NAILBITERS FEATURE OF BIKES AND SPIKES

IT was billed as one of the biggest and best local fields in Bikes and Spikes History but it was Victorian Jesse McKenna who produced a blistering run to take out the Hobart Bikes and Spikes men’s 100m Gift.

In a thrilling finish, McKenna took the honours with a time of 10.22 off a 3m handicap ahead of Hobart local Jacob Despard.

Despard, off a 0.25m handicap, finished in 10.38 seconds with Jarrod Gilroy (8.75m handicap) running third in 10.44 seconds. “Just like the heat and semi I got away with one of the best starts I’ve had so far,” McKenna said.

“From there I just relied on my top speed which I have a lot of faith in at the moment. I was very wary of the three talented amateurs coming from behind but I was just a bit too strong in that last stage and I’m stoked to get away with a win.

“I wasn’t sure if a three metre head start would be enough to be honest but I did everything right in the lead up to this race but mainly it was awesome to be in a race with names such as Hale, Despard and Azzopardi. Very privileged to be a part of the field.”

Last year’s winner Jagga Pybus couldn’t make it past the semi-final stage while Tasmanian sprint sensation Jack Hale finished fifth in the final with a time of 10.51 seconds.

The women’s 100m Gift saw Hobart’s own Isobel Gray win her first Gift with the youngster winning by just 0.01 seconds over Amy Pedder.

“I’m very shocked. I was not expecting to make the semi’s to be honest,” Gray said. “I just started Gifts a few years ago and it’s been really fun but this is definitely the highlight so far.

“I don’t think my block start was the quickest but the last 40 metres of my race has been improving this season which is what we’ve been working on and it paid off in that race.”

The women’s wheelrace also ended in a thriller with Tasmanian Lauren Perry winning by just 0.04 seconds to go back-to-back in the event while the men’s crown went to Dutch cyclist Roy Eefting, beating out Launceston’s Josh Duffy.