A team of 6 riders patrolled at the Amy Gran Fondo this year on a 120km loop course that ran in the opposite direction to last year. This time it started with a climb that better split the riders.
The weather was not as kind as previous years with a little rain that made the descent a little treacherous at the top. The sun shone for the finish at was has to be the most spectacular ocean ride in the world. There was a good mix of rider levels in the team with Paul Hutton riding in recreational class, Ben and Xavier doing their first event in age group and Michael and Nick qualifying from a category field of 358 for a hopeful trip to Albi next year for the World champs.
The stand out result was from William Turnes who travelled all the way from France to take the 6th spot in the team. William , thanks for setting an example to the rest of the EcoCyclo Eurpoean team members and we look forward to others following in his footsteps next year.
After disappointment with a broken wheel at last weeks world champs in Perth William got a fantastic 2nd place after losing out in a sprint finish to a guy that he described as having 'huge' legs. William is a climber more than a sprinter so the flat finish was an advantage to his competitor. A great result in a category field of 296 riders.
William Turnes 2nd , 3.04.27 (40-44)
Michel Kapr 37th , 3.21.46 (45-49)
Nick Gatland 66th , 3.25.54 (45-49)
Benjamin Hirons , 3:42 (19-34)
Xavier Hatch 110th 3.51 (19-34)
Paul Hutton 25th , 3.51 (Rec)
Hope to see some of the team either in Albi or at the Amy next year.
To add to Nick’s report below I think that this year was the worst year I have seen in terms of litter being dropped by riders (and I have ridden all six events to date). It could be because I was a bit further back than usual so it appeared worse (I rode Recreational this year) but the number of gel wrappers in particular was terrible. What can we do?..
Paul Hutton
Orbital Consulting Pty Ltd
