After many months of success, it was a split decision on the prediction for today's Handicap Training Exercise winner. Half said the winner would be from Limit, the other half went for Block. Both groups were packed with in form riders and again enjoyed massive gaps. Scratch were destined to barely make up the numbers. Read on to find out which group took the victory.
Here is how the start for the August 2024 Handicap Training Exercise looked:
0:00 Glenn, Greg, Allan, Ian, Ken E and Richard W - Limit
1:30 Rob H, Chris, Tony and Tom - Block
2:00 Rob S, Seb, Jason, Frank, Jeff and Dave J - Scratch
Limit was jam packed with top class riders in peak form. With six top riders and a massive start on Block there was nothing to stop them storming to victory. The pace was on from the start with all 6 riders working hard and taking on some big turns. Eventually Ken E, Richard and Ian were unable to keep driving the pace and fell behind the group. This left 3 top riders to keep working and worry about who would win until a bit later.
Tom got Block off to a flyer with a super power turn. Once all 4 riders found their groove they moved together well and kept some solid pace.
Scratch got moving smoothly and started to find the pace required to make the catch, though many of the riders doubted it would be possible. Fortunately with some extra effort on the front they were able to join on the back of Block to form the Mega Group. However the extra surge had a cost and Rob S was unable to stay with the group.
The Mega Group kept moving well with Tom and Rob H contributing to the pace to make the catch of Limit a remote possibility.
With a lap to go Limit were still clear off the front and victory looked to be in sight.
But it wasn't t be. The Mega Group caught Limit to form the Super Mega Group. With less than a lap to go Tom and Dave J worked hard to keep the pace steady. Chris made a lunge for glory with Jason close behind followed by Seb and Frank. Chris wasn't able to challenge and Jason passed Seb for the win. Frank came in 3rd and Jeff 4th. This made for a rare 1,2,3,4 by Scratch riders.
Jason's win in the exercise made him the 5th winner in 6 exercises held in 2024, and only the 2nd rider to win from Scratch.
We all enjoyed a beverage as we discussed our achievements and opportunities for improvement.
Handicap Classic History
In 2017 a new activity was born. The monthly handicap classic. Riders are divided into groups according to perceived ability and set off from a standing start with a time gap in between each group with the goal of seeing who is first across the line. The top 3 in each activity so far are:
2017
Aug – PDC / Tom / Marcel
Sep – Jason / Chris / Dave J
Oct – Dave J / Jason / Rod
Nov – Dave J / Harry / Jason
Dec – Harry / Josh / Rene
2018
Jan – Mark / PDC / Colin
Feb – Tom / Chris / Josh
Mar - Jeff / Glenn / Colin
Apr - Dave J / Jeff / Rod
May - Jason / Rod / Andy
Jun - Harry / Chris / PDC
Jul - Harry / Jason / PDC
Aug - Chris / Dave J / Dave P
Sep - Andy / Jeff / Tom
Oct - Andy / Chris / Jason
Nov - Dave J / Jason / Chris
Dec - Rob S / Jason / Andy
2019
Jan – Andy / Harry / Dave P
Feb - Chris / Jason / Rob V
Mar - Eddie / Frank / Rob S
Apr - Harry / Chris / Jeff
May - Rob S / Tom / Colin
Jun - Rob S / Jason / Chris
Jul - Tom / Jason / Jeff
Aug- Rob S / Harry / Andy
Sep - Dave J / PDC / Chris
Oct - Ken E / Daniel / PDC
Nov - Richard W / Ken E / Rob S
Dec - Dave J / Chris / PDC
2020
Jan – Rob S / Jason / Darren
Feb - Rene / Andy / Eddie
May - Colin / Eddie / Frank
Jun - Andy / Jason / Rod
July - Jeff / Seb / Rod
Aug - Rob V / Jason / Seb
Sep - Chris / Dave J / Glenn
Oct - Andy / Eddie / Frank
Nov - Tony / Eddie / Frank
Dec - Seb / Paul K / Jason
2021
Jan – Ken E / Glenn / Rene
Feb - Dave J / Harry / Paul K
Mar - Jason / Dave J / Eddie
Apr - Seb / Adam / Rod
May - Tom / Rob H / Seb
Jun - Chris / Jeff / Seb
Oct - Rob S / Rob H / Paul K
Dec 2 - Tony / Ken E / Richard W
Dec 21 - Richard F / Seb / Eddie
2022
Jan – Paul K / Rob S / Chris
Aug - Seb / RobS / Jason
Oct 4 - Dave J / Jason / Tom
Oct 27 - Chris / Jason / Dave J
Nov - Rob S / Chris / Jason
Dec - Jason / Dave J / Eddie
2023
Feb 2 (delayed Australia Day) - Chris / Jason / Harry
Feb - Harry / Jason / Rod
Mar - Jason / Seb / Rob H
Apr - Jason / Jeff / Chris
May - Rob S / Paul K / Tony
Jun - Rob H / Jeff / Dave J
Jul - Tom / Jeff / Dave J
Aug - Rob S / Paul K / Rob H
Sep - Seb / Rob S / Paul K
Oct - Chris / Dave J / Eddie
Nov - Dave J / Chris / Paul K
Dec - Paul K / Tom / Rob S
2024
Feb 8 (delayed Australia Day) - Rob S / Seb / Rob H
Feb - Rob S / Tony / Glenn
Apr - Rob H / Tony / Jason
May - Frank / Glenn / Jeff
Jul - Tony / Rob S / Glenn
Aug - Jason / Seb / Frank