For this year’s edition of Grafton To Inverell Cycling Classic, DDCC was represented by three club members: Jason Sprang, Michael Illing and Daniel Luke.
Results
Daniel Luke (Division 1 – NRS): 22nd
Jason Sprang (Division 2): 31st
Michael Illing (Division 2): Unfortunately DNF – But gave it a good crack.
Daniel Luke’s Race Debrief
A day that saw the 60th Grafton to Inverell had surprisingly perfect conditions, sunny and a slight headwind all day. Dan played low and made it over the climb with the front group and being the only one from his team, he saved energy and followed moves all day. The almost day-long break succeeded with the main peloton losing riders with every climb in the final 50kms. Dan suffered from cramps in the final sprint, therefore, finishing a hard-earned 22nd.
Image Courtesy: Bear Liange (Veloshotz)
Jason Sprang’s & Michael Illing’s Race Debrief
(Courtesy Of Ed Sprang)
Div 2 had 74 starters. Michael and Jason were in the lead group all the way up the Gibraltar climb and were matching any surges until 100m to go when they just lost contact with the lead group. They worked at their maximum to try and catch the lead bunch but were unable to bridge the gap.
They were 5 minutes behind at the first feed zone 110km in. Michael had burnt a few matches by this stage and was feeling the pain. The route into Glen Innes had changed from previous years and now takes a more hilly approach to Glen Innes. It was on one of these hills where Michael’s legs had had enough.
Jason did wait for him to tow Michael back on but was told to go get them. It was the second feed zone at Glen Innes 160km in where Jason was on a solo TT to bridge the gap to a group of 8 riders. Michael pulled out at this point. Jason managed to bridge the gap and in doing so worked on the front more often than not to increase the bunch to 15 riders all to cross the line together. Not long after the finish talks were had for the next G2I race
Image Courtesy: Jason Lindsay (Natural Focus Photography)