Malcolm “Chum” Nash kept waiting to be caught at the John Dewhurst Memorial Handicap Road Race – perhaps by a group that included his son, Daniel, which happened at last year’s race when Daniel won.
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But with Nash, 55, being aided by teenager Conor Noonan – after they started the race first with an eight-minute margin over the next group for Saturday’s 66-kilometre race, which started and finished at Loomberah Hall – that never happened. And the Tamworth Cycle Club members finished first and second.
It was Nash’s second win in the annual race, named in honour of John Dewhurst, a TCC founding member.
“I started with a young fella [Noonan] who was willing to just ride with me, to work together and keep the pace going,” Nash said.
“On your own you haven’t got much chance. But if you’ve got someone helping you swapping turns [leading] it makes so much difference. You get a rest – you can keep going strong.”
TCC club captain Joe Kelly said the event had a “good roll out from supporting clubs, to make the day a success”.
“It was a lovely winters day with a gentle westerly breeze to keep us all honest,” he said.
Nash and Noonan had a 30-minute start on the scratch riders.
Kelly said: “At the turnaround near the Sydney road, Nash and Noonan’s lead had been cut to seven minutes. But by the turn at the Dungowan pub they had managed, with good team work, to extend the lead to seven minutes and 35 seconds.
“Just after the turn at the pub, what remained of the second and third groups combined to attempt to chase Chum and his apprentice [Noonan] down. The scratch and block groups were also hard on the chase.”
Kelly said Nash and Noonan rode a “very smart race”. He added: “It has been said many times before that Chum is the gentleman of the club, so it is only fitting that he and the very polite and well-respected Conor Noonan should take the honours.”
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Phil Thomas of Armidale Cycling Club and Lucas Lucas McIlrick of TCC came third and fourth, while Sim Church (TCC) was the fastest female and Michael Hoult (ACC) clocked the fastest time.
