DYNAMIC Fire officially launched their sponsorship of Team Baiocchi Griffin JT Fossey yesterday and the local fire control business won’t have to wait long for their support to “hit the road” as four of the team will be riding in this weekend’s big Sundowner (Coonabarabran to Gunnedah) and Gunnedah to Tamworth road races.
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Mick Sherwood, Phil Kelaher, Jeremy Bartlett and Darren Traill will be riding in both major road races, Saturday’s iconic Sundowner as well as Sunday’s Gunnedah to Tamworth.
It’ also a big weekend for Sherwood . He’s also off to Tahiti on Monday to ride a six stage race for the Newcastle-based Paradice National Series team.
Dynamic Fire managing director Doug Westwood sees a lot of similarities in his firm and Team Baiocchi Griffin JT Fossey.
“We were a new business here five and half years ago,” Westwood said.
“We have expanded and grown and now have these new premises (corner Barnes Street and Showground Road).
“This racing team gives us a great opportunity to market our brand name in the community. Cycling is a good clean sport.”
He likes the idea the cycling team is trying to help the younger riders begin their careers as well and that Sherwood has been invited to ride in the Tour of Tahiti.
Phil Kelaher is one of the older riders in the team and is delighted Dynamic Fire will help the Team Baiocchi Griffin JT Fossey expand.
“We’ve got a big two days of racing on the weekend,” Kelaher said.
“The Sundowner is a pretty hard day. About 115km. Not too bad once you get over the hills but then you hit the crosswinds near Mullaley.
“Sunday is a good race (Gunnedah to Tamworth) about 107km.”
Mick Sherwood is riding both, but the 20-year-old Armidale university student, in the second year of a rural science degree, is looking forward to his Tour of Tahiti.
“This weekend is going to be a good preparation for that,” he said.
It’ll open the legs up.
“There’s six stages over there, the longest stage is about 130km but it averages out about 90km a day.”
He said there are some big climbs “mainly short and steep”.
“I’ve been training to put a bit more speed in my climbing too,” he said.
“But it’s going great for me being in this team.
“It’s opened up a lot of opportunities and the support system is great too.” Ray Griffin found the team around 12 months ago and hopes the Dynamic Fire sponsorship will enable him to add a few more riders.
“With Dynamic Fire on board we’ll be able to look to recruit one or two more under 23 riders and take on several more races through the road season,” he said.
“Right now we’re looking to recruit an under 19 rider who is seriously wanting to pursue cycling as their sport. If they’re good enough, after a season or two with us we can help them step through to bigger teams on the national scene.”
