Total Rush

First up :- Craig Johnson

After a remarkably average week of riding this last week it was almost pleasant to front up to the Southern Masters Anniversary Handicap at Cora-Lynn today! Strong team representation from Charter Mason, Hampton Cycles and Total Rush scattered throughout scratch and chopping block meant there was plenty of horsepower available to chase down the elusive limit riders. The handicapper was feeling generous today as limit had a 36min headstart over a 70km flat course with no wind.

In reality, the handicapping turned out better than expected and eventually proved to be spot on as the scratch bunch only picked up the leaders inside the final 2 km!

It was a big bunch that contested the final sprint and Toz and I had worked hard to ensure that Deano had a smooth ride up to the final corner. Unfortunately there are always a small proportion of riders who’s enthusiasm outweighs their ability so it was only after Deano had managed to navigate these obstacles that he could light the afterburners and make his final dash for the line. Leigh Schilling (Hampton Cycles) also had the same idea but had a better run on the day and was first across the line with Deano 2nd followed by the extremely versatile Danny Kah (Charter Mason).

 Envelopes all around today!

Next was the TT crew, words by :- Chris McKay 

TR was well represented yesterday for the 20km TT at Kew Blvd with Bridie representing the women, Skinny and DK in A grade and myself in C grade.

With the conditions roughly the same as last time we raced at Kew back on the 19^th May everyone was keen to see if they could improve on their times.

Women:

Bridie was sporting the new skin suit which was impossible to miss and with an audacious plan was rocking a brand new SHIV complete with Sitero saddle for a first up ride. Bridie’s comment of ‘Holy SHIV this is the fastest TT bike I have ever ridden’ was spot on and the plan delivered with Bridie shaving 5 minutes off her prior time (which was done on a  road bike) and taking out the women’s by over 2 minutes with a time of 35:02. Cracking effort. Well done Bridie.

Mens:

TR added another weapon to the TT arsenal with Skinny breaking out his new rig on Saturday for its first proper hit out. After adjusting his seat by 7mm and taking god knows how many inches out of the front Skinny ‘dialled’ himself in and went from ‘Punter’ to ‘Pro’ and was ready for his first TT in several years.

Unfortunately for Skin he was hoping that being his first TT in some time he would be allowed to ‘ease’ himself into it. Blackburn thought otherwise and threw him into the deep end for an A grade start amongst DK, Shane Miller and Tom Leaper. Being the competitor he is Skinny didn't disappoint and clocked a very respectable 33:29 on what is a lumpy, technical course with the two difficult corners still being wet in patches.

This was to be my second hit out at Kew and my ultimate goal was to improve on my prior time of 36:34. As a secondary goal, to make it onto the podium I needed to go sub 35 but after a very fast hit out on Saturday with DK and Skinny down beach rd on the TT rigs I was a bit concerned I had run my race 24 hours to early. In hindsight it was probably the hit out I needed and with some consistent training over the last month and a proper warm-up on the day I managed to shave 1:40 off my prior time and clocked 34:53 to take out C grade by 11 seconds.

DK finally cracked the sub 30 minute mark on his prior hit out at Kew and clocked 29:58 to take third behind Oscar Stevenson (29:31) and Shane Miller who clocked 29:19 and holds the course record at 29:07. Dave was the third last to start behind Oscar and Shane. Miller is the benchmark for TT’s given it is primary focus and in the club and state scene he rarely gets challenged. Dave has been nipping at his heels for the last few years and slowly but surely closing the gap.

Coming into the start of his second lap it was apparent that Dave was having a very good day in the saddle and Miller was slipping a little behind. Dave hit the line at 29:12 to win A grade and pip Miller by 20 seconds! This is a massive achievement for DK and would certainly be right up there with his podium at the Sun Tour TT back in January. .

Across the board  a solid day for Rush with 3 wins in the TT's.

Until next time –

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