Team Wilson HTM, this time it’s Roland.

Former professional Cyclist, Mark Roland, has taken out the 3rd installment of the Nundah Cycle Series, edging out hosts club’s Chris Williams of Victor Bronco’s for the victory in strong winds and high speeds. The duo broke clear in the closing stages of today’s race that had 5 riders of Wilson dominate the entire race and coming up with 3 wins from 3 starts from the impressive racing squad

47 riders set to the start line this day in the 1 hour + 4 lap affair. The race was punctuated with 5 sprint primes provided by the Victor Bronco’s club. Today’s format would see the A graders having to catch their B grade competitors twice if they were to contest for the victory. The pace was very high in both fields and B grade was working very hard to stay away, much faster than in previous races. B Grade would enjoy 37 minutes without the A graders ramping the pace up to a point where 9 riders would be eligible to win.

The wind was a huge factor today; it was blustery from the start and only ever increased through out the 60 minutes + 4 lap event.

The first sprint went to Chris Kelly (Team Triple Play) showing some good form after a good block of training, with the B grade field just re-composing and getting on with keeping the A grade field at bay. After just 15 minutes of racing, a charging A grade field made their first contact with B. With rules commanding the B field to allow the pass, A grade would then be off in search of absorbing the group again. With A grade moving clear, the second of 5 primes would be taken out by Stephen Handerick also of Team Triple Play.

Team Wilson HTM really turned the screws around the 20 minute mark reducing the field to around 15. Mark Ledgerwood really put the hurt on as he stretched the entire A elite field, then stepping off the front taking a rider with him. At this point, counter attack after counter attack played out with the A field diminishing due to wind and high speeds.

Jake Schelberg (MB Coaching) would take out the 3rd sprint prime ahead of 4 riders with the B field still holding good tempo. A grade would be again too strong and at the 37 minute mark and the call for sprint number 4, A grade made contact with the B field, swelling the group size to around 30 riders.

Chris White (Wilson HTM) took out the 4th sprint showing good form coming into the “Dash for Cash” slated for November 3, Team Wilson enjoying a numerical advantage over Ord Minnett, Merida, Triple Play, MB Coaching and other sundry riders. The 45 minute mark would see the field split into 3 distinct groups.

Group 1 had Mark Roland, Mark Ledgerwood, Steven George, Greg Campbell and Chris White (Wilson HTM), Gavin Nichol (Ord Minnett) Matthew Smith (2XU-Bike Sales) Martin Pearce, Chris Williams (Team Merida).

Group 2 was a mixture of teams represented in the break, but notably Chris Kelly and Stephen Handerick had missed the break for Triple Play. Carly Hibberd and Imogen Smith were in this group also.

Group 3 where the remnants of B grade that missed the split due to the sudden increase in speed A grade injected into the field.

At the 50 minute mark, Mark Roland took out the sprint allowing the field to bring him back and start chopping off. The pace was very high and the break was now out of sight, establishing 45 seconds and ever increasing the gap. With 5 minutes remaining the ever aggressive Chris Williams hit it off the front only to be tagged by Mark Roland. With Wilson having 5 of the 9 riders in the break, it would be up to Smith, Pearce and Nichol to sacrifice.

With a combination of great strength from the escapees and a lack of co-operation in the break, it would be Williams and Roland contesting the win. They would not have it all their own way as with 3 laps to go, Mark Ledgerwood hit off the front with Gavin Nichol and these were then joined by George and Smith. White and Pearce followed in the wheels but with the counter attacking back in the break, Williams and Roland would enjoy a 25 second gap on the last lap and with lap times around the 130-140 mark, the winner would come from these two.

Last lap and Chris Williams ignites affairs with a strong move into the head wind of the back part of the course. Roland keeps him in check and simply rolls through, not intimidated by Williams obvious form. The pair came into the tail wind finish together with 300 metres to race, with Williams on the front and going full gas, he is now out of the saddle with Roland stuck to his rear wheel. Roland finds the left hand side of the straight and is head down throwing every watt into his machine- it is a bike length and he is the winner with Williams conceding before the line, sitting up “allowing” Roland to take the spoils.

Back on to the finishing straight and it is Steven George and Matthew Smith dicing it out for the final 2 spots, George on the front in an attempt to muscle out Smith, the track and road champion pushing Smith to the line with Smith getting it in the throw.

Carly Hibberd took out the female category ahead of Jesse and Imogen Smith

Most aggressive was awarded to a very deserving Chris Williams for an outstanding show of Cycling.

Steven George is currently leading the vote for best and fairest with 2 wins and a fourth. Place your votes for your best and fairest at sign in.

Results

1st Mark Roland Wilson HTM
2nd Chris Williams Merida
3rd Matt Smith 2XU- Bike Sales
4th Steven George Wilson HTM

Sprint Primes

1 Chris Kelly Triple Play
2 Stephen Handerick Triple Play
3 Jake Schelberg MB Coaching
4 Chris White Wilson HTM
5 Mark Roland Wilson HTM

Most Aggressive

Chris Williams Merida

Women

1st Carly Hibberd
2nd Jesse
3rd Imogen Smith