ORGANISERS are tipping an upset victory at this year’s Keegan Downes Sundowner Memorial Handicap.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With rain forecast for Saturday’s 103km cycle race from Coonabarabran to Gunnedah, organisers said the slower race speed opened the door for a unexpected finish.
“Don’t be surprised if the front group is very strong,” Gunnedah Cycling and Triathlon Club committee member, Steve Murray said.
”My prediction is the back won’t catch the front. I don’t think they have enough horsepower.”
Riders are handicapped with the fastest starting at the rear.
Also boosting hopes of slower riders is the omission of 2015 handicap winner, Sam Spokes, who is competing in Europe.
But even with the best of circumstances, he conceded the Sundowner was “a tough race to win”.
“At the end of the day, you have to be a sprinter,” Murray said.
About 90 riders will compete in this year’s $7000 event including more than a dozen Gunnedah entries.
Among them is Gunnedah’s strongest chance, Nathan Browne, who recently competed at the Grafton-Inverell Classic.
Evergreen Ross Durham is among the the best of local veteran entries this year.
Others expected to line up include former Gunnedah cyclist, now Murwillumbah veteran, John Nicholls; brothers Dan and Paul Wilkes from Inverell and Mudgee and former A grade Tamworth rider and 1982 Sundowner winner, Brian Bagster.
More local riders to keep a look out for on Saturday are Cath Murray, Scott Dunlop, Garry Turner, Tim Duffy, Tim Sheridan, Kelly Watson, Pete Loveridge, Kurt Langmead, Stewart Michel and Bernie Martin among others.
The Gunnedah riders progressed steadily in their Sundowner training and a number took to the highway for a “practice run” recently.
The Keegan Downes Memorial trophy was established in memory of the former Gunnedah cyclist killed in a car crash in 1991.
This year’s race circuit will follow the same route as last year and will finish at the TAFE around lunchtime.
Don’t be surprised if the front group is very strong.
- GCTC committee member Steve Murray
Cycling competition continues Sunday with the annual Gunnedah to Tamworth graded race, hosted by the Tamworth Cycling Club.