Near-perfect conditions for Albany Cycle Club’s rescheduled Scottsdale Slam event

There were near-perfect conditions for the Scottsdale Slam on Saturday, compared with the sideways hail and cascades of bark and sticks scything about in a ferocious tempest which had caused the cancellation of the same event the week prior.

With a north-westerly wind providing a headwind on the 14km climb up Scotsdale Road followed by the sweeping descents of Happy Valley and Silverstream, Albany Cycle Club riders got to experience all facets of cycling.

On the return from Woylie, despite the tailwind, those enjoyable descents became extended and far less enjoyable climbs before reaching the Alpaca Farm and the long downhill back to the finish near Rockcliffe Winery.

Lucy Wellstead and Liz Cooper were the go group, working well together throughout the 44km course.

Following them was the biggest group of five riders, including the Denmark locals Mike Garland, Kea Mumford and Andrew LeFort, with Albany riders Paul McMurtrie and Paul Gibson there to ensure that the Denmark crew did not have it all their own way.

At a further minute back Ben Murphy and Simon Barrett set off in pursuit. A minute behind them Mike Staude and Jim Watmore formed another group of chasers, with Brett Dal Pozzo and Beau LeFort the last to leave needing to average 38km/h to close down the 27-minute gap to the front of the race.

After an hour and a half of racing it came down to a sprint finish with Ben Murphy showing that the big diesel had a turbo attached, kicking clear of the wily Mumford who finished second ahead of Simon Barrett.

Denmark riders Andrew LeFort and Garland came in fourth and fifth followed closely by Cooper and Wellstead and Lacey.

The sprint for fastest time honours between Dal Pozzo and Beau Lefort was vigorous with Dal Pozzo having enough horsepower to claim eighth and the fastest time of the day (1:08.57) by a bike length.

Thanks to the volunteers who set out the signs, marshalled the race and organised the handicapping.

The club’s final race of the season is at Elleker on Saturday, August 13 at 2pm.