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The Australian Road Titles have been run last week in the lead up to the World Road Titles in Wollongong last week.
Like so often, a contingent of riders representing the Dubbo Cycle Club where in the line-up, namely Emily Hines in the U15 division, Isabelle Russell in the U17 division and the Dubbo cycling ambassador Darrell Wheeler, who competed at the titles in Master 10+ division.
Day one was the time trial and for Emily Hines this was a 12km course. After a valiant effort Emily managed to finish just two minutes from the winner Megan Moore from Balmoral. Isabelle Russell settled into her targets to deliver a very good result coming in at 7th for an event both Emily and Isabelle had not expressly prepared in such a way as some of the others. These ladies are true racers, and so needed to use the course, conditions and the element of surprise to work on the riders representing the other states.
Day 2 was the Criterium and first up was Darrell Wheeler and having made his presence felt at the front of the bunch and working consistently with MMAS8 riders who are significantly younger. Darrell Managed to finish with the riders in the younger division and well in front of Bob Clarke from Waratahs Masters who took the silver medal. Emily Hines now amongst other riders held her own and made a great account of herself however without the sprinting firepower like the other riders and unable to break their collective stranglehold on the race to get away with others before the finish, Emily bravely finished only a couple of seconds from the winner in 7th. Isabelle Russell out in the afternoon had a similar but longer race. The U17W is an extremely competitive division which rivals know each other very well and are prepared to take any advantage to test their combatants.
On the last two days of the titles, the race that was intently waited for was about to start. This of course is the Australian Road Race Title.
Emily out first in the 35km road race, even though the course was undulating the group managed to keep together, in a sprint finish fellow New South Wales riders Elsie Apps took the title with Emily just a handful of meters behind in a battle to the line, this was an exceptional performance from Emily and it was clear that every ounce of energy was spent in the run to the line.
Isabelle Russell next to the start line focused on a good result in this event. Izzy prepared without missing a day or opportunity to better herself for the very important race ahead. During the race Isabelle was away for up to 35 seconds in a group of four riders but the race was brought back together once again, and the scene was set for yet another sprint finish. This time Isabelle determined as ever, grabbed a secure wheel in Nicole Duncan fellow NSW rider who was considered the favourite and took her on head-to-head in a gritty bid for the line. Nicole an exceptional talent was pushed to the limit by Isabelle. As they crossed the line Isabelle had grabbed second which she was very content with in such a tough race giving NSW an emphatic stamp of control over the Under 17 Women’s division. Last out and on the last day was Darrell Wheeler who made it 100% hit rate in a Gold in the Criterium and a Gold in the Road Race. Darrell is such a prolific winner that it is hard to imagine how a rival can best him with such meticulous preparation.
The Dubbo Cycle Club is wrapped in the performances of the riders and celebrate yet another successful road season.