On Saturday Goulburn Cycle Club hosted the first round of the Interclub Series on the Old Hume Highway at Gunning.
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In perfect autumn weather almost 100 riders signed on for the handicap event over the Cullerin Range to Breadalbane and back to Gunning.
Defending champions Goulburn had a strong field of 30 riders to test themselves against riders from Macarthur, Southern Highlands, Illawarra, Nowra, Eurobodalla and Jindabyne.
It turned out to be a day for the front runners with the scratch riders failing to make the catch both Division 1 and 2.
In Division 2 the battle was between Macarthur and Nowra riders. Daniel Woodhurst from Macarthur took out line honours from Michael Berriman of Nowra Velo and Henry Cartwright (Macarthur) third. Michael Thompson and Hubert Driehus both of Nowra Velo finished fourth and fifth.
Best Goulburn rider was Nadine Moroney who took out the Joan Knight Trophy for first local across the line.
Division 2 fastest time was Aaron Lauder of Nowra Velo.
Limit riders had one of those rare days when now could catch them. Godfrey Green (Nowra Velo) took line honours in a bunch sprint from Dave Mullens (Eurobodalla), Jimmy Kourembes (Macarthur), Dominique Rideaux (Illawarra) and Jason Hogan (Macarthur)
First Goulburn rider home for the Division 1 Joan Knight Trophy was John Roberts.
Goulburn riders had better results in the fastest time category with last season’s series winner Riley Fleming having the third fastest time and Andy Cartwright having the fastest time on the day.
Next Saturday local racing returns with a handicap on Middle Arm Road. Sign on is from 1.30pm opposite the cemetery and racing starts at 2pm. New riders always welcome.
Goulburn Interclub results
Division 2
- 1st Daniel Woodhurst (Macarthur)
- 2nd Michael Berriman (Nowra Velo)
- 3rd Henry Cartwright (Macarthur)
- 4th Michael Thompson (Nowra Velo)
- 5th Hubert Driehus (Nowra Velo)
- Joan Knight Trophy (Div 2) - Nadine Moroney
Fastest times
- 1st Aaron Lauder (Nowra Velo)
- 2nd Andrew MacCulloch (Sothern Highlands)
- 3rd Andrew Jackson (Southern Highlands)
Division 1
- 1st Godfrey Green (Nowra Velo)
- 2nd Dave Mullens (Eurobodalla),
- 3rd Jimmy Kourembes (Macarthur
- 4th Dominique Rideaux (Illawarra)
- 5th Jason Hogan (Macarthur)
- Joan Knight Trophy (Div 1) – John Roberts
Fastest times
- 1st Andy Cartwright (Goulburn)Velo)
- 2nd Richard Cartwright (Macarthur)
- 3rd Riley Fleming (Goulburn)
Grafton to Inverell
Goulburn riders were also at the 228km Grafton to Inverell for the first National Road Series race. Cameron Roberts saddled up for the GPM Stultz team and Troy Herfoss road in the Goulburn colours.
Unfortunately Troy Herfoss battled fatigue and withdrew after 120 kms.
Reflecting on his first Grafton Roberts said “The pace was hot out of Grafton. Being the first NRS race of the year pretty much the whole field was trying to get into break so nobody really got away.
“At the base of the range the field was together. While the first half of the climb up the range was fairly easy after that the pace went up and the bunch really sorted itself out.”
Roberts made the front group of about 50-60 rides, which included all the race contenders especially those from Isowhey and NSWIS Teams. As the race continued on across the Tablelands the distance and pace started to take its toll on riders thinning out the peloton.
“I was the only GPM Stultz rider in the lead group so I took a back seat and just kept up the nutrition and tried to keep myself as fresh as possible” Roberts said.
This lead group managed to stay away from the chasers and was never caught.
“Unfortunately I began to suffer from some cramps as the fatigued kicked in and I was dropped on the final climb with 5km to go. I rode into the finish solo about 1min 35 behind the lead group and eventual winner, Neil van der Ploeg of Isowhey Sports Swiss Wellness.”
“It was a tough day out” Roberts said. “But I was surprised at what I was about to achieve. I'm a little disappointed that I couldn't hold on and try and get a top 10 result, but I'm also really happy that I was able to finish one of Australia's toughest races and ride at the front end of the race all day.
“It gives me confidence knowing that I'm improving as a rider and for the rest of the NRS season. I hope to go back next year now I've got one Grafton under my belt. I know what I'm in for and can be more prepared,” the young Goulburn rider reflected.
The riders covered 228km in 5hrs 47mins with an average of 39.3km/h with over 3300m of climbing. The winner set a new race record. Cameron’s time was nevertheless impressive and would have won last year’s event.