Childers tests Wide Bay Cup cyclists

Cyclists from Bundaberg and the Fraser Coast encountered testing conditions in the second running of the Wide Bay Cup at Childers on Sunday.

A total of 44 riders nominated for the event including nine junior riders.

While the juniors were confined to a 20-minute circuit and three final laps around the town area, seniors embarked on a more ambitious 60km course which involved three 20-kilometre laps and a “killer hill” on the final climb back into Childers.

The warm and windy conditions and tough gradients took their toll on some riders who were unable to complete the course.

However a few of those who failed to finish admitted it was simply great to be back on a bicycle and competing.

Junior riders took to their race with vigour and in a competitive finish Under 15 rider Max Clancy from the Bundaberg Cycling Club edged our Miller McDonnell and Oscar Schoff, both from Fraser Coast.

The senior Wide Bay Cup race was run as a handicap with scratch marker Col Curry starting 31 minutes behind the first group. Col was first home at the 2 hours 8 minutes and 10 seconds mark posting an actual riding time of one hour 37 minutes and 10 seconds for the 60km.

Curry wheeled home ahead of under 17 rider Harry Schoff (2:8:44) and Phil Muller (2:09:06).

All three riders are from the Fraser Coast Cycling Club which managed to fill the top four positions.

The club also boasted the first female rider home with Under 19 rider Shelby Anderson finishing in seventh place.

Rob Gardner who also rode off scratch was the first Bundaberg Cycling Club rider home finishing in fifth place.

All riders were full of praise for the organisation of the event and the support provided by volunteers.

Details of the Wide Bay Cup including finishing times are available on the Bundaberg and Fraser Coast Cycling Club’s Facebook pages.

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