30/11/1991
By Geoff Cuckson
The B grade middle markers continued their dominance of Warragul cycling club’s handicap racing with some strong performances again last Saturday. The 48 kilometre trip posed no problems to the hard working bunch of riders off 8 minutes 30 seconds as they powered along to finish almost three minutes in front of their nearest opponents. This four man group headed by the nuggety Glen Gibson and the unlucky Graeme Hanks quickly picked up the three bunches in front of them and with great support from 10 minute markers Lindsay Radcliffe and the vastly improved Rohan Watts were never in danger of being caught. Gibson, for the third time in five races this season, proved too strong and too fast in the final sprint and took out line honours in a time of one hour 18 minutes 42 seconds. Brian Miller won a spirited sprint for second ahead of Radcliffe, Grub Melnyk, and Watts, while Hanks’ run of bad luck continued when he punctured down the back straight in Landsborough Rd.
John Salton (2.30) kicked clear 1000 metres out to lead in the second bunch which included Paul Rowse (2.30) showing a welcome return to form, Geoff Thomson who lost his fellow 4.30 markers mid race, and scratch marker Phil Gallagher whose time of 1 hour 13 mins 9 seconds gave him fastest for the journey.
Also showing welcome returns were Paul Mead and former top cyclist and great club stalwart John Batten, back on the bike after a two year lay-off.
The juvenile handicap over 17 km saw Aaron Nobelius continue his improved form to out sprint Stuart Cuckson and take line honours in a time of 29 minutes dead.
These two boys worked well together and lost only three seconds to the “scratchies”. Brad Clark, fresh from inclusion in the State Juvenile Triathlon squad took out fastest time in finishing third ahead of Michael Mcrae, Travis Fromholtz and another improver, Ryan Turk.
With only two races remaining for the spring season each section appears to have narrowed down to three way battles for the points score event
Gibson has taken over in the seniors with 30 points, ahead of Stuart Corkran 27 and Wayne Kestle 24 while Watts 2 l and Miller 20 head the rest but may be just out of contention.
David Reid still leads the juveniles with 28 points and is followed by Brett Williams 25 and Turk 21.
