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Mansfield Mad Dash Ends in Twilight Drama
By MC Spandex
The Mansfield Mad Dash delivered yet another thrilling sunset showdown last Thursday, as riders battled crosswinds, questionable tactics and a disastrous gravel detour in this week’s handicap race.
And a big welcome to Bill Bainger (visiting from SA for a few months) for his first outing with the MMBCC.
Micala Jacobs set off first, riding a smooth, metronomic pace, while the faster riders behind worked in groups, chasing hard. Simon Mulvihill, Heath Hammond and Mick Pearce executed a perfect echelon, slicing through the field like a well-oiled machine.
Further back, an unnamed rider made a bold but disastrous move, veering onto a gravel in the hopes a detour may alleviate the pain in the legs. His bike wobbled violently as he fought to keep momentum, watching helplessly as the race disappeared ahead.
Meanwhile, Andy Garrett, the final rider to start, was unleashed like a sunset Terminator. Devouring the field at an alarming rate, he blew past struggling competitors, his aero silhouette cutting through the golden light like a hunting falcon.
But Andy had left his charge too late. Mick Pearce’s echelon group, working like a machine, held him off to take the win just as the last light of the sun faded.
At the finish line, exhausted riders swapped stories of crosswinds, magpie attacks and gravel-fueleld regret with Mick Pearce 1st, Simon Mulvihill 2nd and Heath Hammond 3rd.
The Mansfield Mad Dash had once again lived up to its name - a race full of thrills, spills, and lessons in why you should never trust a gravel shortcut. The best part being riders get to take it on again next Thursday night - two and a half laps around the Merinda Way Loop.
Many thanks to all our dedicated volunteers and officials and to Tony for his photos. Here are the results, including the updated, revised version.
Dirt Crits Irish Handicap - Tue 18 Feb
By Damian Grundy
It was a pleasant evening, not baking hot. A small crew of committed mountain bikers lined up for another roll in the dice in the dust.
A relatively simple lap of approximately 2.9km had been set and as usual riders were competing together but based on ability and fitness their number of laps varied.
Shooting off first was Ant Bateup with 5 laps followed a minute and a half later by Ryder Chadd also on 5 laps. And so followed the rest at their allotted timed and with their individual numbers of laps.
Cody Stephens put in a blistering first lap and was looking good for a high placing.
The leading riders kept turning away and approaching the finish it was Tom Logan-Williams with a ever decreasing lead over the hard charging young fella Ben Ross.
Tom had just enough juice in the tank to resist young Ben’s charge and he crossed the line first to win the night. Ben Ross finished barely a bike’s length back in 2nd. David Bock was third and Tim Ross fourth with Cody Stephens holding on for fifth Less than a minute separated the top five! Well done to Ben Ross who had the fastest lap times for the evening.
Here are the results. Next week it’s Gravity Enduro time again.
All aboard!
This is your last chance to order club kit from the Ventou MMBCC Portal. Especially if you want a nice, warm jacket for the upcoming cooler months. Email Bruce for the code.