Pedal Power And Photo Finishes

Mackay witnessed an exhilarating showcase of cycling prowess at the recent Mackay Cycling Club Track Open, held on 28th October. Cyclists from across the region put their skills to the test, battling strong winds to deliver an unforgettable day of competitive racing.

Local Mackay riders made their mark across all grades, emerging victorious in events spanning A-grade men to junior categories. The standout moment of the carnival was the gripping showdown in the Wright Family Shield senior handicap race. Wade Mitchell, a local rider, clinched victory by a hair's breadth, narrowly edging out fellow Mackay cyclist Kiah Dumigan. The race reached its climax with just over a lap to go, and as the riders hurtled towards the finish line, they unleashed their full acceleration. Mitchell, leading the pack, managed to maintain his position, though Kiah Dumigan was hot on his heels. In a nail-biting finish, Wade secured the win by mere centimetres, with Tim Grover taking third place and Victoria Smith claiming fourth. Smith showcased exceptional form throughout the carnival, dominating the women's events with an impressive string of victories.

In the Wright Family Shield junior handicap, George Tucker from Rockhampton was too good for the competition, winning by a considerable distance over Max Teague in second, Scott Bennett third and Oaklan Marwood in fourth.

The Wright Family Shield was introduced to honour junior and senior handicap race winners. The shield pays tribute to Hamish and Amanda Wright, members of the local track cycling scene over the past decade. Hamish Wright, a renowned figure in cycling, represented the club at four masters world championship events, securing medals in 2018 and 2022. He has won multiple Australian masters titles and is a consistent presence at state and national cycling events. In the Mackay carnival, Wright displayed his skills, earning a third place in the invitation keirin, with speedsters David Hutton and Josh Rainer from Cairns securing the top two spots. Wright also secured victory in the A-grade men's points race.

The father-son duo of Luke and Matthew Shatkowski also left their mark on the carnival, with Matthew achieving success in various events within the U15 category. Luke, competing in A-grade men, delivered a third-place finish in the scratch race and secured second place in the elimination event.

The success of the event would not have been possible without the generous sponsorship from CMR Recycling, Crane Logistics, Smart State Rentals, ATOM, and Valenhold.

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Determination was across Wade Mitchell’s face as he launched his attack in the senior men’s handicap with one lap to go

Hamish Wright presenting the Wright Family Shield to junior handicap winner, George Tucker

Invitational keirin podium; David Hutton (first), Josh Rayner (second), Hamish Wright (third)

The carnival saw a strong display of racing across all grades. Photo credit: Amanda Wright