A beautiful day greeted the riders for the NSW Masters Road Championship in Port Macquarie on Saturday 17th May. First off were Alan Miller & Lance McDonald in Masters 7, both riders stayed with the peloton for the first few laps. Unfortunately for Lance, the Masters 6 peloton past the 7 peloton and he was caught out with the other riders and cars, therefore he dropped off. His position is to be confirmed.
Alan was dropped from the peloton, but as always he kept going and recorded a 9th placing. He told me that he wanted to place in the top 10, so he had his own personal win on the day. After what Alan has been going through with his illness his story is an inspiration.
Next off was Glenn O’Grady in Masters 5 over 72 kms. Glenn was always up the front and the road started to point to the sky. A very strong rider broke away from the peloton and stayed away for the rest of the race. Glenn was often seen at the front working to bridge the gap, however the peloton was racing for second. With a few hundred metres to go Glenn was again at the front, he accepted that he was not going to place (plus he was also most likely cooked) so he was happy to sit up. He recorded a 12th placing. Glenn has done a lot of training for the event and is looking very fit, he is racing A grade at club racing so he should be very proud of his achievements.
Wayne Farrell contested the Masters 4 event over 72 kms. The level of rider in this division is very good and over this very lumpy course Wayne found the pace tough. At one stage of the race he looked at me with painful eyes stating it is a very hard course, I did not have the heart to mention that the car was not having a problem. Good on you Wayne for making the effort to race the event and even better for finishing and recording a placing of 28th. Wayne must also be out there doing the training as he is looking for a win in B Grade, keep going mate it is only a matter of time.
Vanessa McDonald raced in division 2, the race was contested by women’s 1 to 3. Vanessa ended up with second place for the race and her division, only losing by half a wheel in a sprint finish. Vanessa’s sprint has been her weakness in the past, but now look out as she has been doing sprint sessions. Hills are Vanessa’s liking which is lucky because the course has very few flat bits. Her ability enabled her to take the Queen of the Mountain jersey which was one of her goals for the race. Well done and congratulations on a great race.
Sean Golding, Craig Scott & Matt Vagg raced in division 1 to 2. Matt had a minor off which put him out of the race, once he got back on the bike the peloton was gone. Sean and Craig suffered leg and lung malfunctions and withdraw from the race.
On Sunday the NSW Masters Criterium Championships were held in very windy conditions. Not sure how the individual races panned out, however Glenn O’Grady finished 12th, Lance McDonald 5th, Alan Miller raced however at this stage I do not have a result for him. Sean raced, but the windy conditions made it very difficult as he had to close gaps all the time, this resulted in a DNF.
Vanessa McDonald made the gold & black proud by taking out her division in very impressive style. The race started very slowly so Vanessa thought she would test the other riders on the second lap. This was the last time the other riders saw Vanessa as she set a good tempo for herself and finished with a 45 second lead. By being out the front by her self she picked up the two prime prizes. Vanessa had a lot of support from the Coffs Club members with time checks and lots of encouragement throughout the race. Vanessa is very proud of her efforts and is already looking at the calendar for another challenge.
The riders put the effort in on their bikes, but I am sure they would like to thank all their family that went down to watch and support. For me I would like to thank Alex, Zoe & Laila for being great kids, I know they are very proud of their mum.
David McDonald
Alan was dropped from the peloton, but as always he kept going and recorded a 9th placing. He told me that he wanted to place in the top 10, so he had his own personal win on the day. After what Alan has been going through with his illness his story is an inspiration.
Next off was Glenn O’Grady in Masters 5 over 72 kms. Glenn was always up the front and the road started to point to the sky. A very strong rider broke away from the peloton and stayed away for the rest of the race. Glenn was often seen at the front working to bridge the gap, however the peloton was racing for second. With a few hundred metres to go Glenn was again at the front, he accepted that he was not going to place (plus he was also most likely cooked) so he was happy to sit up. He recorded a 12th placing. Glenn has done a lot of training for the event and is looking very fit, he is racing A grade at club racing so he should be very proud of his achievements.
Wayne Farrell contested the Masters 4 event over 72 kms. The level of rider in this division is very good and over this very lumpy course Wayne found the pace tough. At one stage of the race he looked at me with painful eyes stating it is a very hard course, I did not have the heart to mention that the car was not having a problem. Good on you Wayne for making the effort to race the event and even better for finishing and recording a placing of 28th. Wayne must also be out there doing the training as he is looking for a win in B Grade, keep going mate it is only a matter of time.
Vanessa McDonald raced in division 2, the race was contested by women’s 1 to 3. Vanessa ended up with second place for the race and her division, only losing by half a wheel in a sprint finish. Vanessa’s sprint has been her weakness in the past, but now look out as she has been doing sprint sessions. Hills are Vanessa’s liking which is lucky because the course has very few flat bits. Her ability enabled her to take the Queen of the Mountain jersey which was one of her goals for the race. Well done and congratulations on a great race.
Sean Golding, Craig Scott & Matt Vagg raced in division 1 to 2. Matt had a minor off which put him out of the race, once he got back on the bike the peloton was gone. Sean and Craig suffered leg and lung malfunctions and withdraw from the race.
On Sunday the NSW Masters Criterium Championships were held in very windy conditions. Not sure how the individual races panned out, however Glenn O’Grady finished 12th, Lance McDonald 5th, Alan Miller raced however at this stage I do not have a result for him. Sean raced, but the windy conditions made it very difficult as he had to close gaps all the time, this resulted in a DNF.
Vanessa McDonald made the gold & black proud by taking out her division in very impressive style. The race started very slowly so Vanessa thought she would test the other riders on the second lap. This was the last time the other riders saw Vanessa as she set a good tempo for herself and finished with a 45 second lead. By being out the front by her self she picked up the two prime prizes. Vanessa had a lot of support from the Coffs Club members with time checks and lots of encouragement throughout the race. Vanessa is very proud of her efforts and is already looking at the calendar for another challenge.
The riders put the effort in on their bikes, but I am sure they would like to thank all their family that went down to watch and support. For me I would like to thank Alex, Zoe & Laila for being great kids, I know they are very proud of their mum.
David McDonald
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