The Dixon Homes CQ Cycling Team had a very successful weekend at the Tour de Tablelands, held on the Atherton Tablelands on the 2nd to the 4th of May.

 

Harry Rassie of Rackhampton finished 5th overall, in a very high quality field of 38 riders.

 

In B Grade Wade Mitchell of Mackay also finished 4th overall, after a very strong Individual Time Trial in Stage 2 and strong showing in the Road Stages.

 

 

The Dixon Homes Team fielded a strong contingent for the first big event of the year.  Evan Corry, Harry Rassie, Toby Boylan, Ian Johnston, Marteen Wouters, Josh Edwards, Lindsay McMaster and Damien Harris all lined up keen to perform well in the event.

 

The opening Stage consisted of a short Road Race from Yungaburra to Lake Tinaroo and back.  The attacks started as soon as the commissaires car pulled aside with a strong break of several riders heading over the first hill.  Deon Locke of Ride Media Team bridged across shortly after, but from there on the break steadily made time on the peloton until the finish in Yungaburra.   Harry Rassie and Toby Boylan were well positioned in the lead group with Toby finishing an excellent second place.   The break finished with a gap of over nearly 4 minutes on the remaining riders, which would take some pulling in over the following stages.  Maarten, Eddy and Pidge put in a big effort in the bunch sprint.

 

Stage 2 consisted of a 4 km Time Trial.  Marteen Wouters and Ian Johnston finished the best of the Dixon Homes riders with times of 5min 41 and 5min 43 seconds respectively.

 

Stage 3 was two laps of the Curtain Fig Rd on the outskirts of Yungaburra, totalling 40km.  The peloton were much more attentive to breakaway riders, with the Merida Team and Ride Media team maintaining a strong presence at the front.  On the second lap Evan Corry formed a breakaway with three other riders.  The four maintained an advantage all the way to the finish, with Evan taking second place for the Stage.  

 

Stage 4 is usually one of the toughest races on the Calendar - the Yungaburra Criterium.  Unfortunately the weather closed in and made racing impossible on the slippery roads.  The stage was cancelled, and prizemoney added to the following days stage.

 

Stage 5 comprised of a 95km Road Race from Yungaburra through Malanda to the Kennedy Highway, back through Malanda twice to finish in Yungaburra.  The second lap of the Malanda Rd was sure to sort out the contenders from the pretenders.   The Dixon Homes Team worked hard throughout the race to keep the pace firm, whilst protecting our riders high on GC.   On the second circuit the pace started to take its toll.   Harry Rassie made his move with Josh Hislop of Townsville, and Deon Locke of the Ride Media Team.  The three held an advantage from the final hills to the Yungaburra township, with Deon taking the stage win, and the overall championship, and Harry finishing third, an excellent result.

 

Overall it was an excellent effort from all riders, everyone put in the maximum effort and worked together as a Team.  Thanks to our major sponsors Dixon Homes who were in attendance at the races, and were very impressed with the Team.