REPORT

This years Bike Bug 500 was a fabulous success with some 140 riders participating in the days events.   Thirty seven top riders including some 20 International Pro & semi Pro riders contested the feature race of the afternoon,  the Bike Bug 500.

In what is sure to be the highest calibre team of riders ever to race at Heffron Park, Dual Olympic Gold Medalist, Graeme Browne of Rabbobank took victory  from Trent Wilson of the Jittery Joes team.  Brown demonstrated not only his strength but also his masterful tactical skills as he launched off the front of the main bunch and bridged across to the winning break.

Continental Pro teams, FRF/NSWIS and Ord Minnette/QLDIS both had almost their entire team racing.  Other teams included Rabbobank, Jittery Joes & Drapac Porsche. 

The pace was brutal early in the event with lap times consistently around the 2 mins 45 sec.  The one lap record at Heffron Park is 2 mins 43 sec so this gives an indication of the speed of the pro riders.  It wasn't long before a break of 9 went clear. 

A smaller group of 3 riders chased them and the vast majority of the rest of the bunch were relegated to spectators.

The sprint prime was taken out by Rob Lyte of the FRF/NSWIS team. 

Final placings were Graeme Brown Rabbobank first, Trent Wilson Jittery Joes second, Luke Cridland FRF/NSWIS third, Rob Light FRF/NSWIS fourth and Cameron Hughes Ord Minnette/QLDIS fifth.

Browney not only took out the $500 first place but was pretty happy to pick up a Christmas pudding as well.

Bike Bug 500 race winner, Graeme Brown took time out to sign RBCC Junior member, Rebecca Fortuna's racing jersey.	The Bike Bug 500 place getters salute the crowd.
The kids were pretty surprised when Santa showed up after racing.	Santa took time to pose with the kids.

CLUB SPONSORS (see logos top right)

Randwick Botany Cycling Club is proudly sponsored by FRF Couriers. FRF Sports is the distributor of products including BH bicycles, Argon 18 bicycles,  Cinelli bicycle accessories, Colnago bicycles & accessories, 3T cycling assessories, Vittoria shoes and Speedplay pedals.  Bike Bug carries all our major sponsors bikes and products such as Colnago, Cinelli and Argon 18.  Bike Bug is offering all Randwick Botany members a 15% discount off parts and accessories.  Go to cyclebits.com for all your cycling consumable needs like tyres, tubes, bar tape, etc, etc.  Order online from an Australian company, and have your cyclebits arrive at your door a day or two later Long term RBCC sponosr DS Labels – Marrackville. Sponsors of our club jersey include Carroll & O'Dea Lawyers,  Tenpoint, Vantage Freight, Sydney Morning Herald.

THANKS

Thanks to Commissaires, John Buckton, Joanne Buckton, Chris White and Richard Jenkins without whom the event would not have been possible.  Thanks to St John Ambulance personnel who provided First Aid support on the day.  Thanks to all those Randwick Botany members, too numerous to mention who assisted with setting up and packing away.  Thanks to Santa for giving of his time to make a guest appearance.  Thanks to all those who performed Marshalling duties.  Thanks to Maria Jenkins and Allison Cater who assisted in the registration tent.  Thanks to Rocky Fortuna who took the pictures.  Thanks to Anna Fortuna and Kate Buckton who ran the canteen.  Thanks to Daniel Costa who manned the video finishing camera.

START TIMES

As we now within daylight saving, racing times are now:

Juniors start at 3pm. Seniors D, E, & F grades will start at 4pm and A, B & C grades will start at 5pm.

RACING SHEDULE

Scratch races for A, B, C D & E grades. An F grade will be conducted if sufficient numbers in attendance.

For more information please contact the club secretary Joanne Buckton on 02 9315 7801 or email: secretary@randwickbotanycc.com

Web page layout & editing by: John Buckton

Photos by: Rocky Fortuna

Report by John Buckton

Contact:
John:   webmaster@randwickbotanycc.com