Keeble Wins ITT

06/09/2003

Some say it’s the ultimate test. A battle against the clock, in which cyclist and machine confront only the elements to post the fastest time. It is the individual time trial, the race of truth. And so it was that 26 riders took on the clock for 11.6 kilometers on the windy Gainsborough Rd circuit.

Heart rates quickened as each subsequent rider clicked into their cleats on the start line. The last few deep breaths were stolen as Staf counted down the 30-second interval that would separate each cyclist.

Leave the line too slowly and costly seconds are lost. Push too hard and the athlete runs the risk of not recovering. Those who could establish an early rhythm would benefit as they turned the first corner into the stiff headwind.

For many, their heart rates exceeded sustainable limits as muscles burned and lungs seared. For Scott Keeble, it was a calculated ride that established him as one of the fastest individuals in the club taking the points in A-Grade. Contentiously getting off to a rolling start Scotty posted an awesome 17:23 for his lap averaging 40km/hr in the blustery conditions.

Murray Fenwick, without the fancy bars, was 27 seconds down but managed to hold a 3 second buffer over Shane Stiles.

Chris Beales traded the BMX for a real bike and found it suited him, posting the fastest time in B-Grade with a handy 18:38. Big bustling Brett Millar received no shelter from the wind and still managed to take out second only 7 seconds down with an improving Tim Lee 32 seconds behind.

Young James Henry was able to get down low and go go go to post a fantastic time of 20:03. Rob Monk, who’s pre-race strategy was to real in Monique Hanley, succeeded in pegging back 4 seconds on her to secure second in a time of 20:26.

An upset in D-Grade saw Brendan Pridmore hop out of the front seat of the car and take over front position in the pack with a sensational time of 22:13. Following Brendon was Helen Bowyer only five seconds shy leaving Rod Atkinson to grab 3rd.

The following lists the times for all cyclists in order of fastest to slowest:

A-Grade:

  1. Scott K., 17:23;
  2. Murray F., 17:50;
  3. Shane S., 17:53;
  4. Thomas S., 17:57;
  5. John S., 18:04;
  6. Gerrard D., 18:24;
  7. Paul R., 18:35.

B-Grade:

  1. Chris B., 18:38;
  2. Brett M., 18:45;
  3. Tim L., 19:17;
  4. Wayne C., 19:27;
  5. Ross H., 19:42;
  6. Justen O., 20:01.

C-Grade:

  1. James H., 20:03;
  2. Rob M., 20:26;
  3. Monique H., 20:30;
  4. Vic S., 20:46;
  5. Steve E., 20:49;
  6. Glenn F., 20:52;
  7. Michael P., 20:55;
  8. David A., 21:20;
  9. Ian de B., 21:46.

D-Grade:

  1. Brendan P., 22:13,
  2. Helen B., 22:18;
  3. Rod A., 22:33;
  4. Kym F., 22:44.

Following the time trial, the A-Graders got in some practice for the upcoming team time trials next week in Ballarat. The young guns formed a group of three and set out to hunt down the masters. Averaging well over 40km/hr they caught their prey in 2 laps and then talked tactics while the veterans continued for a 3rd.

Six B-Graders raced for three laps and essentially did turns averaging 36km/hr. In the sprint that ensued Justen and Brett crossed in a photo finish after Tim Lee took a journey to the wrong side to get out of the wind. Chris, Ross and Wayne rounded out a solid ride in 56:54.

C-Grade also held a three lap scratch race with a few tired time trialists opting to listen to the football instead of riding. Rob Monk powered home over Michael, Vic, Glenn and Dave in a time of 1:04:39.

The D-Graders enjoyed another 22km and Brendan continued his time trial form to take 1st in 46:01 ahead of Kym and Rod.

Well done everyone, there is no racing next week because of the team time trials.

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