23/08/2026
Where else would you rather be on a perfect late winter’s morning? A challenging course, clear skies, outrageously handsome Commissaires and volunteers and Sydney’s (and Newcastle’s and the Illawarra’s) most dedicated racers. This event also saw our rescheduled 2025 Manly Warringah Club Championships, presented by Blackchrome Cycling
A Grade Men saw 14 starters, including last up winner Edwin Britts and West Head podium regulars Ben Dyball and Alex Galea, and West Head newcomer Christoffer Hansen.
Lap 1 had the bulk of the group intact with some comments from the peanut gallery about the lack of pace. Lap 2 saw things break up into two groups – but mostly due to B Grade barging their way through. Christoffer Hansen had fallen by the wayside by this stage with injury and he was joined by more not long after. The Group 1 and Group 2 arrangements held for lap three and on the final Ben Dyball had pulled a lead out that was held for the last few ks, taking the win ahead of Alex Galea and Edwin Britts.
Some low numbers in Masters 45+ saw that group merge in with the 55+ grey nomads. Plenty of MWCC kit in this bunch and as usual the pace was varied and had David Ledger wishing he hadn’t try to race with a cold. Nigel Dunn and David Williams never ventured too far from the front of the bunch but ultimately it was Dudley Hoskin taking the win ahead of Dan Marles and David Williams – with David picking up the 55+ MWCC Club Champion title.
B Women had six racers take the line for the two lap journey, featuring some new faces to West Head. After some two-ing and fro-ing a group of three had managed to force a break, staying away for the remainder of the race, with Lousia Rieger scoring the W over Charli Lehmann and Ella Hardie, with Charli picking up the B Women MWCC Club Champion title.
B Grade Men may have been looking for a leisurely three laps but Matilda Offord had entered and decided everyone needed a hurry up. The bunch seemed to be riding a frantic pace and a leading split had punctured A grade at some point around the second lap. That split held the 40 odd second lead throughout the remainder of the race and taking the line was Ethan Huang ahead of Mattijs Hoogendoorn. Phil Hersey was the first qualified MWCC rider across the line taking the B Men MWCC Club Champion jersey.
C Grade Men was the biggest bunch of the day for the 44 km race with a diverse bunch. The usual C Grade shenanigans ensured with a few digs but not much sticking. Oliver Pozzecco managed to stay ahead at the final sprint taking a win ahead of Daniel Arnamnart (welcome to West Head Daniel?) and Andrew Pham. Jas Young was the first qualified MWCC rider earning him the yellow bands of MWCC Club Champion.
D Grade saw Arthur Snow make the journey down from Newcastle and Elliot O’Brien make the journey up from Randwick, placing first and third and bookending Yanxiao Ma in second.
Thank you to all our competitors and thank you to all our volunteers who make our events happen. If you’re thinking it’s about time you did your bit and volunteered, get in touch with the club at [email protected] or via Messenger https://www.facebook.com/mwcycleclub. Norbert Gerold did, and now he’s $250 richer from our volunteer raffle.
Confirmation of the results:
A Grade Men
1. Ben Dyball Penrith Cycling Club
2. Alex Galea Southern Cross Cycle Club
3. Edwin Britts Dulwich Hill Bicycle Club
45+/55+
1. Dudley Hoskin Bicisport
2. Dan Marles Manly Warringah CC
3. David Williams – and MWCC Club Champion
B Grade Women
1. Louisa Reiger Rapha Cycle Club Sydney
2. Charli Lehmann – and MWCC Club Champion
3. Ella Hardie Manly Warringah CC
B Grade Men
1. Ethan Huang Randwick Cycling
2. Mattijs Hoogendoorn Rapha CC
3. Zenas Lister Parramatta Cycling Club
Phil Hersey – MWCC Club Champion
C Grade Men
1. Oliver Pozzecco
2. Daniel Armarnart Lane Cove Velo
3. Andrew Pham Les Gars CC
Jas Young – MWCC Club Champion
D Grade
1. Arthur Snow Newcastle Hunter Cycling Club
2. Yanxiao Ma
3. Elliot O’Brien Randwick Botany CC
Photos by Richard Scriven. Full photoset to follow.
