The format was the same as last year, with the start at the Palisades Hotel, and the last two riders each lap eliminated by water pistol fire, provided by Bill and Jade. Pottinger Street, the most pot-holed street in Sydney, had become even more disfigured than last year and gave the mountain bike riders some chance against the road bikes.
The nominations please:
from Allied: Brook, Lawrence, Dean, Daryl, Nick
from Bonds: Dave
from Braggs: Joe, Rick, Wayde
from Crisis: Mark
from Direct: Ben (Bill on waterpistol, Adam on camera)
from Grace: Alex
from Mail Call: Greg, Mark, Baden, Jared, Paul
from Red Tag: James
from X-Force: Ian
and from the archives: Ollie, ex top gun, mail call, grace, now radio operator at grace; Emma, ex mail call and x-force; and Mick, ex snap.
The field was equally split between road bikes and mountain bikes. Based on the elimination of 2 riders per lap the race should have gone for 9 laps and left 4 riders to fight out the last lap. As it turned out there was some voluntary attrition as well, so it was reduced to 8 laps.
And the results:
1. Ollie (1st road bike) Crumpler bag and $30 (kindly bought drinks for top 10 finishers)
2. Emma (2nd road bike, 1st and only woman) crumpler nad and $20
3. Baden (1st mtb) crumpler shin guards and radio holder
4. Wayde (2nd mtb) ankle thingy
5. Mark.
The t-shirt went to James, who was in front on the first lap but mysteriously failed to follow the course and, after doubling back to rectify the mistake, went for a slide on the fastest corner. Thanks to Crumpler and to the helpers and spectators.