29/05/2004
An early race attack left unchecked by the A grade field enabled Thomas Sandner to ride solo for three and a half laps, winning by a convincing 1’’11 at Warragul Cycling Club’s scratch racing at Lillico on Saturday. Bunch sprints were featured in the remaining grades, where a strong powerful surge was needed to dominate the sharp uphill finish. The Club saw thirty seven cyclists take to the 11km circuit, which was largely affected by a strong westerly across the entire course. With only one round now remaining until the end of the Autumn points season, calculated points scoring and astute tactics were required to defend ladder positions or close the gap, making way for an exciting finish to the season.
With D grade points table lead being shared by Dave Axford and Bill Frew, all eyes were on the tussle between the two for the trophy claim. Pre race, Bill Frew warned Axford that he would be sitting on his wheel all race, to which Axford replied, ‘as long you stay there at the finish line I don’t care!’ The D grade field continued to welcome the largest race bunch of the day, with thirteen cyclists hitting the road. Pace from their first lap was slower as they waited for Wayne Tunks after dropping his pump, but improved on the second, costing Kym Spunner, Glenda Pridmore and Brendan Pridmore to lose touch with the bunch. Damien Brown led the field at the final bell, opting to attack the bunch as they recovered from the two climbs on Lillico Road. Vic Spunner and Bill Frew went with the surge, but Dave Axford rallied the troups to chase them down, along with Roger Bell and Trent Brown. The field were together on the final turn into Lillico Road, losing Roger Bell on the first climb before Damien attacked again on the second, leaving no time to chase before the finish. He won convincingly ahead of Trent Brown and Vic Spunner. Dave Axford managed to gain one point ahead of Bill Frew, paving the way for an exciting final round. Emma Beveridge was the first female home, arriving a few minutes behind the field.
The challenge in C grade between Glenn Fisher, Rob Monk and Luke Hanley was to gain valuable points over four laps of Lillico. For most of the race, the field were content to remain together, despite Alan Beveridge’s quips to try to stir up proceedings. Rob Monk drove the pace hard at the start of the final lap, but a solo run for the line in the strong wind was a big ask, and the field slowly brought him back into line. At the final corner, Alan Beveridge attacked, but surprised wheel-hugger Steve Hall behind him when he suddenly slowed on the hill. Steve had to wait for the field to pass before he could manoeuvre past Alan, denying him a shot at victory. Strezlecki part-time resident Dean Logan emerged at the right time to power over the second hill and hang on for victory. He was clear of Luke Hanley and Michael Pridmore.
A large B grade field, including Dean MacIntosh from Latrobe Valley, kept the pace high on the first lap, straining Justen O’Connor before he could warm up properly. Chris Beales instigated an early attack past the drive-in on lap 2, with Charles Howlett following behind. But the pack worked together to bridge the gap by Bloomfields Road, where Beales reversed positions, retiring at the end of lap 2 from feeling poor. A few surges were noted throughout the race, including Wayne Chester’s solo attack at the start of the bell lap, until he turned the corner into Copelands Road and the strong cross wind, and realised he’d be much better off with the rest of the bunch. Steve Sandner led the field into the first of the final climbs on Lillico Road, followed by Wayne Chester. But it was a fresher Charles Howlett who emerged from the protection of the pack to race home and claim victory, ahead of newly promoted rider Mike Brown and Wayne Chester.
Despite only a small bunch in A grade, the field were kept on edge by the toey Thomas Sandner, who attacked on the slow Bloomfield Road rise on the first and second laps. His second attempt was more successful, as the doubtful field allowed his breakaway to go unchecked, expecting him to tire later in the race. By completion of the second lap, he had established 18 seconds on the field, which extended to 43 seconds by the third, and over one minute by the fourth. Geoff Thomson, having a quiet day lost touch with the main bunch, completing his race with the B grade bunch following behind. Thomas finally crossed one minute, eleven seconds ahead of the field, followed by Matt Malacarne and Scott Keeble.
The Club would like to thank Jake deBlauw and John Coffey for their assistance with road marshalling and organisation during Saturday’s race.
Warragul is hosting a range of exciting road racing in the coming weeks: next weeks racing is the Warragul Cycling Club’s Road Championship, located at Picnic Point from 2pm; June 14th will be hosting the final stage of the Gippsland Three Day Tour at Shady Creek; and on June 19th a club combine between Caulfield Carnegie and Warragul will be staged at Picnic Point where final placings will be decided in the points table.
