SEASON OPENER: ELLEKER 18.5km TEAM TIME TRIAL – 30 November 2024 Albany Cycle Club, Western Australia’s best little cycling club, opened its 2025 season with the first of three time trials at the popular Elleker circuit. Eighteen riders lined up, departing in teams at one minute intervals to complete two laps for a total of 18.5 kilometres. The only strategy being to do that distance as fast as possible without blowing up. The club welcomed a number of new riders on the day; Colin Rose, who rode as an individual, and Jacob Greenwood and Sam Turbill who, being newish to the sport rode with the more experienced Steve Maguire and Jill Bascombe. This group completed the course in 33.41 minutes at an impressive 33kmh. The trio of Blyth Andrews, Alex Poulton and Liz Cooper completed the course at an average speed of 36.9kmh, narrowly missing going under the 30-minute mark. The following trio of Mike Staude, Paul Gibson and Matt Bascombe did squeak under the magic 30 minutes, averaging 37.9kmh but were well beaten into fourth by the Denmark troika of Dave Beckwith, Brad Bradshaw and Mike Garland who zipped around the course at 38.3kmh for a time of 29 minutes flat. In the battle of the duos, Joel and Jessica Davison completed the course in 27.51, but were 20 seconds in arrears to Brent Schoof and Camrin Maguire, whose time of 27.32 netted them the win for fastest team on the day. However, none of the teams were a match for Walpole based Colin Rose. Rose, clearly a time trial specialist, averaged 42.6kmh, 2kmh faster than Schoof and Maguire, to claim fastest time for the day at 26.05. A very impressive debut. The season opening time trial series continues for the next two Saturday mornings at Elleker, starting at 7am. Thanks to our volunteers who did the signage, marshalled the turn and timed the riders. |