11/01/1992
By Geoff Cuckson
Warragul Cycling Club’s summer road series got off to an excellent start on Saturday with riders competing in graded Criteriums over the three km Burke St course. Despite the unavailability of several top riders, a total of 27 starters took part in blustery and sometimes slippery conditions.
With only two grades operating, the A grade numbers were swelled by the inclusion of several of the more consistent B graders of the previous season. The bunch of 13 stayed intact for almost the entire journey of 36 kilometres and the race again came down to a fast sprint home.
In almost a carbon copy finish of the first race of the 91 spring season, the tough little sprinter John Salton kicked clear at the 200 metre mark seeming to have the field covered. However, again to his frustration, he was unable to hold off the strong pedalling Wayne Kestle who flashed down the middle of the road to grab victory by a wheel and a half in a time of 55 mins 32 secs. In a tight finish for third, Darren Spiteri just edged out the newly promoted Glen Gibson and Glen Beveridge and the consistent Geoff Thomson.
The 13 B grade riders covered 33 kilometres in 54 minutes 15 seconds in an event which saw some of the newly promoted young riders attempt to break away a couple of times down the back in Wills St. Simon Cuckson made two attempts, firstly with “Dogged” Watts and then with Stuart Corkran but was unable to stay away as the more experienced riders pulled them back without any difficulty. The final sprint became an exciting charge as riders fanned across the road in an attempt to gain a clear run. Paul Yeatman, showing much improved form, stormed down the outside to grab the lead close to home and held on to defeat the more experienced Peter Finlayson, Ian Miller and Wayne Proud.
Former C graders Andrew Aitken and Watts finished close up in the bunch and took fifth and sixth respectively.
Youngster Murray Fenwick, in his first ride in open company, suffered gear trouble very early in the race but rode very well over the full journey generally on his own and could be a big improver during the season.
The juvenile events appeared to suffer from school holiday as only one rider cook part Stuart Cuckson rode the 21 kilometres on his own and needless to say scored convincingly.
Next week sees the first of the double headers with individual time trials to be held over the short three km circuit followed by graded scratch races over 28 km of the Landsborough road circuit
Riders and supporters are also reminded that track racing commences this Wednesday 15th, and all members are encouraged to come along and support the build up to the club’s track open scheduled for Sunday, March 29.
A reminder also that 1992 membership fees are due and should be forwarded to Tim Bernard.
