Bathurst boys tipped to set pace in Orange

BATHURST’S Dean Windsor will be back to try and defend his crown when he lines up in the 2009 Forest Reefs Tavern Christmas Cup this Saturday.

Windsor took out the 2008 event and could face his toughest competition this year from younger brother Blair, who will also be saddling up.

The siblings are expected to set the pace for the scratch markers in the handicapped event.

The Christmas Cup is the Orange club’s main event of the year.

It attracts a quality field as it is an inter-club event bringing in riders from Bathurst and Dubbo.

Young gun Angus Tobin will be one to watch from the host club and the teenager could ride with the scratch markers depending on numbers.

Experienced Orange cyclist Charlie Gascoyne could be one to watch for at the finish line, especially if there is a sprint finish.

There will be plenty of Orange starters all keen to try and keep the trophy with the host club.

While the Christmas Cup is currently an inter-club event, it is hoped it will grow in popularity and eventually become a stand-alone race which would be held annually.

The event will be held this Saturday and will start and finish at the Forest Reefs Tavern.

The handicapped race will have riders cover 54km by completing three loops of the course.

As the event is handicapped it does cater to varying abilities.

Sign-on is at 3.30pm and the race starts at 4pm.