There's nothing like the taste of Tamworth dust and the smell of hot eucalyptus in the dusk to round off a hump day and Race 2 of the Twilight Series certainly delivered on all fronts.
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Race co-ordinator, Eric Day, turned the evening on its head when he served up our last race's trails..... in reverse.
Many a breathless comment was overheard, and the general feeling was that, "that rode so much better when descending". Our rego and timing volunteers were on fire and match fit this week for the 78 riders who pointed their wheels dust side up. In my opinion these guys are our hands-down race winners.
Once again our Dirtmasters (juniors) category showed us all up with 27 crazy little pinners on the start line.
Once again our Dirtmasters (juniors) category showed us all up with 27 crazy little pinners on the start line.
This provided the opportunity to run a sub-category for the new and younger legs on the parks designated kids and pump track. New to racing Poppy Lefmann pulled nine laps on this course setting herself up nicely for a transition to the Dirtmasters next week.
Charlie and Callan Stewart rode a hot seven, Casey Byrnes and Marty Siddons put in a big effort with six laps (Marty then doubled up with 5 laps of the A/Elite course) and Hattie Lefmann tested the waters with a calm two laps and then requested the removal of a tree root on her retirement.
Dirt masters was a tight affair with Lachlan Butters hot on the pedals to ride into first with 32:35. Second place was only 27 seconds behind with Jacob Whittaker and then some good old sibling rivalry with Jordan Whittaker in third.
As promised we delivered some company this week for our Recreational category but Jasper Thistle remained in pole position with Amanda Shaw having a great ride in second.
Nathan Sharples took out Division C with a lap up on the field. Young NIAS athlete Ethan McDonald demonstrated some persistent pressure gradually wearing down eventual third place getter Jeremy Deasey. Great racing lads!
As predicted Division B is turning out to be a very competitive field with 20 riders on the start line. Only four minutes separated the first 13 riders today and the timers did well to record the dusty cloud of bikes and bodies as they tore through transition. Peter Thistle put in a blistering 6:50 lap on his last lap (27 sec faster than his next fastest) to take first by 10 seconds from Mathew Mackay. Third was only three seconds back. Congratulations Terry Worboys on what looks like a tough race.
Veteran racer Steve Mair certainly is showing the young guns a bit about racing, delivering 5 laps of the technical, slippery and steep A/Elite course in 43:07. Alex Day was determined to be in the mix and smashed into second place (only 52 sec down) and David Fisher in third.
The Elite category demonstrated some incredible fitness and skills on a tough course and it was well worth a wander out on the trail to watch their technical ability. Stevie Roberts blistered around six laps in 46:27 to take the podium, with Ben Clarke rocking some very experienced legs into second and young Under 15 rider Justin Roberts in third.
Now there is nothing more romantic than sitting around in your sweaty bike kit, holding the dusty hand of your loved one and eating Chicken, Chips and Salad so get your roses delivered to the Tamworth Mountain Bike Park and we'll see you next Wednesday for 5.30 rego and skills session for 6.15 start!
