PRESS RELEASE:

Mt Panorama Grand Prix – NSW Elite & U23 Men Road Race Championships Bathurst 24^th October 2004

Clarence Street Cyclery TREK rider Klayten Smith has won the 2004 NSW Elite Mens State Championship on the weekend on the famous Mt Panorama race circuit in Bathurst.

Smith was part of a 3-man group that sprinted for the medals, taking the gold medal from Grafton to Inverell Winner Peter McDonald (Randwick Botany), and German based North Sydney cyclist Robert Hodgson.

The famous Motor Racing course provided a real challenge, with riders spread all around the very demanding circuit at the finish. As in the past the Mountain will quickly identify any weakness, and will always crown a worthy winner. There is no short cuts around Mt Panorama, and the circuit will also make those pay that don’t respected the task the course provides.

The field did start solidly and as expected a number of contenders where in trouble in the first 5kms of the 130km event. The TREK team riders where widely tipped as the group that would take control of the Championships so it came as no surprise to see Glenn Stojanow break away in the middle stages with state Criterium champ Jose Rodriguez (Eastern Suburbs).

However when Peter McDonald started pushing the pace up the esses in search of the leaders with Trek riders Mills and Smith in toe, it become clear that the final stages would be a real street fight and race of attrition. This would suit the in-form riders, including tough guy Richard Vollebregt (Southern Highlands) and the seasoned European riders such as VMC Konstanz Europcar Robert Hodgson and Cyclenews.com rider Robbie Williams.

Up the Mountain for the last time Peter McDonald looked the strongest but Hodgson and Smith held on to the climber. Vollebregt chasing hard, with a gap to St George’s David Treacy riding a great race in 5^th with Williams, who was the leading the Under 23’s.

At the finish Klayten Smith showed his class, taking control of the sprint to record a clear win, McDonald very well deserved silver medal and Robert Hodgson happy to take the state’s number 3 ranking. Veteran Richard Vollebregt impressed with his 4^th placing with cyclenews.com young gun Robbie Williams (Nowra) taking 5^th overall and the NSW under 23 championship, the former NSWIS Triathlete firmly establishing himself as a cyclist to watch in the future. David Treacy was strong all day in 6^th, while the early effort told on good performers Glenn Stojanow and Jose Rodriguez fading to 7^th and 8^th. Text Box:

Young cyclists Joshua Marden, Luis Trueba and Hamish Elliot rode well, Marden taking the Silver medal in the Under 23’s while local Bathurst Mountain bike rider making the dream start to his Road Racing Career taking the Bronze in the NSW U23 Road Championship. Manly Warringah’s Brad McCreadie rounding out the top 12.

What they Said

Klayten Smith (1^st) – Thanks to Bathurst Council, and Congratulations to NSW Federation for taking the risk on such a high profile circuit. For those that seen the race it was clear that our Clarence St Cyclery TREK Team was great today.

Peter McDonald (2^nd) – I liked the race, the surface on the racecourse is beautiful, disappointing that there was a clash with the Sun Tour.

Robert Hodgson (3^rd) – Terrific to race on the circuit, Dad was in car racing I came here as a kid to the Hill Climbs. I knew what to expect and used the same gear set up as in Germany.

Robbie Williams (1^st U23s) – The Course was a real Challenge, it was a race of attrition and just who could survive in the end. The History of the race and Tradition of this place makes it a great race. I am looking forward to a couple of weeks off. Its been a great year with Cyclenews.com overseas.

Hamish Elliot (3^rd U23s) – I only got my Cannondale Road bike a bit over a month ago, It’s an awesome thing for a Bathurst person to race on Mount Panorama.

RESULTS

Mt Panorama Grand Prix – NSW Elite & U23 Men Road Race Championships - Bathurst 24^th October 2004

1^st Klayten Smith (Clarence St Cyclery – TREK)

2^nd Peter McDonald (Randwick Botany – Cheeky Monkey)

3^rd Robert Hodgson (North Sydney - VMC Konstanz)

4^th Richard Vollebregt (Southern Highlands)

5^th Robbie Williams (Nowra – Cyclingnews.com)

6^th David Treacy (St George – Bates Bikes)

7^th Glenn Stojanow (Clarence St Cyclery – TREK)

8^th Jose Rodriguez (Eastern Suburbs)

9^th Joshua Marden (Randwick Botany)

10^th Luis Trueba (Lidcombe Auburn)

11^th Hamish Elliot (Bathurst - Cannondale)

12^th Brad McCreadie (Manly Warringah)