The weather turned out “Hot, damn hot, were you born on the sun??” for the Final XC race of the year and 70 keen souls turned out to smile, sweat, swear and above all have fun at the Awaba track. The Juniors started off the programme on their own tuned track and their numbers and enthusiasm will see a separate juniors race a permanent addition to the calendar next year. It was great to see so many spectators cheering them on as the came past each lap.
For the Seniors, Dean set a less hilly course than in the Club Champs and while it was just on a 5-kilometre loop, there was plenty of pedaling to ensure legs and lungs got a good workout and enough down flow to keep up the grins. The race for positions, even if it wasn’t a podium, was super tight with just seconds separating riders in places as they crossed the finish line at full pelt.
A belated, cumulative point score for the XC season races will be completed over the Christmas/New Year break and champions will be acknowledged at the first race next year at which stage the HMBA Awaba Cup point score for 2025 will commence.
A big thank-you must be given to Dean, Steve, Dallas, Mark and Evan for setting the entertaining XC courses throughout the year. Also to Alex and Dane for preparing and running registration and timing for the events. Also the numerous members who have helped on maintenance days, marshalling and putting up and taking down bunting. Thanks also to Club President Josh for all the organisation, commitment and guidance he has provided throughout the year.
Finally, thanks to all Competitors and Spectators who have come along and supported the XC competitions this year. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and hope to see you in 2025.
The link to the December Race results is below.
HMBA 2024 XC Final Round, 15/12/2024 : : my.race|result
(The next club round will be on 19th January 2025, where we will also recognise our 2024 Club Champions and Pointscore winners).
