Thrills and Spills

25/01/1992

By Geoff Cuckson

Despite the loss of several of the stronger riders to various Australia Day weekend carnivals, the Warragul Cycling Club’s road series continued with excellent Criterium riding last Saturday.  Competitors made up one juvenile and three senior grades and in perfect weather conditions worked hard as bunches to improve recent race times.  Although small in number the juvenile field of four tads pushed hard throughout the entire 18 kilometre journey.

Aaron Nobelius was at his attacking best as he attempted to break the bunch up on several occasions, however it was not until just before the bell that he and triathlete Brad Clark kicked clear of the battling Stuart Cuckson and Brett Miller.  Nobelius held the advantage with a fast final lap but in a very close tussle to the line was unable to hold off the stronger sprinting Clark with less than a wheel separating the riders.

The final sprint in the 36 kilometre A grade event was sensationally upset when new rider Len Van Berkel took a heavy fall inside the final 100 metres as riders were charging for the line.  The incident caused a couple of riders to check their run and Van Berkel, although shaken up a little, was treated for bruising and lacerations and able to go home to rest.  The final sprint was won by an improving Andrew Palm from Colin Aitken and Tony Clark in a close finish with Tim Eerhard and Glen Beveridge battling on after just avoiding the fall.

The improvement in B grader Stuart Corkran was again evident and his final burst was too much for his opposition at the end of their 36 kilometre trip.  Youngster Michael McCrae again proved that he will be a top rider with more experience as he worked hard during the race and fought on strongly to take second place ahead of Wayne Proud and Paul Yeatman.

In the C grade event, Nobelius backed up for another ride and ripped his opponents apart with his attacking moves, taking the 21 kilometre event by almost a minute.  Mark Revitt-Mills and the resuming Matthew Miller staged a ding dong sprint for second place with the former club president coming from behind to snatch the points with Sue Van derveen a close up fourth.

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