Sport

Woofa’s memorial races attract 100

It was a proud moment for Mulwala resident Glenys Davis when she presented her son, local cyclist Nick Davis with first local over the line last Sunday in the inaugural 2022 Ian (Woofa) Davis Memorial Race and for winning C Grade in the Criterium the day before. Glenys presented all the prizes for the many winners and runners-up, in the event so well organised by Shepparton Cycling Club’s Wendy Abbott (pictured at left).

The inaugural Ian (Woofa) Davis Memorial Race Weekend 2022 has been hailed a success with 100 riders over the two days.

Shepparton Cycling Club hosted the Criterium street race last Saturday along the foreshore and Hunt Street which was raced by some 50 riders aged six to 76 years throughout Victoria - as far as Mornington - Wagga Wagga in NSW and Mt Gambier in SA.

The big, 54km handicap road race was raced last Sunday with approximately 50 riders heading out from south of the Yarrawonga CFA Station in Woods Road to Wilby and return to finish on Channel Road behind the aerodrome at the brick barbecue.

The pace is on as eventual winner of the Women off limit, and Queen of the Mountain, Brunswick Cycling Club’s Billie Russell, 13, leads Lachie Stewart, 12 of Bright.

The inaugural Memorial Race program honoured the late Yarrawonga/Mulwala local Ian (Woofa) Davis and his passion for cycling.

The event’s chief organiser, Shepparton Cycling Club President Wendy Abbott described the event as “a great weekend of cycling even with the heavy rain during a couple of races on Saturday afternoon”.

“Then the sun came out to shine on our course on Sunday with very little wind.

“Feedback from the riders and their families was positive and all said they intend to come back next year.”

Presentations were held for the Saturday Criterium at ClubMulwala and on Sunday at the CFA Station running track with Glenys Davis (Woofa’s wife) presenting the sashes.

Cyclists heading uphill with plenty of yellow canola in the background.

Woofa’s widow Glenys mentioned what his thoughts would be about the event and his profound influence.

“Ian would have been absolutely stoked about today,” she said. “I think he’d say Nick’s done an amazing job in helping to get this organised.

“It was just great to see grandson Mitch, granddaughter Thea, daughter-in-law Hannah, great nephew Marcus Larkins all competing, Nick racing too and was a winner, and all Ian’s old bike mates.”

Woofa was a local Yarrawonga legend of cycling who began racing in his 20s both on the track and on the road, riding with The Yarrawonga Cycling Club, the Hume Vets, and Cobram-Barooga Cycling Club during his lifetime, before a heart attack claimed him in his 67th year on November 19, 2017.

Wendy thanked and named all 50 sponsors, “without whom we would not be able to put on this event”.

“I also thank all our club officials, volunteers, commissaires and riders.

“I look forward to seeing you all at this event next year.”

More riders are expected in 2023 according to keen local supporters.

Sunday’s race: First place in the Under 17s, Max Holgate (Cobram Barooga Cycling Club) second placed Max Goold (Blackburn) and third placed Jack Edwards Shepparton.

Results

Podium Placings Ian “Woofa” Davis Memorial Road Race Sunday, August 21, 2022

Men

•1st Mark Dolphin Wangaratta

•2nd David Mann Albury Wodonga

•3rd Christian Stewart Alpine

•4th Paul Millynn Albury Wodonga

•5th Craig Andrea Mt Gambier

KOM Lachie Stewart Alpine

Fastest Time Liam Edwards Shepparton

1st Local Nick Davis Shepparton/Cobram Barooga

Moira Shire

Women

•1st Hannah Armstrong Melb Uni

•2nd Kathy Millynn Albury Wodonga

QOM Billie Russell Brunswick

Fastest Time Hannah Armstrong Melb Uni

1st Local

Moira Shire Hannah Armstrong Melb Uni

Junior Support Race

•1st Eliott Daly Cobram Barooga

•2nd Otis Gray Alpine

•3rd Thea Davis Shepparton

Men U17

•1st Max Holgate Cobram Barooga

•2nd Max GooldBlackburn

•3rd Jack Edwards Shepparton

Men’s U15

•1st Lachie Stewart Alpine

•2nd Maxx Nuspan Brunswick

•3rd James Maxted Carnegie Caulfield

Women’s U15

•1st Billie Russell Brunswick

Boys U13

•1st Ewan Walsh Shepparton

Girls U13

•1st Isla Shaw Shepparton

•2nd Nichola Morris Brunswick

Juniors U11

•1st Theo Gray Alpine

•2nd Scarlet Stewart Alpine

Saturday, August 20, 2022: Podium Placings Ian “Woofa” Davis Memorial Criterium.

Men’s A Grade

• 1st Sean Smith Aust Defence Force

• 2nd Thomas Lombardi Carnegie Caulfield

• 3rd Garry Milburn Alpine

Women’s A Grade

• 1st Fiona Morris Alpine

Men’s B Grade

• 1st Brian Smith Carnegie Caulfield

• 2nd Daniel Burrows Cobram Barooga

• 3rd Craig Sloper Cobram Barooga

Women’s B Grade

• 1st Hannah Armstrong Melb Uni

Men’s C Grade

•1st Nick Davis Shepparton/Cobram Barooga

•2nd Max Nuspan Brunswick

•3rd Luca Lancaster Shepparton

Women’s C Grade

•1st Paige Duffy Shepparton

•2nd Laura Smithers -Shaw Shepparton

•3rd Kathy Millynn Albury Wodonga

Men’s U17

•1st Max Goold Blackburn

•2nd Max Holgate Cobram Barooga

•3rd Jack Edwards Shepparton

Men’s U15

•1st Luca Lancaster Shepparton

•2nd Maxx Nuspan Brunswick

Women’s U15

•1st Billie Russell Brunswick

Boys U13

•1st Elliot Bye Alpine

•2nd Ewan Walsh Shepparton

Girls U13

•1st Isla Shaw Shepparton

•2nd Nicola Morris Brunswick

Junior

•1st Elliot Daly Cobram Barooga

•2nd Thea Davis Shepparton.

Journalist