Salton Wins Cloverlea handicap

16/08/2003

It was always going to be a fast race with weather conditions proving to be a spectacular contrast to last week. As the sunshine bathed the gathering swarm of cyclists, the ever-reliable handicapper, Staff Duncan developed an itch. Perhaps this was going to be a day for the scratchies.

In front of them lay the determination of 22 hungry riders and the first to leave were Glenda and Brendon Pridmore with Glenda de Blauw. Over their three-lap journey of the Gainsborough Rd circuit, they would ultimately have 14 minutes to try and protect. Kym Fisher was away 2 minutes later and then with an eight minute buffer a larger bunch of five comprising Ian de Bruyne, Steve Evans, Glenn Fisher, Vic Spunner and Dave Axford.

The awesome foursome led by Monique Hanley, Steve Hall, Rob Monk and Ian Walk were thinking of victory as they clicked into their machines and road off 2 ½ minutes later. Completing their first lap in 18:25 was a solid performance but would it be enough to hold off the fast approaching back markers?

A powerful B-grade were hoping to keep their pursuants at bay with some good team work from Keith Tomholt, Danny Dilger, Tim Lee, Matt Malacarne, Colin Brown, Peter Bailey, Justen O’Connor, Brett Miller and Gavin Lane. They would only have 1minute 30 to play with and a good start was important. As Danny issued the orders from the back, the B-grade bunch was quietly satisfied with their efforts in the first lap (17:11) having averaged above 40km/hr.

Unfortunately for them, A-Grade would get off to a flyer as John MacKenzie, Shane Stiles, Peter Finlayson, Scott Keeble, Gerard Donnely, Thommo and John Salton pushed hard taking 1minute and 3 seconds out of the bunch ahead in the first lap.

The two rear chasing bunches would become one on the second lap with some opting to work up front and others happy to sit on for the ride as the chase continued. By the end of lap two, only 1 and a half minutes would separate everyone who was still in the race.

The front markers, who by now had gone their separate ways finished lap 2 in around twenty two minutes. The two C-grade bunches crossed in 20:00 and 19:13 respectively. The A and B groups were now together crossing in a time of 16 minutes 30 seconds for their second lap.

So it was to be that all bunches would effectively meet up during the third lap to form a peleton of considerable size. The corners and gentle climbs caused the group to stretch but no serious attacks were offered.

It would come down to a bunch sprint on the fast slightly downhill finish. The pace intensified and a position close to the front would be important for those intent on winning. Attacks came from behind with Rob Monk putting in a brief but fruitless burst. Shane Stiles decided to lead out rather than contest the final sprint while the bustling Brett Miller came from behind, bouncing off anyone who would get in his way.

But for those who worked so hard to sweep all before them the final prize would not be given away easily. John Salton found the big gears to hold off Geoff Thomson while Scott Keeble wound up his legs for a third place. Gerrard Donnely crossed in fourth followed by Justen O’Connor, Brett Millar, Gavin Lane, and Keith Tomholt.

Overwhelmed by the flurry of shiny steel and colourful jerseys Staff was unable to accurately place the rest of the bunch. The following order was based upon some grainy video and the rough sketchings of a man in a hurry. All with the lead time of 1:03:43, Rob Monk, Monique Hanley, Vic Spunner, Shane Stiles, Keith Miller, Glenn Fisher, Ian Walk, Steve Evans, Colin Brown, Pete Bailey, John MacKenzie, Danny Dilger, Peter Finlayson and Matt Malacarne crossed the line.

Seventeen seconds later crossed Dave Axford, Kym Fisher and Steve Hall. Glenda Pridmore (1:08:01), Brendan Pridmore (1:08:10), Tim Lee (1:12:40), and Glenda de Blauw (1:17:58) rounded out the race (apologies to anyone I missed).

A strong junior bunch also enjoyed the pleasant conditions with nine riders putting in a solid effort. David de Bruyne, Ruby and Darly Bowyer, Zoe and Sam Atkinson, Brendan Pridmore, Amelia de Blauw, Alistair Crameri and Charlie Davine rode strongly in their race and should be proud of their effort.

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