INTO THE WOODS: Craig Barnes (left), David O'Connell and Matthew Corradin make their way through the Kinross State Forest course during Sunday's Ginja Ninja 250. Photo: JUDE KEOGH 0210ninja3_94_9
FOR fish out of water, Gus Tobin and Tim Guy make mountain biking look like a cake walk.
Two of Orange’s most decorated road racing stars, Tobin and Guy teamed up to tackle Sunday’s 2013 Ginja Ninja 250, the Central West Off Road Bike Club’s showpiece endurance event, and took to the Kinross State Forest dirt trails as if it was the smooth criterium circuits the two blitz on the national stage.
The pair, called Search To Retain for the team of two male category, defeated the fancied Ash And Lifecoach team of Andrew Arthur and Brad Glennam, completing 10 laps in a time of four hours and 24 minutes.
Search To Retain’s time was two minutes and 14 seconds faster than Ash And Lifecoach.
“It was a terrific battle,” organiser Rodney Farrell said. “It was so close all day. A lot of it was just 30 seconds to a minute separating them. Search to Retain got first and just held the lead.”
Farrell was rapt with the turn out for the second annual Ginja Ninja 250, with 215 entries taking to the forest trails.
He said both Tobin and Guy shone.
“For two road riders, I think they’re enjoying themselves,” he said.
Both Orange women Janet Martin and Kate Heynes fought it out to be the first solo female.
Martin won completing eight laps in 4.37:31, one lap in front of Heynes.
“She just didn’t have the legs to go with her,” Farrell said of Heynes.
“Janet is so strong and is riding really well at the moment. Both Kate and Janet used the home track conditions to their advantage.”
The solo male event was an interesting battle.
Paul Schroeder and Andrew Lloyd went toe-to-toe for the duration of the race, with Dubbo’s Schroeder edging out Lloyd by one lap.
“Paul’s a fantastic athlete and a very humble guy,” Farrell said.
“To have a decorated rider like Craig Gordon win last year then a local rider this year in Paul, it’s fantastic for the race.
“The little bit of rain we had just settled the dust nicely and the track rode well. It’s a credit to the club. The track was applauded as one of the best the riders have ridden on.”