Teardrop HCP – 24 February 2024

There was a highly controversial finish at the recent Albany Cycle Club Teardrop Handicap in Denmark. The post-race drama erupted when nearly the entire field confronted race organisers to complain, vociferously, that the promised tailwind for the last 20 kilometres of the torturously hard course did not eventuate, and they had to contend with a thumping headwind for the entire journey. Organisers tried to plead the BOM defence, but early legal advice considers this flimsy, and it will not stand scrutiny in the Court of Arbitration for Sport where this case looks like it is heading.

In a further dollop of controversy, there were mutterings about the aesthetic elements of the course. While the iconic snow walls are not a guarantee at this time of year, there is usually at least a nestling of remnant snow around the trees and a lushness and serenity to riding in this part of the world. Competitors were taken aback by the Gobiesque nature of the surroundings; barren and dry and carpeted in leaves and sticks and serpents.

The handicap format of the race sees competitors set off at intervals intricately calculated to give all a reasonable chance of victory. The ‘Go’ group of Lucy Wellstead and Shirley Thurston led the field away on the 15 kilometre climb from the start at Rockcliffe Winery to the first turn at McLeod Road. While the steepness of this climb varies and the overall gradient is relatively shallow, it kicks up in steps and there is no doubt that once the summit is reached, the riders are feeling the effects in their legs. This however is just the taster. Following the ‘Go” group, the remaining competitors set off at designated intervals with the 17 minute group of Greg Newton, Mike Garland, Russell Hart and Alex Poulton looking like a particular threat.

The left turn at McLeod Road took racers across the top of the ridge to the fastest part of the course, the descent of the Teardrop. However, that joy was short lived, and the major climb of the day started to claim its victims. The remnants of ‘Chopping Block,’ Colin Ashton Graham and Jimmy Watmore, caught the two groups in front of them.  Luckily for the Newton led group, that catch occurred at the top of the climb and they were able to stay together, forming a strong group. 

On the return to Alpaca the course took riders further west, essentially downhill. This provided those struggling to regain some form of composure and a brief respite prior to the successive uphills that followed the turn around. For those still with life in the legs, the ascents back to the top of the course at Alpaca offered further chances to improve their position prior to the all out ‘slogfest’ that was the final ‘downhill’ back to the finish. By the time the Newton group reached Alpaca for the final time they just had Jeff Barnes, John Toomey and Liz Cooper out in front of them and about 15 kilometres in which to make the catch.

With some group members starting to cramp and struggle with the pace, it was Alex Poulton who showed that he had the strongest set of legs and led the charge down the hill, passing Toomey who had been jettisoned by Barnes and collecting Cooper who, once caught,  hung on grimly. At about 200 metres in arrears Dave Beckwith tried to bridge the gap, but could not make headway, even when Newton joined him for the second half of the descent. The gap never really got any bigger, but neither did it get any smaller.

Despite the heroics of the chase by Poulton, Jeff Barnes was gone and away, comfortably across the line in first about 90 seconds ahead of the six-up sprint for the minor placings. Jimmy Watmore, snuck past Poulton to snatch second, with Poulton grabbing a well deserved place on the podium in third. It was less than a minute later that the next four riders crossed the line, among them Brett Dal Pozzo recording the fastest time of the day, 1.18.21 at an eye-watering 38.1kms per hour. Liz Cooper took the honours for fastest female in 1.40.44. 

A huge thanks as always to the volunteer marshals for manning the corners and ensuring the safety of riders, the timekeepers and the sign setters/collectors.