23/08/2003
It would prove to be a race of attrition with heart rates soaring, legs burning and lungs straining to absorb every last ounce of oxygen as cyclists tackled the Picnic Point, Fishers Rd circuit.
For those electing not to make the ride out, parking space was at a premium with 41 cyclists across 5 grades competing. While both rain and wind were forecast only a modest head wind would ultimately play a role in the fight for the line.
As is custom, A-grade was first to tackle the race’s two main features, a longer steady climb off the start finish and a shorter but much steeper climb known as ‘the wall’ on Fishers Rd.
There was no time to warm up as the A-Grade bunch comprising Geoff Thomson, Gerard Donelley, Thomas Sandner, Shane Stiles, Aden Johnston, Murray Fenwick, Paul Rowse, Peter Finlayson, Brett Miller and John Salton mounted the first of four climbs past the start finish line.
The first cracks appeared in lap 2 when recently promoted Brett Miller found out what it was like to play with the big boys and staked a claim for a return to B-Grade as he lost touch with the bunch on the wall.
In the third lap this same obstacle would again prove decisive. Murray and Scott pressed after the hill leaving the still recovering Shane and John to push hard just to stay in touch.
Not his usual self, Thomas was unable to maintain contact and formed a chasing bunch with Geoff, Gerard, and Paul that ultimately would not succeed. Peter and Aden could not hold on and eventually retired at the end of lap 3.
The lead bunch was still together on the final lap and if Scott and Murray were to win they would need to shake the sprinters. And so it was that the attacks on the home straight came well before the line.
Content to ride out the surges from the cyclists in front, John timed his final assault for the line and was able to hold off the fast finishing Shane (his Russian coach was rumoured to be happy with the improvement but has called for more intensity on the Sunday training ride). Next across were Murray and Scott all sharing the time of 1:30:52.
Thomas road away from the chasing bunch to cross just under 1 minute behind. Geoff, Gerard and Paul were a further 30sec back. Brett finished his time trial in 1:38:14.
Peter Bailey’s sense of direction was left wanting having driven to the wrong venue. This ensured that lap one (24.43) for B-Grade got off to a slow start as the bunch half-heartedly waited.
The ‘wall’ on lap two unglued 2 more cyclists as both Colin Brown and Gavin Lane bogged down after getting caught in the big chain ring. Danny Dilger having also dropped off the back recovered to rejoin the bunch but would pay for the determined effort later.
The next two laps would see Ross Henry do more than his share of turns, Chris Beales tow the train up the steady climb and Justen O’Connor push hard up the wall. Wayne Chester (welcome back) proved more than durable in the bunch and Tim Lee was riding with a significant improvement in form.
It was ultimately Garry Wishard who on the penultimate lap launched from five deep during the steady climb to eventually shake Danny and cause Justen and Wayne to do some serious chasing.
Rejoining at the foot of the ‘wall’ Chris and Ross pulled hard over the top leaving many heart rates in the red zone.
And so it would be that the 6 remaining riders would fight for the line in a sprint. The head wind up the home stretch took its toll on those who opted to do the work and as the pace wound up rested legs would prove crucial.
Garry made a solid move but was caught on the line by Justen whose positioning in the bunch was just what the doctor ordered. Chris finished in third place, followed by Wayne, Tim and Ross all with a time of 1:36:40.
The testing circuit took its toll on Gavin, Colin, Peter and Danny who all retired and would have to wait to fight another day.
C-Grade welcomed a visitor from the big smoke in Steve Peterson who, as evidenced by the hard breathing in the bunch, was not alone in enjoying the fresh air. Unable to peel anyone off in the first lap they crossed as a group in a time of 26:36.
The legendary Vic Spunner was the first casualty on lap two but would go on to finish the race off strongly.
The final lap awaited the remaining bunch as they crossed the start finish line in a total time of 52:51 and it would be on this lap that the tiring legs within the bunch would eventually pop.
Young James Henry attacked on the wall and was eventually joined by Darren Williams, Michael Pridmore, Monique Hanley and Glenn Fisher.
This left a strung out chasing field comprising Steve, Dave Axford, Ian de Bruyne and Vic who eventually would finish the race on their own.
James powered home for the sprint finish getting over Monique, Michael, Glenn and Darren in a time of 1:17:51 for the race.
Glenda Pridmore, Kym Fisher, Rod Atkinson and Brendon Pridmore embarked on 2 laps of the circuit. With Glenda happy to go at her own pace the remaining three crossed in a respectable 29 minutes for the first lap.
A tough ride into the wind on the finishing straight saw Kym Fisher cross just ahead of Rod Atkinson in a time of 58 minutes. Followed shortly after was Brendan with a fantastic performance and then Glenda showing some good strength to finish only a few minutes back.
Eight juniors streamed up the road with considerable pace and proved to be quite slick in the conditions. Brendan Pridmore, David de Bruyne, Sian Williams, Zoe Atkinson, Sam Atkinson, Alistair Crameri and Amelia de Blauw all managed to make the accompanying senior riders puff by the finish.
Well done to everyone involved, next weeks racing is at Lillico.
