Eurobodalla cyclists are in serious preparation for the New South Wales Masters Championships, which will be held in and around Moruya on May 15 and 16.
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Gail Johnston, the sole local gold medal winner in 2009, is leading the female charge.
Johnston has inspired a bevy of other women to give it a go this year. Gayle McCann, Lyndel Lotze, Kelly Martin, Robyn Ellwood, Vanessa Goodspeed, Ruth Bolton, Kirsti McVeigh, Syd Trevallion and Theresa Pott are all increasing their training intensity, with the sole aim of waving the Nature Coast flag come May.
They face two tough laps of the Kia Ora course in their road race. The hills of Araluen Road punish even the fit, but condemn anything less. Cattle look so slowly at the speeding cyclists, but usually are content to chew the cud. For the riders, fast downhill swoops link hill after hill, which deny the riders any chance to admire the scenery. The fit can showcase their attacking skills, and blunt the speed of the sprinters.
The punishing finale involves a stiff climb from the river crossing.
The women face a different challenge the next day in the criterium championship at North Moruya Industrial Estate. The much admired 800-metre circuit demands courage to tackle the fast and furious turn, plus pure speed to win.
Johnston proved equal to the challenge in 2009. She rode a patient race before turning on the power to overcome the opposition. Syd Trevallion and Gayle McCann were then novices at criterium racing, but will be sure to have benefited from the experience this year.
