Resplendent
in their ADF nicks and jerseys, a team of ADF cyclists made their
debut on the open racing scene for the start of Canberra’s
track and criterium season.
The ADF team, called the Military Muscle Machine, pitched its
might and skills against some of Canberra’s top cyclists.
LEUT Tony Winter captained the team of CMDR Menno (Zed) Zwerwer,
LTCOL Tim Sanders, SQNLDR Judy Scott, CPL Martin Johns (RAAF)
and Luke Grattan (Defence civilian).
Tony kick-started the season with an outstanding performance in
track, winning the A grade event against a daunting field of elite
cyclists.
The team lined up for fierce competition in the criterium, representing
the ADF in all grades from A to D.
Canberra is home to some of Australia’s top cyclists, yet
despite tough opposition from state and national representatives,
each member of the team secured a top 10 position, eclipsing the
performance of the other teams.
The effort of the Military Muscle Machine for the first battle
of Canberra’s track and criterium season saw the team earn
a total of 62 points with the nearest team on 35 points for a
commanding lead early in the season.
Racing will continue until the season ends in April 2004, when
the Military Muscle Machine fully intends to declare the war won.
Cycling, in its own right, is a recent entrant into the ADF sports
arena – nestled under the wing of the Australian Service
Triathlon Association. With performances like these and recent
successes in the Northern Territory Games, ADF cyclists are making
their mark for a future as an ADF sport.
