Jack McDonough Memorial Race - Saturday 14th April 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012 at 6:41PM The Northern Combine road racing season kicks off for 2012 on Saturday 14th April in the Macedon Ranges with the traditional season opener, the Jack McDonough Memorial. The 9th edition of this race will be held on the Kyneton Pastoria circuit and see 150 riders battle it out over five grades. The 21km circuit is tough and undulating and takes in the Bald Hill climb on each lap.
Race background
Jack McDonough began his cycling career in 1947 with the Brunswick Cycling Club. Within three years he had launched into a professional riding career with the Coburg Cycling Club.
Jack McDonough winning one of his Sun Tour stage victories.
The man nicknamed “Mountain Goat” rode 16 Sun Tours, is best remembered for his efforts in leading the 1957 Tour for 7 days before loosing the leaders yellow jersey to the legendary Russell Mockeridge on the final day. He eventually finished 45 seconds behind Mockeridge in third place, but still won the King of the Mountains competition.
In 1970 he joined the Victorian Pedal Club where he taught children the basics of cycling and road safety for more than 20 years.
He was a life member of the Coburg Pedal Club, Victorian Pedal Club, Coburg Cycling Club and League of Victorian Wheelmen (now CSV) and on the Sun Tour organizing committee for more than 10 years.
Sunbury Cycling Club and committee member Luke McDonough has been involved in competitive cycling since he was a kid and has some fond memories of his fathers racing days and community involvement in kids cycling.
"Dad held the record for number of rides in the Sun Tour. He was “unlucky” to come up against one of Australia’s greatest ever cyclists in Russell Mockeridge (who went on the Olympics and Tour de France), but he still managed stage wins, KOM champ, Sprint champ and 3rd GC twice."
"The “Pedal Club” was a cycling skills/racing conducted on football ovals between the 60’s to 90’s for kids 5-16 years old (Olympic medalist Raeleen Boyle was the most famous participant) many other riders went on to road racing."
Luke's uncle Norm McDonough joined Brunswick at the same time and went on to become a life member of Brunswick (and 2nd place in Grafton-Inverall).
Norm will be at the race to help with presentations.
The Sunbury CC committee would encourage as many Sunbury, Brunswick and Coburg members racing as we can get to support this wonderful race and season opener.
Race Information:
Circuit: Kyneton (Pastoria Loop)
Directions: From Melbourne travel up Calder Freeway till you reach the second Kyneton turn off. Once you exit the freeway turn right at the roundabout and then left on Saleyard Rd.
Parking & Toilets: Kyneton Saleyards
Registration: Sign-on approx 9 AM to 9:45AM. Briefing at 9:55 AM. Start 10 AM
Distance: A & B 105km (5 laps), C 84km (4laps), D & E 63km (3laps)
Entry fee: $15 for volunteers or $25 for non volunteers. No $50 or $100 notes accepted.
Prizemoney: $1200
Event Information: www.northerncombinecycling.org
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