Humbert returns for Woodman Memorial

WAGGA’S globe-trotting cyclist Ashley Humbert will hop off a plane and onto his bike to race in the time-honoured John Woodman Memorial Cycle Classic on Sunday.Perfectly timing his return from a week of competing in major road events in Japan, Humbert will ride from the scratch mark in the Woodman Memorial which starts in Wagga and ends in Albury.Now in its 22nd year, the 137 kilometre road race has attracted a field of 90 riders, with Humbert one of the star attractions.Wagga cycling legend Barry O’Hagan revealed yesterday Humbert would have to bank on not being jetlagged to be at his peak for the race.O’Hagan said the Wagga star would have only days to recover from the long flight from Tokyo.“Ashley is really keen to win this race,” O’Hagan said. “He’ll be off scratch and will be hard to beat.“Although the numbers are down a little, the quality of the riders is really strong.”O’Hagan said a powerful contingent from Canberra and crack Shepparton riders Trent Stevenson and Lee Egan would test Humbert to the limit.“We’ve actually got 22 riders off scratch so it will be a big bunch,” O’Hagan said.“I’d imagine the racing will be right and exciting.”Riders, who must sign on for the event at Tolland Hotel before the 10am start, will compete in four grades, with Wagga veteran Wayne Collingwood favoured in D grade.Other Wagga riders in contention in various grades are Simon Haworth, Jim Hogan, Jason Condon and teenager Brodie Pearse.“I think Simon Haworth and James Rendell have a chance,” O’Hagan said.“They’re in the second bunch off seven minutes 30 seconds.”With the top riders averaging about 44kmh, the race is expected to take about three-and-a-half hours.Wagga mayor Kerry Pascoe has been invited to wave off the riders from the starting point adjacent to Jubilee Park at 10am on Sunday.