Our Racing Squads update - Cobra9 Leigh Surveying Racing Round 2 report QRTS 2022

TTT Ben Lawes, Jason Thomas, Nick Miller

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.

Phil Cavdarski - Pain Face

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.

Jason Thomas - TTT - Solid

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.

Elite Squadra - James Panizza, Josh Prete, Phil Cavdarski, Nick Dougall, Luke Spiteri, Ryan Thomas, Jordan Matters

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.

Nick Dougall on the charge

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.

Stage 3 Battle Recharged - A day in the Sun

words - Luke Stenner

photo - Harry Dennis

Hot and dry westerly winds swept in across the range this morning as the team arrived to stage 3 in the township of Tyalgum.....a familiar but typically difficult hunting ground for the Cobra's.

The boys were calm and positive after a solid day out yesterday, and DS Prete set out providing the strategy for the day's race. Ensuring all bases were covered, a potential podium was on the cards, and hopefully a stronger result in the teams classification.

From the drop of the flag at around 1km into the race it was ON! With a flurry of attacks.......Liam Nolan was first to pounce and went with an early break of around 8 riders, which got out to around 30sec at one point. Unfortunately Liam had a mechanical which ended his race prematurely.

The race came back together soon after where more attacks were being launched off the front.....Dave Edwards was in most of these from what we could see from the car....but at this stage, the peloton wears not letting anything get too far ahead.

Nearing the end of the 1st lap with the weather already starting to take its toll, and the climbs beginning, the elastic finally broke and a single rider from Olivers Racing (the eventual winner by 6min!) broke free, solo with approx 19 riders chasing and in pursuit. From this group of 19 riders, Olly broke clear with Kane Richards (McDonald's) and they then spent the next 60kms or so chopping off into the searing heat and brutal cross and head winds. 

With the Olivers racing rider gradually taking more time from Ollie and Kane, and from the chasing bunches,.....a smaller group of 5 riders bridged across to Ollie with approx 25km to go. Olly managed to grit his teeth, drink one more coke, and take one more gel and hang on with this group until the last KOM.....just losing contact at the top coming in a very respectable 6th, moving himself into 5th on overall GC. Jono Butler had another consistent day finishing in the first chasing bunch in 14th and holds his GC position in 15th. Mitch, Josh and Tim all rode strong in the peloton, finishing in various bunches on the road. The Team now sit in 4th on GC....a huge result!

An equally big day and kudos to all the support today.....with the weather so brutal....and with various mechanicals and breaks everyone was stretched and had to push hard for a excellent team result.

Now back at our digs for a icy cold refreshing ale, showers and some rest before another hot and windy day in the hills around Tyalgum tomorrow.

Big thanks to Luke for generating some content after today's stage.  All the guys were pretty shattered and getting creative can be trying.  Cheers mate.

Battle Recharge Day 1 Wrap

Huge day for our strong(est) squad on the Tweed.  Day 1 included a 21 km Road Bike Team Time Trial and an afternoon 1 hour Criterium.

The TTT was an eventful affair with 4 of the squad holding the form to the finish line with the boys coming in 5th only 1:57 down on the powerful Isowhey squad.  

The afternoon crit was typically brutal with half of the field finishing and the remainder having an early shower.  Jono Butler came across the line 8th after repeated attacks by Dave and Olly didn't manage to come off.

All in all, a good day out.  We asked the chaps for some quotes after the criterium.  The feedback was the usual candid colour we have come to expect from the guys.

"Fantastic" - Josh Prete

"That was harder then 'Nam" Mitch Neumann

"F@ck you looked strong Mitch!" - Josh Beikoff

"See you at the pub" - Dave Edwards

"Beer and Strawberry tastes like Butthole" - Anon

Some very impressive riding from Jono Butler and Olly Smith to animate the crit.  Mitch and Dave did what they needed to ensure they will be a force tomorrow.  Liam, Josh and Tim rode strongly and will again be ready to get the job done over the next few days.

Tomorrows road stage is lumpy and you can expect there to be some huge time gaps by then end.  The support crew will be on hand to keep you informed all day via our Facebook Live Feed. Luke, Josh, Brett and Ben were superb all day keeping those interested updated.  Harry Dennis again took care of the visuals with a superb collection of shots.

Stage 1

TTT 21.7km 

1. Isowhey 28:27:05

2. Mobius Future Racing +1:15

3. NSWIS +1:16

4. Olivers Real Food Racing +1:28

5. Cobra9 Intebuild Racing +1:57

6 - 15 .......

Stage 2. Criterium 1 hour + 2 laps 

1st Cameron Bailey

8th Jono Butler +10

27th Olly Smith ST

45th Mitch Neumann ST

50th Dave Edwards +25