Battle of the Border - by Sean Golding

Stage 1 - Terrible Time Trial

Nathan Chiswell was first off from our members, and quickly returned with talk of a shocking course.  With roads similar to North bank road, and bridges like bruxner, all riders were soon keen just to survive the event. The 8klm track was soon covered by all members, and all happy to get back with frames in one piece, and tyres inflated.

Stage 2 - Bring on the hills

With Sean Golding and Matt Vagg together in Masters B, and Reece Edwards in Elite C, both grades were combined along with U17’s to form the biggest pack to hit the road, and face the hills. 66km awaited over 4 laps, and all were looking comfortable, until Sean spotted Reece at the rear, and gave him some friendly advice along the lines of “what the #$^# are you doing back here, your better than this, get a move on”. Unfortunately, Reece followed instructions, and put a surge in up the last final climb, closely followed by Matt Vagg, which saw General Golding slip off the back, and lose a quick 200mtrs.

Luckily Sean, and a fellow competitor (My best mate No.33) worked and rejoined with approx 5klm to go. It wasn’t long until we hit the 1k to go, and things got messy!  Riders hit holes, each other, and Sean hit a gap, and snuck over second in the pack sprint to claim 3rd for the stage.

Stage 3 - Race the Rain

Vagg, Golding, and Edwards all had a speedy safe stage and just got home before the rain.  An uneventful stage, and Sean again placed 3rd.  This edged him within .8 of a second to Matt Vagg, and made for some small talk before the next race. The best ride for the stage went to Chris Jahnz who escaped along with a few others, and put in a gutsy effort to win the Elite B stage.  The toll on his legs will hopefully not be too much.

Stage 4 - Cracker of a CritWith Sean full of excuses as to why he hadn’t won a stage yet, it was his last chance to have a go.  And with that he got in a break away, and even saw the front a couple of times (alleged only, no proof available).  Matt Vagg worked well blocking the chasing pack, and even threw himself to the ground on the final lap to slow up the chase.  All went to plan and Sean finally had a go and found himself across the line first.

Other theories have it that Matt was after an excuse as to why Sean beat him in the GC, and thought a broken collar bone should do the trick.

Sean Golding