Race Report

We learned at the Earlybirds that when Eddy says he will have a go at the course record that we should pay attention: that record is in dire trouble. Well, Eddy set the record so Eddy felt free to make a mess of it. Poor Mark Williamson, who wasn't exactly waiting around for him, had to watch as Eddy flew past even before they had completed the 7k loop. We definitely shouldn't place as much credence on Tim Roberts' assessment of his own form: he figured he was good for a 70min performance. Welcome back Tim! And sandwiched between those two performances was that of Tyson. He looked every bit focussed and determined before his ride; and it was a terrific ride.

There were heaps of other fine performances: relaxed as usual beforehand, Steph took home a couple of gold medals; Young Amy added a couple of gold to her ever-increasing collection; Tessa elegantly pursued a couple of bronze in her return after a couple of months' break; Nigel once again has the 30kph target in sight but had both Karl and Peter not far behind him today.

It was clearly not an easy day despite the early calm. Maybe a bit of a demonstration of this came from the irrepressible Steve Jansen who had several attempts over the distance but on the second trip down to Lakes Rd, made it in 1½ minutes less than the first ride only to take nearly 5 minutes longer than first on the way back! Prize for generous gesture of the day has to go to young Brett Gillespie who nobley sacrificed his ride and a wheel to his father who had punctured!

But the big thanks of the day must go, as usual to the people who helped run the event: Starter Neil who left home in Kojonup at some ungodly hour to get to Hopeland at a still ungodly hour; Rod, Cathi and Chris who looked after the turn and timing at Lakes Rd; Ronni and Brian and Harry & Mrs Perry who marshalled the other corners; Kirsten who organised the marshal list and did her turn after she had ridden the tandem; Jenny who looked after the registrations throughout assisted by Jules until she had to come and call numbers for the timekeeper; Mel who looked after the results board as usual and Laurie Livie, Ray Hawkins and Kevan Logan from WCMCC who helped by holding riders at the start, directing parking and checking events out on the course; and there was Lorraine who had made sure there was sufficient energy replacement to sustain riders and various helpers. Then there was Tony VanM who helped sweep the corners even though much of our job there seemed to have been pre-empted by the 'phantom sweeper' some days before. And the people who simply helped without being noticed. Many thanks to The Department of Planning And Infrastructure, Bikewest and the Hopeland Community