Weekend Warragul Wheel Times

05/02/2005

Another weekend of superb cycling action occurred around Warragul, with the final of the Warragul summer criterium series on Saturday and the recreational ‘Ride It’ group bunch ride on the Sunday.

A total of 21 ‘Ride It’ Warragul Cycling Club members set off for from the Warragul Velodrome on Sunday morning for a ride to Drouin in perfect riding conditions. The group broke into an intermediate and novice section for the ride. Despite some steep hills the two groups enjoyed the ride.

The novice group took a northerly route via Brandy Creek Rd , while the intermediate group headed out north east via Lillico. Both groups joined together for a coffee break in Drouin, before the return to Warragul. There will be a ride from the velodrome on Saturday at 2pm followed by a Sunday ride on February 20.

The summer Warragul Criterium racing series was wrapped up on the weekend, with roads drying just in time on Saturday for some fast and eventful street racing. Twenty nine cyclists enjoyed the Bourke Street course hit-out despite a wet morning which dissuaded many more from joining the lung challenge that criterium racing provides.

D grade consisted of the smallest field of the day, with Brendan Pridmore joining Geoff Gatt, Helmut Korab, Latrobe Valley rider Wayne Tunks and Danielle Bennett. With 30 minutes of careening around the course together, the toll became too much for Danielle as she tired towards the finish. Brendan Pridmore also lost touch at the bell lap, leaving three to contest the podium. In a bunch finish, Geoff rolled to the line first and ahead of Wayne and Helmut.

C grade were happy to welcome Liam Donnelly and Lex Townley to their ranks as recent promotions to B grade damaged bunch numbers. Steadily clocking five minutes laps, the pack were also content to remain together for most of the race, with surges on the hill thanks to Paul Yeatman. Dave Axford was a casualty of the pace, losing touch with only two laps to go. The remaining group seemed set for another bunch finish, until Yeatman unleashed his leg spinning power on the final corner, accelerating from the pack and coming home a clear winner. The following bunch was led by Lex Townley and Michael Pridmore.

The B grade field began their 45 minute race at a steady tempo, with the only increase in heart rates occurring on the King Street hill thanks to Pete Bailey’s consistent and relentless attacking. By mid-race the legs had been softened enough to allow a small break to ride clear of the bunch, consisting of James Henry and Brett Rollinson, joined later by Luke Hanley. The threesome remained clear for a couple of laps, costing Geoff Thomson to lose touch of the chase bunch behind. The bunch regrouped and recouped until the bell lap where Trent Brown and Tim Lee found themselves riding clear from King Street . The two capitalised on the break, working together on the back straight. But with the chase on from behind, the duo were finally caught on the finishing Bourke Street straight and were swamped by a sprinting pack. In form rider Brett Rollinson took the win over James Henry, with Pete Bailey finishing third.

The largest field of the day was seen in A grade, a very rare sight. Ten riders set out on cruise control, allowing for isolated breaks from both Jason Hilder and Matty Malacarne. The chase caused the group to splinter, but breaks out the front continued, with Gerrard Donnelly, Scott Keeble and Jason Kruger also amongst the action. With two laps to go an attack launched by Matt Malacarne, Jason Kruger and Gerrard Donnelly found themselves clear in a timely manner. The trio put distance into the chase group, led by Scott Keeble and youngster Steve Sandner. The chase ran out of finishing straight, and Matt Malacarne was able to secure a rare A grade victory and an indication of a return to form. He was followed by Jason and Gerrard.

Next week’s racing will return to Lillico for a handicap race, perfect for all riding abilities and fitness. The action commences at 2pm on Saturday.

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