Golden boys master Sydney

Alex de Vos
Reaching speeds up to 38km/h, two Torquay cyclists have smashed their competition to win gold medals at World Masters Games in Sydney.
Veteran athletes Bill McConnell and John Randall said they were elated with their efforts at the prestigious competition this month.
McConnell, 70, won a gold medal in the men’s 70-74 individual time trial.
Mr Randall, 78, won gold in the men’s 75-79 time trial along with two bronze medals in road race and criterium events.
Mr McConnell, who took up the sport two and a half years ago, said he was drawn to the competitive and social aspects of cycling.
“I’ve always been a competitive person and played a lot of sport,” he said.
“I got into cycling by accident though – I bought a bike for my wife and I and by chance I ran into John at the bike shop and he encouraged me to join Geelong Veteran Cycling Club.
“Now I go out about five days a week – I really enjoy the social side and feel terrific.”
After 10 years of racing, Mr Randall, who will turn 79 in December, said he was considering retiring from competitive cycling.
He started riding when he was 16 but gave up when he turned 23 to start a family.
“I was a very keen windsurfer but one day the wind wasn’t blowing and I thought I had to find something else to do, so I started cycling again,” he explained
“It was great to get back into it – I felt just like a youngster, except I was going a lot slower.
“As you get older the numbers go down – there’s only about 10 or 12 people in my age group. I’ve managed to keep going but I’m considering retiring this year.”