CYCLING –
Central Coast Cycling Club’s Brendan Buhagiar has taken out first place in the Grade B division of the Australia Day Graded Scratch Road Race on Tuesday, January 26.
The event was hosted by Newcastle Cycling Club at the Hunter Economic Zone 12km racing circuit.
It featured cyclists from a number of different clubs from around New South Wales, competing in five different grades from A to E, over distances ranging from 70km to 40km based on grade.
Five other Central Coast cyclist also placed within the top four from Grades B – E.
Central Coast Cycling Club captain, Andy Hellmich finished fourth in the B Grade, Pete Davis finished fourth in Grade D, and Yoni Hodgetts, Matthew Hingerty and Russel Garstang finished second, third and fourth in the E Grade.
Dan Calloway raced in the A Grade but missed out on finishing in a top four spot.
This was Dan’s introduction to A Grade racing in the Graded Scratch after a number of previous wins in the B Grade, and he was racing against cyclist who compete on a national level.
Hellmich said that it was in the B Grade that Central Coast had the most competitors, where the club members worked together to get as many high placements as possible.
“Although cycling is an individual sport, we are always working together as a team,” said Andy.
“We always make sure that, if there is an attack, we have someone there at its sharp end making it difficult for the other club’s cyclists.
“In the B Grade, there was no successful breakaways after lots of attempts until it all came together in the last lap.
“Our club members Jessica Mitchell and Adam Kimberley made sure that no one else from the other clubs got away while I was able to lead out Brendan Buhagiar for the win.
“It’s always good being part of a team and giving your team member a hand in winning.”
Many of the riders will now back up in this Sunday’s race at West Head, hosted by Manly Warringah Cycling Club.
Haakon Barry