Bike Force MCC Takes on the Queensland Road Team Series
Newly established Bike Force MCC debuted in the first round of the Queensland Road Team Series at Gatton just over a week ago. Team captain Jeff Collier says that the idea behind Bike Force is to give junior club cyclists an opportunity to experience racing at an elite level. "With focused dedication and a willingness to excel in the sport, there is a great opportunity.”
The Queensland Road Team Series attracts the best cycling teams in Queensland and interstate, with many of the competitors prominent at a national level. Set in the beautiful Darling Downs, the first round included a 15km individual time trial on Saturday morning, followed by a 97km road race in the afternoon. On Sunday morning the riders experienced a challenging 110km road race with a sprint and KOM in each of five laps.
Over the five round series, the team’s goals are to have as many riders finish in the top half of the field as possible and pick up points with the sprint finishes. “We achieved our objective and will take this racing experience into the next round in June,” says Jeff. “Our best result came on Sunday with Robert Quinn finishing in 25th place. The top 30 places received points with each finishing rider also receiving team points. Although we weren’t at the pointy end of the racing we were certainly able to be competitive against an elite peloton of riders. The experience that the younger members of the team gained will be invaluable for all future racing.”
As part of the weekend there was a grand fondo Ride The Lockyer Valley with entry proceeds supporting the flood victims. Bike Force MCC support crew tested their legs in this ride for a very worthy cause.
Bike Force MCC racing team for first round:
Jeff Collier (team captain), Scott Green, Karl Dehaen, John Hampson, Jason Denson, Robert Quinn
Support crew:
Craig Reston, Paul Howard, Matt File (team manager), Hayley Scott, Peter McMahon (commissaire representative)
Bike Force MCC debut in their first team series
Battle on Our Borders
MCC members delivered some outstanding results in the gruelling Battle on the Border contested on home turf over the weekend.
Jeff Collier triumphed over the Masters C field, winning three out of four races. Jason Denson achieved 6th place overall in Masters B and came 3rd overall in King of the Mountain. Kirsty Wright placed 9th overall against Womens B riders, finishing close to or with the lead pack in the arduous first and last stages. John Hampson placed 16th overall, racing Elite A riders. Despite having to pull out of the last race due to a crash in the criterium, Sam Anderson came 3rd in the time trial race against Elite B riders. Sixteen year old MCC cyclists, Mitchell Hancock and Jamie Cosier, also proved their courage and determination by competing against Elite B riders.
Hats off to everyone who participated in the racing, and a special thanks to those club members who volunteered and assisted in the smooth running of races.
In other News:
Variations of the Tyalgum Cup loop are included in other races over the season. The race on Saturday, May 25, will complete the entire Tyalgum loop. This is one for the climbers with 1341m of vertical climbing for A, B and C Grades, and 941m for D, E Grades. Visitors welcome.
Please phone Debbie Cosier on 0400 078 555 with stories that may be newsworthy.
