18/01/1992
Warragul’s double header of racing on Saturday provided some surprising results with different riders taking each of the events in each of the three senior grades. Competitors were required to complete a three kilometer individual time trial and, after a short break, 24 kilometer graded scratch races.
The surprise packet of the time trial was the newly promoted A grader, Tim Eerhard who flew around the course in a time of four minutes, 10.91 seconds – almost two seconds faster than the noted sprinter John Salton who finished second. The improving Colin Aitken did well to finish a further two seconds back after a slight mishap after the start and Glen Beveridge had the fourth fastest time in an A grade field of nine. Stuart Corkran also caused an upset by taking out the B grade event in 4.26.78 ahead of Paul Yeatman, Grub Melnyk and Ian Miller.
In the third grade, Simon Cuckson surprised with a time which was two seconds faster than the B grade winner and better than some of the distance specialists in A grade. Youngster Michael McCrae in his first ride in open company did well to finish second with new member, veteran Gerry Anfried, third.
Scratch Racing
The A grade scratch race had an exciting finish with the nuggety Glen Gibson bursting from the bunch 200 meters out as riders jostled for positions. However, he was unable to go on with the job as Salton collared him and kicked clear. Andrew Palm, showing much improved form, also came out of the bunch very quickly and Eerhard, as has been his custom, flashed down the middle of the road in a desperate finish. Despite their lunges, neither was able to grab the dogged Salton and they had to be content with second and third respectively with Beveridge and Thomson close up and Gibson a tiring sixth.
Melnyk was the first B grader across the line ahead Yeatman, Corkran, Miller and Andrew Aitken whilst McCrae led in Murray Fenwick and Anfried in C grade. It was also good to see Mark Revitt-Mills back on the bike and keen to do well after a long layoff.
The juvenile riders took part in a 15 kilometer scratch race in which riders attempted several breaks to split the field. It appeared that Brett Williams and Aaron Nobelius may have succeeded mid race but some good chasing by Brad Clark and Stuart Cuckson brought the field back together. In a tight and spirited finish, Clark just edged out Williams with Cuckson and Nobelius not far away in third and fourth positions respectively.
The club would welcome any boys and girls of 16 years and under to take part in the upcoming juvenile events. With different grades operating there is an excellent opportunity for people to have either a serious competitive ride or just to have a leisurely trip around the circuit with other keen cyclists.
Juvenile events commence from beside the netball courts in Burke St at 1.30 pm each week.
Wednesday’s track events again attracted good senior fields with juvenile numbers still affected by school holidays.
The highlights of the night included the very fast flying laps against the clock by Kestle (who set a new junior record of 20.84 seconds), Jackson and Kypriotis, two graded scratch races sponsored by Drouin Cycles, and an exciting Italian team pursuit event which to the naked eye was deemed a dead-heat after four very fast laps. Kestle, Kypriotis and Gallagher continued their dominance over the A graders although Salton’s third placing in the final scratch race was his best track result for some time.
B grade performances were headed by Sale Maffra visitor Chris Ray, locals Eerhard and Gibson and youngster Richard Abel who has just progressed from juvenile ranks. Williams again proved too slick for the juveniles although Nobelius battled hard and Travis Fromholtz held the lead for a long part of the combined handicap event
Next Saturday sees a return to criterium racing on Burke St and riders and supporters are advised of the intention to offer some afternoon tea nibbles for the after race ‘post mortems’.
