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NSW Masters Champs. Orange 22 – 24 April

Perfect weather greeted 11 Waratahs (Harry ROURKE, Alexander WATT, Philip HARREX, Bob CLARKE, Bob WILLIS, Daniel BERNARD, Chris FOWLER, Brian NIELSEN, Geraldine BLOMFIELD-BROWN, David LEDGER and Chris MERCURIO) competing across 3 events in a range of age groups.

In the premier road race events on a challenging 25km circuit at Molong (30mins drive from Orange) the results were patchy.

Geraldine BLOMFIELD-BROWN once again showed the way with 3rd in her WMAS1-4 division. Gerri was also 8th overall (22 starters). David LEDGER was outsprinted for a podium and finished 6th out of 36 starters in the very competitive MMAS5 division. Chris FOWLER (MMAS7) couldn’t match the 3 man breakaway on the penultimate lap and finished up in 5th place. Brian NIELSEN (MMAS4) had bad luck with a puncture in the neutral zone and Daniel BERNARD (MMMAS1-2) found the pace too hot. Harry ROURKE (MMAS8) finished 9th.

In the criteriums held on the fast flowing industrial estate circuit Harry ROURKE, now nicely warmed up from the road race, showed his speciality with 2nd place in a hotly contested sprint. Alexander WATT (MMAS8) finished 11th. Geraldine BLOMFIELD-BROWN was first WMAS4 for a gold medal and 3rd overall! Others included Bob CLARKE (MMAS9) 6th and Bob WILLIS (MMAS10) 1st. Dave LEDGER held on for a top ten finish, placing 8th.

In the race of truth, Dave LEDGER was the fastest Waratah on the lumpy 20km time trial course with 33:29 and 6th place. Chris FOWLER posted 34:15 missing the podium by 3 seconds! Geraldine BLOMFIELD-BROWN again showed her class with 36:06 and a bronze to go with her gold from the crit. Chris MERCURIO (MMAS3) tried hard for 36:18 and 18th place (Peter Milostic was flying with 29:04)! Harry ROURKE posted 39:49 for 8th, Bob CLARKE 43:13 for 5th and Bob WILLIS again 1st in the MMAS10.

Congratulations to all competitors!