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SMOOTH GOING: Riders compete in the Race 12 - WCC Club Championship Criterium at the Whyalla Industrial Estate.
The City of Whyalla recently received another thumbs-up from a community group.
Buoyed by the success of its recent road race road race around the Whyalla Industrial Estate, the Whyalla Cycling Club (WCC) contacted Councillor David Knox to thank Council for the state of the roads. A good field assembled for the Race 12 – WCC Club Championship Criterium with the common feedback from local riders and visitors revolving around the clean and safe state of the roads.
WCC vice president Darryl Worby said the club had gone through the necessary approval process to conduct the annual weekend race on the industrial roads and contacted Council to have the roads swept.
“We put through a customer request to have the roads swept and Council were right on to it,” Darryl said.
“They sent out a street sweeper before the race and it made for a great event.
“The club is not only grateful for Council’s prompt response, we’re also thankful that it created some fast racing and no accidents because of the clear surface and excellent roads out there at the industrial estate.”
Cr Knox said it was another example of Council co-operating with groups and partnering with community and sporting organisations to create successful events.
“Our Council crews responded quickly to this request from the cycling club and presented these roads in great condition,” Cr Knox said.
“I know it gives the crews a lot of satisfaction to be able to help our groups like this and we, as a Council, are rapt it made for some great racing and another successful Whyalla event.”
Darryl said the industrial estate track, known as the “hotdog course” was ideal for the club and the community with the roads generally not busy over the weekend. The club puts out all the necessary safety barriers and warnings and has officials looking after traffic and the riders’ safety.
“The drivers that do come out there respect the fact we’ve got a race going on,” Darryl said.
“This area is ideal for the club and it is less disruptive for the community than racing around the city streets.”
For the record, the racing got underway with juniors leading off on the 1.6km circuit. There were strong performances came from Jack Wisbey in the under-15s and Cooper Jacobs in under-17s. In the under-19s Dylan Kaulins continued his excellent form, starting with the Seniors B Grade and riding away to comfortably win the U19’s.
In the Senior grades the winners were Wes Fisher in the B Grade proving true to form and showing his strength in the sprint to the line. In the C Grade there was a strong field of seven riders with Riki Popovic (with some help from Trevor Hughes) able to chase down a strong lead out from Danny Ronan. In the D Grade Emma Mardon was able to out-sprint the hard-working Peter Werner to cross the line first.
Results: B Grade 40mins + 3 laps – Wes Fisher; C Grade 30mins + 3 laps – Riki Popovic; D Grade 30mins +3 laps - Emma Mardon.
The club’s next race is on Saturday (August 25). It is a 50km Hcp leaving the club and travelling on the Iron Knob Road before returning via Fryers Cutting. Sign-on is at the club at 9.30am.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the Whyalla Cycling Club can ring Darryl on 0419 825 056 or go to the club’s website https://www.whyallacc.org.au/