22/11/2003
Last week’s thirty-something temperatures and blasting hot northerly was a stark contrast to the cool and damp conditions served up for the start of the Burke St criteriums on Saturday. A little rain during the warm up put some doubt in the rider’s minds, with concerns about the state of the corners and the condition of their tyres.
A-Grade’s numbers had swollen with Team MGZT rider Glen Gibson (having already done a fast 100 plus kilometres in the morning) turning up to test the fresh legs. Paul Rowse, Peter Finlayson, Paul Richardson and Gerard Donnelly added to the ranks while the usual stagers were there to do more than just make up the numbers.
The head wind on the back straight made attacks on the hill difficult to finish off, but it didn’t deter people from trying. Glen, John McKenzie and Thomas tested the waters on more than one occasion but the pack was not going to let anyone go.
After fifty minutes of pushing, John McKenzie decided to go hard for the last lap. He managed only to stretch the bunch but not break it, leaving him without enough juice in the tank to contest the sprint.
All eyes were on Glen for the finish but they forgot about Scotty Keeble who, with good position, capitalised on the tailwind to take out first place. Thommo experienced a return to form and relished the opportunity to wind up for the sprint. He was rewarded with second place while a tired Glen contested but only managed third.
Thomas, Paul Rowse, Gerrard, Paul Richards, Peter and John rounded out the finish.
B-Grade welcomed back a finely tuned athlete in Danny Dilger to its ranks. Steve Twining recovered from asthma and was ready to go as were Chris Beales, Steve Sandner and Justen O’Connor. Under Danny’s orders a steady pace for the first lap was called so he could get used to the wet corners and the bunch obeyed.
With the exception of a few easy laps the remaining 40 minutes was spent rolling slowly past the start finish followed by a Chris Beales sprint up the pinching little climb. Steve Sandner added to the fun by either covering or countering the consistent attacks. Justen was content to lie low and wait for the sprint. Steve Twining was stretched but showed some grit to stay in touch.
At one point Danny found himself way off the back and thought seriously about employing the old school ground short cut, but he dug deep and managed to rejoin again by the home straight.
The bell rang for the last lap and surprisingly no one attacked. While Danny was leading the bunch out Steve Sandner tightened the shoes, selected the gear and popped from four deep to blow the bunch away. Only Justen could see what he was up to and stuck to his wheel. While Justen was gaining ground he couldn’t do enough to get there and Steven won a well timed and closely fought sprint.
Chris Beales pushed through for third, Steve Twining fourth and Danny Dilger rounded it out.
C-Grade completed 40 minutes plus 1 lap and got off to steady start. The usual suspects were doing the work but like the other grades no one could get away.
Michael Pridmore, Rob Monk and Monique pushed hard but it was Glen Fisher who pushed it a little too hard into the corner at the end of the back straight. He found himself skating along the bitumen without wheels beneath him.
The pack managed to avoid getting tangled up and like Jan Ullrich waiting for Lance in the Tour de France, the group was held up so Fish could regain his bike and his composure.
Monique attacked and made a break with a couple of laps to go but it was never going to amount to anything and she sat up into the tough head wind. In the end it all came down to a sprint with Rob Monk leading them out and staying there for a solid victory. Michael Pridmore an honourable second crossed before Vic Spunner, Glen Fisher, Monique and A Beveridge.
A bunch of seven in D-Grade rode a steady race. With Kim Fisher already clearly leading the points, Rod Atkinson was had the aim of holding off a fast finishing Brendan Pridmore in the race for second place.
Lyndon Addison withdrew from the race while Glenda found the early pace a little tough. Emma Beveridge, Brendan and Daniel de Blauw were pushing solidly, as Fish and Rod worked the bunch hard.
After 35 minutes the last lap would predictably come down to another sprint. Kym accounted for the rest in crossing the line first, while Rod secured good points in second. Daniel de Blauw rode a great race for third and Brendan, Emma and Glenda finished off with a strong performance.
The riding is hotting up prior to Christmas and Next weeks scratch race is at Shady Creek.
