The track was in great shape – damp but it got dusty in places by the end of the day.

Forty-six seniors and 22 juniors started proceedings, including a few newcomers.

Denman Motor Cycle Club secretary Elisen Burkill said the feedback was “excellent”.

“We received comments like ‘great event today’, ‘thanks to all involved’, ‘we’ll be back’ and ‘I don’t think I have ever been this tired’,” she said.

“The juniors all had a terrific day.

“We boasted enough girls to run a junior girls’ 85/125cc class.

“The 65cc division rode the four-kilometre junior track for one-and-a-half hours before the bigger junior bikes rode eight kilometres, the 85cc for two hours and the lites another half hour (total two-and-a-half hours).

“All juniors finished.

“Competitors ride to their ability, with the rider completing most laps in the allocated time the winner.

“Often, mere minutes separate top riders in each class.”

In seniors, all over-35 competitors finished. 

However, there were a few minor dramas in some of the other classes.

“One ironman did not finish (DNF) due to injury,” Burkill said.

“One expert team, who was placed second, broke a bike.

“That’s okay, as it’s a pony express.

“So, they shared the second bike – but then they broke it too – a DNF.

“Two other teams just had enough and also registered DNF.”

In the senior ironman class, the top four riders finished within two minutes of each other after four hours of solo riding – an average of 18.12 minutes per lap, including refuelling.

In Pony Express, teams have two riders sharing the duties for five hours, usually on two bikes.

Should one bike fail, they can continue, sharing the remaining bike.

“The expert teams provided an interesting day,” Burkill said.

“The leading duo led most of the race – three flat tyres and man flu hampering their style.

“But, they reclaimed first place in the last lap.

“The team running second busted both their bikes and did not finish.

“That opened the door for another combination to claim that spot, just 28 seconds behind, after racing five hours and 19 laps.

“The fastest lap went to Dylan Rose (expert) with 15.19 minutes.

“Commiserations to one regular ironman, who got up early from Sydney, started his bike for sight lap and discovered his radiator had developed a split.”

Burkill said there were many people to thank.

“We are always grateful to landholder Jeff Wolfgang for allowing us use of his land in the pursuit of our sport and pastime,” she said.

“On top of that, Denman Rotary catered for the hungry with their barbeque.

“St John’s Singleton provided first aid (one recorded injury – a senior rider with broken ribs).

“To all our members who prepare the courses and pits prior to race day; the members who spend the day sweep riding, timekeeping and scoring; to all who help roll up tapes, collect pegs and pack up at the end of the day; and to all the riders who enjoy coming to Denman, a big thank you.”

Results:

Junior 65cc: 1 Raife Dooley, 2 Thomas Kelly, 3 Oliver Kelly

85cc small wheel: 1 Ned Chapman, 2 Kyle Marshall, 3 Aaron Simmons

85cc big wheel: 1 Bailey Graham, 2 Daniel Van Der Hoeven, 3 Rhys Ashman

Girls 85/125: 1 Holly Cuneo, 2 Layne Foster, 3 Amy Marshall

Junior lites: 1 Jed Blackhall, 2 Courtney Rubie, 3 Daniel Bowden

Ironman: 1 Mark Cockerill, 2 Jason Roods, 3 Blaine Cuneo

Expert Teams: 1 Amon Burkill and Richard Wilkins, 2 Trent Foster and Ben Filby, 3 Brittany Rubie and Tom Beck

Clubman teams: 1 John Whitney and Jye Cooper, 2 Justin Watt and Blake McFadzean

Over 35s: 1 Leigh Furnace and Gavin Van Der Wel, 2 Adam Sanderson and Brett Harris, 3 Tony Graham and Michael Collins.

For more information, go to www.denmanmcc.com.au