Good evening and welcome to the MMBCC update. Lots to catch up on…
MMBCC Christmas Party is go!
It’ll be held at the Mansfield Hotel (in the courtyard, under the tree - or in the function room if the weather’s not nice) on the evening of Tuesday 17 December starting at 6.30. (We promise not to eat all the food before those racing at Dirt Crits get there!)
Please RSVP to either Judi Duke via email or on 0417 551 116 or Kate Stonnill via email or on 0438 098 594… by Tuesday 10 December!
Brendon’s Three-peat
By Janine Appleton
There were 24 starters for the Alain Guerin Memorial Handicap on Thursday night, with near perfect conditions over the 29km. This is the fifth year the Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club has held this memorial race to remember a friend and celebrate his life.
Alain Guerin was riding on Mt Buller Road in the middle of the day in November 2014, when he was hit from behind. The driver was charged with dangerous driving causing death due to being on his phone at the time he hit Alain. It is a very simple message. If you drive distracted - you may kill someone.
That person has family that will miss them forever. That person lives in your community - a student at the high school, a plumber, a nurse or your child’s teacher. That person volunteers in your community as a coach in the swimming club or is a member of the CFA. That person loves riding their bike for their long-term health.
It’s a reminder that the roads are for everyone to share. If you see a single cyclist, a pair or a group, please adjust your speed accordingly. Always look ahead and plan your passing to give cyclists a safe space - a minimum passing distance of 1.5 metres in speed zones over 60km/h)
In the race, most groups were stretched early due to the inclusion of four riders from the Hometec Shutters team (the team Alain’s sons Jean-Daniel and Laurent ride for). This was most evident in the Scratch group of local riders Steve Brown and Josh Hopwood being blasted off in the first kilometre by last year’s winner, Brendon Green.
With 10km to go, Brendon caught the last of the larger groups. He stormed past them which resulted in only his father, Guy Green, tucking in behind him. It wasn’t until the Coombesberg, less than 1 km to go, that the front rider for the whole race, Hunter Reeve, succumbed to Brendon’s immense average speed of 39.5km/h for his third win in a row at this race.
Final results were Brendon Green 1st. 15 seconds behind his father, Guy Green, was 2nd. Local rider, 15 year old Hunter Reeve was 3rd. A group of five, Simon Bone, Cam Lachal, James Black, Mauro Brega and Talia Appleton rode in together for 4th to 8th.
Special thanks to Jodie Batchelor for attending the race from Adelaide, for assessing newly registered Cycling Victoria Commissaires.
Here are the results and thanks to Tony Copland, Laurent Guerin and Bruce Halket for the following pics.
Bobby and River the new wave
Another huge night at Dirt Crits with 21 entrants for a varied number of laps around Damian’s favourite circuit. In a great night for the wave of junior riders coming through, Bobby Ritchie took the win ahead of River Reeve and the ‘forever young’ Damian Grundy, Sean Gannon and Ariel Stava.
Here are the results.
Adam Baker wins
Even though the MMBCC is no longer a BMX club, Adam Baker has produced some great results lately to take out the Victorian State Series in 40-44 Men’s Cruiser Class. Adam raced six of the eight rounds all across the state - Warrnambool, Lilydale, Mildura, Bendigo, Park Orchards and Portland - and with five 2nd places and a win in the final round enough to wrap up the series win.
Congratulations Adam and good luck next weekend at the Victorian titles.
AusCycling vote update
Road is still in the balance; it seems Tasmania will be the deciding state. NSW and WA have voted no (although there might be a challenge to the validity of the NSW vote) so if it votes yes, Tassie will be the necessary sixth state needed for AusCycling to go ahead. We’ll know soon.
Surprisingly, BMX Victoria voted no but it seems there will still be enough states voting yes for an overall yes from BMX. (So MMBCC might become a BMX club again soon… )
MTBA is still unknown; a 75% yes vote from individual members is required. If you haven’t voted yet, please remember to send through your proxy vote.
News just in from Tasmania…
Round 2 of the Enduro World Series was held this weekend at Derby in Tasmania. The Empeys and Green travelled down to fly the flag for the MMBCC, with some great results!
Elise Empey won the Junior Womens category while Bella Green just missed the podium in 4th.
Matt Empey finished 8th in the highly competitive under 21’s; Zac Empey finished 15th in Junior Men and old man Dave Empey 8th in Masters Men.
Thanks to Alex Green for the pics.