After finally getting through the Christmas panic period and getting the results from a big weekend of racing, I've finally compiled a (very delayed) race report.

  The Townsville Cycle Club was well represented with a whole swag of riders making the pilgrimage south, all keen to get their share of the $18000 prize money. Hayley Grant, Jake Tucker and Tom Cundy were already there after just finishing off a successful State Championships. They all set some impressive personal best times and netted a few medals along the way. They were joined by a swag of juniors with Amy Cundy, Josh and Larrisa Malpas, Alex Lefevre, Jacob Restall and Mat and Aaron Ross. Old man (Byron) Tucker was the only senior flying the flag for Townsville and he didn’t disappoint with an impressive riding style and brilliant tactics netting him a few placings along with some handy pocket money.

  The carnival started off perfectly for Townsville's newest little pocket rocket, Alex Lefevre. He comfortably won the opening  event and set him self up for a fierce battle between Rockhampton's Clayton Plane. Lefevre picked up several podium places which gained him quite a bit of pocket money, none of which helped put fuel in the tank for the trip home.

  One of the highlights (for Townsville) of the first nights racing was the McMasters Refrigeration 1600m wheel race. After cruising through the heats and coming in a comfortable 3rd, Jake Tucker lined up with the full Townsville field, his old man Byron and fellow Townsvillians, Tom Cundy and Aaron Ross. Right from the gun the groups started to form. The back markers had one hell of a gap to close, while the front markers quickly got together and were soon joined by the majority of the field. Ipswich Cycle Clubs young gun, Tom Richards pulled a massive turn and dragged the group up and also managed to hold off the fast charging scratchies. It came down to the bell lap and riders were trying to go off the front, but not as quick as riders were going off the back. The group came into the final turn and young Tucker timed his sprint to perfection, taking the win over a very fast Mat Wood and Cameron Jennings. Ross, Cundy and old man Tucker were right in the thick of it taking out 5th,6th and 8th respectively all separated by hundredths of a second. Thanks goodness for electronic timing.

  It was a case of a dress rehearsal for the up coming State Titles for the U17 mens. Jacob Restall and Josh Malpas had to compete against some of the big hitters from down south excluding Rockhampton's rising star, Zac Dellar. He was taken out in a club event leading up the the carnival and consequently broke his collar bone. That didn't stop him from eyeing off the competition from the side lines, complete with a new metal plate and matching arm sling. Gold Coasts Jesse Kerrison  dominated the carnival as Dellar did in Townsville. Restall put up an awesome fight and narrowly missed the win on several occasions but still netted some handy minor places with the same form that netted him a medal at the Junior Nationals earlier in the year. Martin Bannister was another strong performer and threw down countless attacks to try and wear down his competition. He recently completed a week of training with Restall and they were both keen to test each other under race conditions.

  Several of Townsville's younger riders stepped up an age group this year, but that didn't distract them from mixing it with the older competition. Amy Cundy picked up a few placings while Larissa Malpas had a screamer in the combined 1200m wheel race. She used her handicap to perfection and looked set to easily take the win. The crowd we're screaming their heads off, trying to give Malpas that little bit extra to get her over the line. Even the commentator was begging that she wins this race. She fought so hard and held a good gap heading down the back straight. It was literally in the dying metres that Cairns rider, Rachel Roberts managed to pull her in and pass her, taking the win by a mere 0.1 of a second. Cundy held off the rest of the field coming in 3rd while Ross fought gallantly but couldn't overcome the massive handicap that he was given. Ross did get his revenge on every scratch race though, sitting in and cruising around with the bunch, only to launch a fierce attack and easily sprint away from the field to take the win.

  So it was another major success for all who made the trip. Lots more experience for the juniors and a few more stories to tell, plus the bit of prize money doesn't hurt either. Now it's back to the track for more training as the Summer of Cycling is being held in Brisbane on the 7th to the 10th of January, followed by the Junior State Titles the following weekend. Look forward to a report and pictures from these events, hopefully a little more punctual.