The Tamworth Mountain Bikers have finished the racing year on a high with several podium finishes at the JetBlack 24 hour at Rydal on the weekend.
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Justin Roberts and Simon Heppell won the general classification and open male pairs in the 6+6 hour race and club president Alyssa Rogan and Michael Crummy the mixed pairs while the Northern Inland Academy of Sport quartet of Campbell Lawson (Inverell), Jock Hollis (Inverell), Jack Larkin and Tom Jenkins took the honours in the juniors.
Out riding many of the male teams, the young guns finished fifth overall in the general classification after completing 26 laps.
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It was a NIAS one-two with the team of Harry Fairfull (Gunnedah), Jack MacKay (Tamworth), Lawson Campbell (Inverell) and Kaden Thistle (Tamworth) coming in second in the juniors.
Contesting the 24-hour event, Mick Sherwood was pushing for the podium before being forced to withdraw about 20 hourse in after developing difficulty digesting food. At the time he was sitting third and riding really well, Rogan said.
"His lap times were phenomenally consistent," she said.
He still managed to finish second in the 23-29 years male solo division after completing 36 laps - the equivalent of 316km, and eighth overall behind multiple world champion Jason English and Inverell's Alywn Miller.
Roberts and Heppell finished a lap up on their nearest rivals after Roberts produced a sizzling final lap to sneak in 20 seconds before the cut-off and send Heppell out for a 28th. The 16-year old's time of 25:21 minutes was the second fastest out of over 350 riders.
Thistle also clocked a pb on his final lap, which Rogan, who is also the NIAS assistant coach, said was a great effort.
She said it was a great way to finish what has been a challenging year, especially for the NIAS contingent with the event the culmination of their program.
"It's been a very tricky year and we're very proud of the kids for being flexible," she said.
"They deserved their podiums."
Their efforts over the year haven't gone unnoticed with Rogan noting that three of the squad have been signed by teams.
