munday in the A grade Interclub Criterium race in Armidale over the weekend.
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On a sunny, mild afternoon, 11 riders lined up for the 30 minutes plus three laps A grade race.
The speed was on from the start and didn’t let off throughout.
After about four laps of the 1.2-kilometre closed circuit course at the Traffic Education Centre, riders started to drop off and the lead group soon had a 30-second lead on the chasing bunch.
The front group was made up of Armidale riders Munday and Mick Hoult with four Inverell riders – the Sunderland brothers, Dolby and Dan Wilks.
A series of fast laps (1:37, 1:34, 1:44 and 1:35) ensured this group kept clear and was soon reduced to five as Hoult found the relentless pace too hot.
Dylan Sunderland put in a big effort in the final two laps, probably costing him a chance at the end, as Munday led out with a blistering pace down the home straight. However, Dolby was in just the right gear to pip Munday on the line.
Zac and Dylan Sunderland were next in followed by Dan Wilks.
The second group had reeled in Hoult on the last lap and was led over the line by Armidale’s Paul Williams.
14 riders started B grade to be run over 25 minutes plus three laps. The first 10 minutes proceeded fairly uneventfully until Armidale’s Jason Simmonds and Clint Bourke tried to break away and gained a small gap.
At this point, Pete Creagan had to make a pit stop to change wheels, ably assisted by Col Maciver and a spare bike conveniently left at the starting line by Sam Horwood.
A series of attacks unhitched Carl Hooper and he struggled to try and get back on, but was unable on his own to reel in the front groups.
With about 10 minutes to go, four riders had formed a break.
The four leaders continued to work for the last three laps as Inverell’s Shane Edmunds won the sprint from the three Tamworth riders, Fletcher Partlin, Luke O’Connor and Darren Taylor. The second group was led over the line by Simmonds.