Geoff Clark asked me to photograph competitors at the start of Junior Mountain Climbing Championships Individual Time Trial yesterday.This isn't my usual style of photography,where I would move around the course and photograph what I choose,but rather to locate myself near the start and photograph each competitor on the start line and as they launched themselves into the race.I happily agreed to help out and the whole Clark family were on board helping too.It was a very different experience for me and quite full on,making sure I had enough memory cards,and also photographing the presentations,which were sometimes happening at the same time.Luckily Ros Clark was there to grab one of my cameras occasionally. I even had to synchronize natural breaks to coincide with race start times.
I really enjoyed the day and saw many local friends volunteering their time,from John (the missile) Myles,on parking duty. Allan (golden tonsils)Mills on the microphone and Aaron Smith(from Alpine Cycling Club) keeping an eye on the course on his Ducati.Many others were there helping and giving up their Saturday's to ensure the event ran like clock work.
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My view of the Start
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The man behind the microphone, Allan Mills,with one of the timing officials.
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President of Alpine Cycling Club Aaron Smith heading off to look for a snake that was on the course.
But the day was really about the racing and the Juniors efforts against the clock on what would be a very demanding course. The race started near the Porpunkah roundabout and used the Mt Buffalo Rd with various distances depending on age. The Wangaratta Cycling Club, of which I am a member,had some excellent results on the day.Thomas McDonald won the under 15 mens Time Trial and Abby Gray came 3rd in the under 15 female event. A strong showing also by Tomarsh Loki finishing 14th out of about 50 competitors, in a very strong field in the Under 17 men's event.Nicole Clark finished 8 th in the under 17 women.I hope I haven't missed anybody but if so somebody let me know and I'll add their details to the post.

Image Galleries of the ITT are currently being added to my website as I get time to edit them. Keep checking here to see how I'm getting on. Also another photographer Mark Riley is putting photos on his website of the action too as I was unable to attend Sunday's Road Race Stage.
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L-R,Hayden Dicocco-Grant,Thomas McDonald,James Tickner on the podium.Mens Under 15 ITT.
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Abby Gray with her medal for 3rd place.
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Nicole Clark from Wangaratta launches into the Time Trial
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Tomarsh Loki begins the ITT.
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Thomas Hamilton on the way to winning the Under 19 men's ITT.