Jamieson scores win in season opener.

This weekend saw Sunbury extremely well represented at the Jack McDonough Memorial, the traditional Northern Combine season opener at Pastoria, just outside of Kyneton. 17 Sunbury members saddled up to race in all grades, which included a number of new members racing for the first time. Sunbury members also contributed to the successful running of the race, assisting in race co-ordination and organisation, entry desk and registration, corner marshal and commissaries duties. The highlight was the gutsy B grade win for one of our up and coming young guns, Heath Jamieson. Heath has been in good form over the summer, but showed us that he is ready for the next step, by riding a smart and strong race. "Heath looked strong all day, no doubt" said SCC member Paddy McIntyre after finishing in B grade ("about 10 positions") and a minute behind Heath. "Coming into the final lap, Heath moved a head of me to take a turn at the front and I just reminded him to keep riding smart and save some energy for the finish which he did. He outsprinted some very capable and strong riders, and that takes strength and race craft".

Other fantastic results saw Col Bell take a very well deserved 3rd place in C grade with George Gabranis finishing 5th. Jem Richards was just edged out for 3rd in D grade after leading the field up and over the final brutal climb of Bald Hill. Other reports over all grades saw all Sunbury members put in some outstanding efforts in the warm conditions, and this has the entire club excited about our prospects for the 2012 road season.

Next week we head out to Balliang for the Hell of the West. Why is the race called as such? Stay tuned for reports next week!!

In the mean time, if you are curious about how much fun it is racing and think you may want to be part of a fantastic club, send us an email to info@sunburycycling.org.