Our Cobra9 Leigh Surveying Racing squads were back in action in Gympie over the weekend taking on the best riders in SEQ and beyond. In 2022 we are again running 2 teams - an elite team and our masters crew.

The weekend consisted of 3 races (and a sprint event) packed into the 2 days. We were hosted spectacularly in the Mary Valley region by Rupert Leigh from Leigh Surveying in his wondrous abode. Plenty of good chat, beers and war stories unfolded each evening which is what Cobra9 racing is all about. Big thanks to our crew in support.

Our Masters team rode strongly with Ben Lawes again featuring on the podiums regularly including taking possession of the sprint jersey overall. Nick Miller was strong all weekend especially in the TTT alongside the new phenom for 2022 Jason Thomas. Jason excelled in the hilly terrain and also rode a superb TTT.

It was great to see Adam and Ralph back for their first races in some years alongside the oldest first timer in history Peter Rutherford. Peter was great company all weekend and his efforts in the sprint event were sensational. He also provided routine power updates alongside his cadence data.

In our elite team, Josh Prete commanded and inspired confidence across the squad returning to about 50% of the form he used to produce. With him up the road, everyone across the other teams were wondering whether the 2014 version might just ride away solo to the victory again. It wasn’t to be, but Ryan Thomas was on hand to delivery another podium fighting it out for a tough 2nd place. Luke Spiteri had a baptism of fire but looked right at home in the hillier terrain. You need to get through your first race to begin the journey and he has well and truly done that. QRTS is tough, and thats why we love it and fight hard to keep it.

Nick Dougall returned to racing and was splendid in the TTT. He also has this complexion that remains tanned all year round and really needs to be investigated and commercialised. Jordan Matters has his best event yet with a sterling ride in the first race surviving the distillation process to remain at the pointy end. Phil Cavdarski was Phil Cavdarski providing comic relief alongside some inspired efforts on and off the bike. Our Bridgelane import James Panizza improved every day after coming in hot from a Gastro bug and rode like a trooper on day 2. His TTT/ITT effort will also go down in Cobra9 folklore as well.

If you want to get an idea of the weekend, jump onto the Cobra9 Development Team Facebook page and listen in the to live streams from every race on the weekend. There is some terrible chat and some funny stuff as well to digest. Apologies to all who are offended by our pathetic attempts at humour.

Racing again in 2 weeks at Battle. Should be decent. We’ll see you there.

Sponsored by - Leigh Surveying, Cobra9 Cycling Orthotics, The Pedaler Health and Cafes, Intebuild, Loan Market (Adrian Cross), Dellacorda, J & N Investments, Attaquer and North West Physio. Legacy Sponsors as always - Megabake and Wurkstand - Stephan Small RIP legend.