WITH the right conditions and an in-form rider there’s every chance that the track record could fall at this Sunday’s Bathurst Cycling Club Time Trial Championships.
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The A grade contest is set to be a cracker as riders not only line up with the chance to take home gold but the opportunity to break the 11-year course record.
Dean Windsor’s time of 20 minutes and 21 seconds has remained untouched as the club record for 11 years but riders have come close to that mark on the 15.2 kilometre course at Perthville.
This year Richard Hobson managed a time of 20:28 – just a second shy of his own personal best – while Ryan O’Donnell has produced a time of 20:48.
Club road racing co-ordinator O’Donnell said there’s a great list of candidates lining up to try and take the gold.
“One to watch will be Jayson Austin who has just come back from winning a State Track Masters gold medal. He trains with us in the mornings and he’s riding well,” he said.
"Nick North has just come back from a great result at the Huskisson Triathlon. And you can’t forget Steve Bennett if he lines up.
I’d say that the top five guys will all be within around 15 seconds of each other.”
- Ryan O'Donnell
“Another notable rider to watch will be Mark Windsor, even though he’s been doing a lot of triathlon lately.”
Riders have had good opportunities to practice their solo skills thanks to the Thursday Individual Time Trial series, where the A grade victory was taken by O’Donnell.
Whether the magical 20:21 mark will be met will have a lot to do on the weather, which might not be at its finest for Sunday.
“Typically if it’s hotter, around the 28 to 30 mark, then you get faster times because the air is less dense. It’s supposed to be around 24 on Sunday,” O’Donnell said.
“The wind has a lot more to play in it though. There’s meant to be a bit of a breeze in the morning.
“I’d say that the top five guys will all be within around 15 seconds of each other.”
The action in lower grade racing is expected to be just as fierce.
“In B grade Stephen Jackson, Scott James and several others will in the contest for that medal,” O’Donnell said.
“I’d say C grade has been the closest contest so far. Donna Scott has been riding well there, and Jill Harris will be another to watch.”