19/03/1994
With so many riders away, Saturday’s club event resulted in a small but competitive field contesting a 40 km B Grade scratch. Over the tough Hunters and Landsborough Rd circuits, eight riders set a solid pace with a fired up Peter Bailey staging several attacks. The experienced Grub Melnyk and a fitter Ross Henry worked hard to cover the moves’ whilst a strong Tim Plozza and rejuvenated Jason Boxall handled the climbing well. Averaging 34 kph, these riders, along with former state road champion Thad-deus Roos, stayed together for a long sprint home. Henry worked very hard at the front as he led the field over the final two kilometres with Bailey on his wheel.
Plozza was first to jump with over 800 meters to go and despite Bailey’s attempts to grab him, held on for a strong win in a time of 1:13:18. Roos came in third ahead of Henry, Boxall and Melnyk in a close finish. Vic Spunner battled hard over the same course and is improving each week after a long layoff.
Although finding the Hunters Rd hills a battle, Anthony Vogrig came away to take out C Grade in a time of 1:08:51 for the 34 km event.
It was good to see Ted Dunn back on the bike for second also to see youngster Paul Larkins in his first attempt over the senior trip. Paul did a great job over the entire journey giving Ted plenty of cheek on the hills although spinning smaller gears.
The novice juniors, although also down in numbers, rode a longer mixed handicap with another newcomer Braddyn Cook covering 12 km to take the honours. Ten year old Rebecca McKellar put in a great effort over nine km to come in second ahead of back-markers Trent Tapscott, Justin Spunner and Shane Boxall who all rode 15 km. The improving Anthony Young was unfortunate to break his chain inside the final lap as he and the other scratchies had consistently rotated the lead in their chase for the front markers.
Despite the longer journey, the youngsters were very keen for a second event and all improved previous times over the 300 meter sprint with Justin just pipping Trent, Anthony and two little tackers in Simon and James Henry on their mini and minute cycles.
Although missing the final event, Thomson took out the summer series ahead of Murray Fenwick with Plozza edging out Bailey and Spunner for third.
Members and supporters are reminded that this Saturday will see the running of the Blue Rock Classic at Willow Grove staged by the Riding for the Disabled in which we have accepted a request to organize the cycle leg-
All offers of assistance will be greatly appreciated thanks.
