CYCLING
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TIM Smith only started cycling to shed a few kilos.
He’s now on the cusp of claiming both Orange’s premier cycle race and this year’s spring series point score.
Now in its eight instalment, the Hotel Canobolas Orange Christmas Cup is Orange Cycling Club’s top road race of the year, with professional Dean Windsor claiming the inaugural crown in 2008 from guns Tim Guy, Michael Troy, Angus Tobin and Charlie Gascoyne.
Now, it’s Smith’s year.
Not the fastest rider - by his own admission - Smith’s consistency has been the key, and if he can maintain that across Saturday’s 68-kilometre handicap race, a win isn’t out of the realms of possibility.
Smith, though, has just one other goal.
“Not to have a heart attack along the way,” he laughed.
“I’ve been racing for three years now. The good thing about this kind of race is it’s a handicap. In theory, we should all finish at the same time. It gives everyone a shot.”
He said his love for the sport had grown since he first started cycling three years ago.
“Originally it was a weight-loss thing,” he added.
“But as time has gone on I’ve grown to love it. I’m leading the spring point-scoring series, which is a bit of a surprise ... I only found out the other day.
“There’s a number of guys who will be in contention, so if I can hold them off I’ll be doing well.”
Those other guys are Andrew Foxall, Terry Rossi and Neil Yeo.
Smith is on 19 points, with each of the other three on 15 points.
Bearing in mind all riders earn one point for starting, if any of Smith’s competitors are to usurp him, the maximum six points earned by being the first Orange-based cyclist across the finish line is required.
Second will earn five points, potentially tying Smith - and that’s assuming Smith isn’t in the top two or three competitors himself.
Defending champ Patrick Rourke will not be in the field this year but previous Orange winners Aidan Sugden, Matt McGrath and Alan Giumelli are racing.