28/02/2004
Warragul Cycling Club Race Director Staf Duncan was left stunned as an infallible C-grade stormed home 20 seconds clear of the chasing A and B grade field, despite ruthlessly shortening their handicap start for Saturday’s race. In conditions described as ‘beautiful’ – before the strong south-westerly wind reared its head along the back straight – 49 riders turned out to Cloverlea in what was being promised as ‘an end to C grade handicap domination’ over four 11km laps of Gainsborough.
D grade were first away with a thirteen minute head start on the scratch riders. The group of eleven riders, led by visiting Coburg Cycling Club (and former local) rider Kylie Richards, drove the pace early and capitalized on the precious still conditions before the wind kicked in to cross their first lap in 19.09. However, the pace was too strong too early for Bruce Mason, Brendan Pridmore and new rider Roger Matheson who lost touch with their grade before the first lap had been completed.
Also taking full advantage of the remaining minutes of windless conditions were C grade, starting six minutes later and only seven minutes ahead of the scratch riders. A whopping three and a half minutes of precious head-start time had been slashed since the last handicap race, which had also been won by C grade. The group was quiet after a warning from the A grade scratch markers that they’d be meeting again very shortly. But in typical C grade fashion, all twelve riders were immediately strung out in single file as Rob Monk initiated the early and unsustainable sprint to the first corner. Allowing for a quick recovery breath, the group settled into turns of equal load and completed their first lap in a very fast time of 17.36.
Following C grade five minutes later were the 14-strong B grade field, including Luke McDonough and Paul Logan also from Coburg, and a return to racing by Jason Kruger. Thomas Sandner immediately shifted into overdrive, dragging the field around in an extraordinary first lap time of 16.47 and causing Ross Henry and Paul Yeatman to lose touch with the bunch. Justen O’Connor continued his run of bad luck in handicap events, retiring mid-way through the first lap with a mechanical.
Departing at the same time as B grade and with only three laps to complete were Glenda de Blauw, Loretta Mackay, Ian de Bruyne and son David. Cruising along with Ian providing a wind break for everyone, they completed their first lap in 24.05.
The A grade field (or scratch markers) departed two minutes behind B grade and consisted of eight riders, including B grade summer series champ Pete Finlayson. Confident today was the day for an A grade win, the eight formed a sharp team trial unit, flawlessly rotating riders off the front of the pack, and completing their first lap in a quick 16.06.
The second lap greeted the entire field with a brisk south-westerly which grew stronger as the race progressed. This caused an un-assisting cross/head wind along the back straight which markedly reduced lap times for all groups.
By the end of the second lap, a core group of D grade riders, consisting of returning racer Helmut Korab, Dave Axford, Daniel de Blauw, and Bill Frew who was happily following instructions from fifth rider and anchor Kylie Richards. Behind them, a string of D grade riders could be seen slowly being picked up by the C grade train. C grade remained working hard together with only Simon Baxter admitting the pace hurt too much to stay in touch.
Shortly after completing lap two, A grade found the B grade field in its sights, which had also lost Chris Beales from the Sandner-driven bunch. The converging of the two fields would have expected a stronger powerhouse chase unit, but the opposite was true as they struggled to re-organize themselves and keep up their momentum. The change of pace proved to be a costly mistake.
Meanwhile, junior David de Bruyne retired early while father Ian remained with Loretta and Glenda, driving their pace despite a tiring of legs into the wind.
At the start of the final lap C grade could see no sign of a chasing pack behind them despite tiring and losing Terry Kelly and Michael Pridmore. They continued on to catch the feisty five D grade riders who converged to work together into the wind. However, emerging from the horizon a chasing pack could be made out and were gaining fast. Decisive action needed to be taken to ensure the lead bunch of C and D grade riders made it home before the A and B pack (and their sprinters). Trev Rollinson and Mike Brown took the initiative and shifted into gear, driving the pace up a couple of notches as the pack rolled along Hazeldean Road. Only Glenn Fisher, Allan Beveridge, Vic Spunner, Monique Hanley and Dean Logan were able to stay with the surge, and together the seven turned into the finishing straight content the gap couldn’t be breached.
A misleading call on the progression of the chase pack forced an early sprint for the line. With the cross wind providing limited shelter opportunities, Allan Beveridge was forced to ride off the front with only the slight downhill to assist. Glenn Fisher allowed Monique Hanley a nice run at the finish, but the move was too late and Allan had a half-wheel length to take the win over Monique, who was followed by a strong Dean Logan. Completing the placings were Glenn Fisher, Mike Brown, Vic Spunner and Trev Rollinson. Twenty seconds later the main bunch was brought home by Shane Styles, Geoff Thomson and Pete Finlayson.
Next weeks racing returns to Cloverlea for another handicap. An unbackable C grade handicap start time is assured.
