03/12/1994
Having produced top line cyclists such as Phil Gallagher, Wayne Kestle and Aaron Nobelius over recent years, Warragul Cycling Club is again set to, boast classy juniors following last weekend’s cycling happenings.
Very promising 14 and 15 year olds Stephen Fenwick and Daniel Dilger are at present making their mark in the state’s junior track development squad being held at the Northcote velodrome whilst 16 year old Scott Keeble turned in a much improved club road effort on Saturday.
With some excellent club performances over recent weeks against A grade opposition Fenwick is labeling himself as one of the state’s top junior cyclists with great potential and a strong dedication to reach that level.
Dilger and Keeble have also shown tremendous improvement over the past six months with both now also riding in the top club grade.
Keeble put in a very strong effort last Saturday when he and seasoned campaigner Geoff Thomson ripped the 36km A grade KFC scratch race field apart to fight out a close finish.
Three laps of the Landsborough Rd circuit saw five of the 12 man field fail to finish as the heat and “slaughterhouse hill” took their toll.
Despite several attempts to break up the field it was not until Marist Sion Hill in Burke St with 10km to ride that gaps were opened.
Keeble took off over ” slaughterhouse” in the final lap with only Thomson able to stay in touch.
With the old head working over time, Thommo was able to settle the youngster down and in a final sprint to the line, take out the event by a mere three seconds.
An improving Ross Henry came through some 30 seconds away third and was followed in by Tim Plozza, Graeme Hanks, Rik Talbot and Stephen Twinning.
The B grade finish to the 27km event was a ripper as four of the starters finished in very close proximity to each other.
After the riders stayed together for most of the race, the event took a sense of urgency at the hospital roundabout with two km to ride as Kim Spunner jumped off the front.
Peter Bailey, Phil Grant and Paul Yeatman took a while to reel him in but then settled for the sprint in Burke St.
Newcomer Grant went for home 300 meters out but was unable to hold out the gritty Bailey who wore him down and with 50 meters to ride looked to have the race in his keeping.
However the more the experienced Yeatman wound up his bike and with a desperate lunge was awarded the race right on the line.
Grant came in just off the back in a promising effort with Spunner running out of legs some 20 meters behind.
His father Vic continued his solid effort on the big ring to finish three minutes down whilst Brett Williams and Simon Cuckson were welcome inclusions after long layoff.
Three juniors took part in a 3km time trial and 6km scratch Seans Pizza Double Header with Trent Tapscott showing potential to take out both events with Ben Gumming and Shane Boxall also showing gradual improvement each week.
Junior numbers have been fairly high of late and these three boys are looking forward to the return of the other competitors next week.
Club preparations are on in earnest for the Track Open Carnival to be held again this season on Australia Day – Thursday 26th January.
The club has been allocated four state championships this year which is an indication of the high esteem in which the WCC is held by Victoria Cycling Inc in staging top class track events.
