July Handicap podium with Rob S missing.
The month of wrongs to be righted
Here is how the start for the final stage of the Tour Of July, the Handicap Training Exercise looked:
0:00 Glenn, Greg, Allan, Rodd, Paul K and Richard W - Limit (Div 2 riders)
1:40 Seb, Rob S, Rob H, Eddie, Tony, Tom, Col and Dave P - Block (rest of Div 1)
2:20 Chris, Jason, Frank, Jeff and Dave J - Scratch (Top 5 on TOJ points)
The Scratch riders selected themselves by sitting in the top 5 of the Tour of July points. There was major discussion about Rob H missing scratch after being unable to attend 2 of the stages, but those are the rules.
Limit was jam packed with top class riders in peak form. Many suggested the winner would come from Limit.
Block was the biggest group with some super powerful athletes who just missed the scratch selection criteria. Seven riders, each with a massive chance of taking the win.
The riders enjoyed a break from near freezing temperatures with a relatively mild winter morning taking one excuse out of play. Limit and Block made fast starts, clearly signalling they were up for a decent crack today and not just a relaxing cruiser.
A few riders were dropped from their group, however this didn't stop the pace as victory closed in. Col was kind enough to man the finish line after he completed his ride, providing encouragement and video footage of the final laps. With 1 to go Limit were still clear and had every chance of another big win. Scratch were also closing in on Block, however time and distance were fast running out.
Limit held on up the final hill with Glenn out in front and close to victory. Tony and Rob S found some extra speed and pipped Glenn on the line to take 1st and 2nd ahead of Glenn.
Frank was the first scratch rider home in 10th place with the fastest time, finishing about 12 seconds after Tony.
Div1 was dominated by Jason with Frank 2nd and Jeff 3rd.
Div2 saw Allan first with a near perfect score with Glenn 2nd and Greg 3rd.
We all enjoyed a beverage as we discussed our plans for improvement. Some riders were heard saying there were wrongs that need to be righted. Others noted they were inspired. We look forward to seeing what happens in the Tour Of October. Stay tuned.
Well done to all riders for putting in huge efforts to push through in the cold.
Here are the podium places for all our Grand Tours.
Jul 2024 Div 1 - Jason, Frank, Jeff Div 2 - Allan, Glenn, Greg
Feb 2024 Div 1 - Chris, Eddie, Jason Div 2 - Greg, Allan, Glenn
Dec 2023 Div 1 - Paul K, Seb, Dave J Div 2 - Glenn, Bob E, Allan
Jul 2023 Div 1 - Jeff, Dave J, Frank Div 2 - Glenn, Greg, Ken
Feb 2023 Div 1 - Rob H, Seb, Adrian Div 2 - Rod, Eddie, Frank
Dec 2021 - 1. Jason, 2. Dave J, 3, Chris
Feb 2021 - =1. Chris and =1. Dave J, 3. Paul K
Oct 2020 - 1. Jason, 2. Dave J, 3. Rob V
Jul 2020 - 1. Harry, 2, Chris, 3, Rod B
Feb 2020 - Dave J, 2. Chris, 3. Rob V
Nov 2019 - 1. Chris, 2. Paul K, 3. Rob H
Jul 2019 - 1. Dave J, 2. Chris, =3. Colin and =3. Tom
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