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May 3, 2021

TCC Power Couple and Gibbs-Fife duos wreak havoc in D and C Grade Criteriums

Teamwork makes the dreamwork sets the theme for Townsville Cycle Club on the final day of the 2021 Mackay Open. 

The day opened with the Rogers Memorial Handicap. Our 11 representatives were spread across the field from the 0 minute group through to scratch. 

The wind continued to have an effect on the racing, as no group was able to catch the one ahead within the 44km race. 

Townsville Cycle Club managed to sneak onto the podium with Naomi Land and Alicia Harris finished 8th and 10th respectively. The pair were also rewarded with 1st and 3rd females. 

Kyle Gibbs continued his fine form as he finished second in the junior category. 

The focus then shifted onto the final event of the weekend, the graded criteriums. 

The Palmyra Drag Strip was to be the venue and what a technical circuit it was, making for some truly exciting racing. 

The A Grade field was absolutely decimated. 

Zac Ryan shot like a bullet out of a gun and before the crowd knew it Mackay had a solo rider out the front, leaving Ben Lawes and Marvin Baumeister Schoenian in a chase group of four. 

Ben Lawes was unlucky to miss out on a podium spot in the bunch sprint for minor placings. 

Our B Grade representatives Stephanie Corset and Briana McDonald put up a brave fight in the wind and technical course however were left in small chase groups of their own. 

The B Grade pair finished as 1st and 2nd woman respectively. 

Once more the stories of the day belong to C Grade, with the need of a special mention to the D Grade event. 

After their best attempts for a 1-2 finish yesterday in the C Grade road race, Kyle Gibbs and Jarrod Fife were not to be denied their opportunity today.

The dynamic duo broke away from the C Grade field and weren’t to be brought back, working together well until the finish and providing the Townsville Cycle Club first and second on the podium. 

VP-Development and Club Coach credits the boys’ success to their consistent and hard work in our Road Clinic sessions at the V8 track, which has included U-Turn and hairpin skills training. 

The club’s power couple were out to stamp their authority on the D Grade field as well, as Matt Harris launched attack after attack to wear out the field. 

At one point in the race the pair tried to break away together however a Rockhampton rider was aware of the danger and nullified their attempt. 

After a long range attack from Matt on the final lap, Alicia received a nice tow to the finish and managed to sprint for third overall and first woman. 

“I was definitely trying to wear out the bunch,” admitted Matt. 

“Every time I was exiting corners, if I was on the front, I had a gap, and so I just tried to solider on the best I could and it definitely gave me the confidence to take the last lap flyer.” 

All in all, the club had a very successful and very fun weekend and we look forward to our club championships in the coming weeks. 

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Photos courtesy of Kieron Place Art & Photography, Deanne Woods Photography and Amanda Wright.Â