January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Thomson dominates
Thomson dominates
Organizers continue to find new courses on long established venues. So returning to the Hog for the second time this season, a new figure eight loop was unveiled. This is a brutal course and due to two steep climbs and descents very hard to gain some recovery time.
The new layout lengthened the course and added some thrills while giving the riders more of a chance to gain their breath.
A dry morning saw some new riders line up though numbers were a little down on normal in the adult classes.
In men's A reigning National champ Garth Thomson making only his second appearance of the season. He got to the front once the flag dropped, and went into the first down hill in the lead closely followed by this year's championship leader Neil de ste Croix.
Just behind were Grant Goudge and Mark Hatherley, with Paul Jacks chasing at the rear.
The front four stayed close through the first lap before Thomson and de ste Croix pulled a gap and then Thomson pulled again to establish a good cushion and never relinquish the lead.
In the B's Norbert Meyer was out to continue his winning streak on his local track.
He had not, however, counted on the newcomer Freddie Phillips.
Freddie and friend Dion Graham came straight off of a seven hour stint on the bikes the day before.
The two are in preparation for the Cape Epic an eight day Mountain Bike race in South Africa renowned for its toughness. Phillips showed no ill effects and stayed in contact with Meyer before moving into the lead and taking the win.
Youngster Alex Godfrey took a very creditable third while Rickai Lightbourne gets a mention after breaking his chain during warm up to still grab a fifth place.
Women
Female A was taken by expert Kim Naude but Sarah Bonnet shows fantastic improvement in both fitness and handling skills. Sarah Jordan took the flag in the B class.
Female 13-16 saw the return to action of Gabriella Arnold and she rode well to hold off point's leader Elizabeth Jordan. Courtney Day took the under twelve race for team Zip-X.
Normal service resumed in boys twelve and under but with Daniel Hetzel missing the Oatley brothers took the top two spots Joshua Stephenson taking third.
Racing continues next week 8:30am at Ferry Reach.
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