. Aus Road Cycling Championships

Sunshine Coast, Australia, September 3-12, 2004

Congratulations to Luke Davison and Tom Paton who took the Silver medal in the Men's U15 Pairs Time Trial over 10 kilometres at the National titles in the Sunshine Coast September 3 to 12, 2004.

Click Here for results (courtesy of CyclingNews.com)

Left - The boys blast off for the 10km pairs time trial.

On the first day of competition we were greeted with exceptional weather (well it was warmer and sunnier than Sydney) with the boys performing extremely well in a strong field. Luke ended in 10^th place with Tom not far behind in 13^th. Places 5 to 15 were covered by a few seconds.

On Saturday the second day of competition saw another magnificent day in the Glass House Mountains town of Maleny, apart from a championship race lacking in distance (only 20km) and an extremely narrow road (4m which they were only allowed to use half of) the boys once again performed extremely well in a strong fast race. All was left to the final 300m with a blanket sprint. AT this stage Tom was encouraged to hone his gardening skills with a visit to the greenery at the side of the road, admirably assisted by some of the fancied riders, despite this he managed 9^th place while Luke missed the win by half a wheel and ended up with 5^th place. A scary finish that would create panic with any RBCC B grade crit.

Going, Going

Gone !!

The 3^rd day was even hotter as was the competition. Luke and Tom drew the same heat and both made it through to the final. In the final the pace was extreme with Tom having a near miss halfway through when a Tasmanian rider tried to bite his tyre, managing to shred 4 of his back spokes and forcing Tom off the circuit nearly having a close encounter with a large post. Luckily all of this was right in front of where we were standing with the spares so after the allowed one lap out, Tom rejoined to give the leaders grief and upping the pace. As usual in this level of racing it came down to a bunch sprint with a bike length separating the top 15. Luke came in 8^th and Tom 12^th.

NOW THE HIGHLIGHT, the pair's time trial over 10kms. The boys rode their hearts out and finished in a clear second place with a vow of revenge for next year.

All in all 4 days of intense competition, excellent results and good company will see us return next year for bigger and better things.

Thanks to David Paton for providing the photographic input including the tyre biting Tasmanian in full action just as he is about the clench his teeth on Tom's wheel.

- Peter Davison.

Australian Road Cycling Championships

Sunshine Coast, Australia, September 3-12, 2004