20/11/2004
Against the backdrop of green fields and gum trees the recreational Ride-It group headed off from Shady Creek for the beautiful decent into Yarragon on Saturday. The temperature was perfect and so was the coffee. Whilst they were rolling towards Shady Creek, 30 cyclists were rolling in a much different manner as they contested the second last race of the series.
The lines between A and B grade were blurred on the weekend and it was left to Jason Kruger to drive the bunch. Steve Sandner on his new steed along with James Henry jumped up to try and fill the gap left by regular pace setter Thomas Sandner who was doing corner marshal duties. Without a willingness to share the load the group of five were content to clock steady 30.5 minute laps.
Meanwhile B-Grade were working well together and headed by the strengthening Tim Lee charged around in under 29 minutes catching the A-Bunch on the climb shortly after the first lap. After bumping into A-Grade a second time on lap two the group decided to pass them on the final lap. Dipping his toe in the B-Grade water, C-Grade season winner Trent Brown determined the pace was too hot (for now) and lost contact.
Ross Henry and Steve Twining found their legs in the final lap and softened the bunch with some minor attacks prior to the finish. Tim who had spent his cookies chasing A-Grade went too early in the sprint and faded for third while Pete Bailey had to make way for Justen O’Connor who took out the win in a time of 1:29:15.
A-Grade crossed shortly after with Steve Sandner producing his kicking final sprint to claim first ahead of Pete Finlayson, James, Jason and Thommo in a time of 1:30:00.
C-Grade rode with an intact bunch for the race lapping around the 31 minute mark. With the Doc in recent form, Rob Monk doing the early morning training and Alan Beveridge getting stronger the race was wide open. The final sprint came down to a battle between Rob and Paul with Rob unable to spin his legs fast enough to get over the line. Paul, Rob, Doc, Alan, Daniel De Blauw, Roger Bell and Michael Pridmore filled the final placings.
With the biggest bunch of the day belonging to D-Grade, it was a real family affair with the Jones’s welcomed back to racing, the Atkinson’s turning up in force and the Pridmore’s rounding off the family atmosphere.
A most enjoyable ride was experienced as they rolled around their first lap under glorious skies providing fitness and fresh air to all.
On the final lap, S. Beveridge decided to turn up the heat just a little and was able to pull away to win in a total time of 78:00:00 for the two lap race. Geoff Gatt and Helmut Korab finished shortly after to round out the top three.
Thanks to Graeme Fricke (soon to be commissaire), Thomas Sandner, Jake de Blauw, Karin Atkinson and Charles Howlett for their help in hosting the race. Whilst on Sunday the usual faces put in a fantastic effort to get the velodrome looking great.
