Kyle Gibbs brings out the gun show as Townsville takes two golds on Day 1 of Mackay Open

Kyle Gibbs (C Grade) and Shane Marcus (A Grade) took to the top step of the podium for Townsville Cycle Club in their 35km and 70km respective road races.

A windy and undulating circuit tested our 11 Townsville Cycle Club riders who made the trek south for this year’s Mackay Open.

Six Townsville Cycle Club riders made their way onto the podium:

• Shane Marcus: 1st A Grade (70km road race)
• Stephanie Corset: 3rd B Grade, 1st B Grade Woman (70km road race)
• Briana McDonald: 2nd B Grade woman (70km road race)
• Kyle Gibbs: 1st C Grade, 1st u17 (35km road race)
• Alicia Harris: 1st D Grade woman (35km road race)
• Naomi Land: 3rd D Grade woman (35km road race)

Shane Marcus came to the finish line for the A Grade race in a break-away of two, out-sprinting his Mackay opponent. 

The winds had left the rest of the field scattered across the course.

Our two Townsville Cycle Club representatives in the B Grade race, Stephanie Corset and Briana McDonald took out first and second female respectively in their bunch sprint finish. 

Townsville Cycle Club’s power couple of President and VP – Development (Alicia and Matt Harris) took to the start line for D Grade along with Naomi Land. 

Alicia Harris finished as the first placed female with Naomi taking third placed female honours. 

However the story of the day belongs to young Kyle Gibbs who out-sprinted a field of highly experienced riders. 

Despite his best attempts for a break-away finish, Gibbs’ victory was not to be denied when it came down to a bunch finish. 

“I tried to break-away with Jarrod (Fife) in the last 10km but they brought us back in after being out there for a few kilometres,” said Gibbs. 

“The wind was brutal, I managed to protect myself well in the bunch to save enough energy for the finish.” 

Gibbs proceeded to flex further on his fellow competitors by sporting a muscle singlet to the presentations.

When faced with the reality of having to race a further 9km in the handicap on Sunday morning, Gibbs’ power move on the podium is sure to provide him the status within the peloton to dictate terms. 

Meanwhile, Briana McDonald welcomed the cut back in distance from her 70km B Grade road race, admitting praise to her God. 

The Mackay Open continues with the 44km Handicap and criteriums on Sunday 2 May.