Nice racing

here's the write up I submitted to Lithgow radio and the various papers from Lithgow Bathurst Blue Mts and this week Orange. I know Lithgow been running them so hopefully the other are too.

With competitors coming from as far afield as Wentworth Falls, Orange and Mudgee the Stella Maris Mining Services/Centennial Coal weekly Tuesday evening cross country mountain bike races held near Rydal are fast becoming the CTMBCs most popluar series ever.

With a friendly vibe and close racing on a fun but challenging track it's proving to be a great way to spend a Tuesday afternoon.

Despite the rain that was hanging around this week riders were greeted with a loose, dusty track which saw some "interesting" cornering techniques with some spills and some amazing saves too.

Bathurst's Brad Roughley continues to improve and attacked the field from the get go, only being seriously challenged in the last lap by Orange rider, Rod Farrell. Farrell briefly took the lead before a front tyre blow out towards the end of the lap saw him out of the hunt, jogging his bike home to a very respectable 4th place, leaving Roughley to take the honours of his first win at the Rydal track.

Andrew Carter put in a fantastic chase for second place but was unable to make up the lead opened up by Roughley in the opening lap.

In third place was Lithgow's Todd McMahon who has also continued to improve throughout the series.

Kate Heynes, the only female competitor in this round, is better known for her endurance riding however despite starting at the back of the grid worked her way through the pack to claim 21st outright in what is basically a sprint format.

Jack Lang did well in his first race coming in 6th in B grade to take the Junior win while Brad Davis-Halliday was 2nd and Luke Walsh was in third.

Club president, Craig Flynn has now moved up to first place in the series points just ahead of Craig Barns, whose unlucky run with mechanicals in the last 2 rounds has forced him out of first place. This weeks win catapults Brad Roughley into 3rd on series points.

Central Tablelands Mountain Bike club race every Tuesday afternoon throughout day lights savings and riders of all ability are welcome
for full results and further details please visit www.ctmbc.net

Now for some personal perspective.

How good is racing at this track? Everyone is really picking up and you can see riders improving both skill and fitness.

Not sure what it was like out the front but it was dusty and loose where I was. I think it's the closeness of racing that I'm enjoying most as well as the mix of skill and fitness. I can definitely see spot where I gain on riders around me and other spots where they pull away. Really spurs you on to improve your weakness's.

This week I had a tussle with Todd on lap one before he got away then at various times I got caught and passed by and later repassed Richard, Shawn, Brett and Pij. Someone would get in front and we'd sit on their wheel or they'd make a break only to push too hard into a corner and loose their advantage and someone else would take over... For me that's racing at it's most enjoyable.

And the young kids, Jack going well in his first race, Joel backing up from his second place at the DH Nationals. Brad, Luke and Bryson seem to get better each week.

Anyway been a great series so far so hopefully we continue on the upward trend