07/10/2005
Racing this week was at a windy shady creek. Twenty courageous cyclists ignored the cold, loved the rain and challenged the swooping magpies to complete 2 or 3 laps of the 17km Shady creek circuit.
A grade had the biggest field of the day. Ten riders started but according to Thomas the tank engine Sandner, only himself, Jason Kruger and Chris Beales were prepared to go to the front to do any of the work. The bunch completed the first lap together with the only exception being Tim Lee who is still struggling after tackling the Pyranean stages of this year’s tour de France. Any form that Tim had he left in France. He kept B grade company for most of their race. Few attacks or breakaways were attempted. James Henry seemed keen to allow Trent Brown and Justin O’Conner to roll off the front of the bunch near the end of Sthurs Rd. It was suggested later that this was the only way to get them to do a turn. Alas, Thomas would have none of that and would drag the rest back up to them each time. In the sprint the strong cross wind meant the centre of the road was the best place to be. Thomas was happy to lead them out, and locked onto the centre white line he patiently waited to make his final move. The “full gas” sprint started only 200meters from the line and Thomas had the right gear and the legs to hold off a fast finishing Geoff Thomson. Thommo finds it hard to wind up the 53 -11 on the uphill Shady Creek finish if the leaders keep the sprint short. James Henry finished 3rd. Jason Kruger showed that last weeks bunch sprint win was an aberration of form and finished 4th.
B grade consisted mainly of regular C graders who have been promoted. Pete Bailey, the only real B-Grader left in the bunch did more work than the others in the early laps but didn’t manage to shake any of the “hangers on” from his wheel. It was only on the 3rd time up the Shady Creek climb that noted descender and flat time trialist Paul Yeatman found the going too tough. Bailey launched a short attack at the top of the Shady Creek hill to minimise the swooping opportunities of the resident magpie but this also removed Micheal Pridmore from the bunch. That left Bailey, Mark Oakley Brown, Col Brown and Rob Monk to ride around to the finish. Rob chose to lead out the sprint from the middle of the road as the strong cross wind would make it difficult for those coming up the inside. Pete Bailey was worried about being boxed in so he jumped with 250 meters to go. Rob managed to cover this move and lock onto his wheel. Rob just got over Bailey on the line to take out a rare win in B grade. Col Brown battled on for 3rd and Mark Oakly Brown continues in his quest to find some leg speed for the bunch finishes.
C grade consisted of 3 riders. Travis Parker, who had already completed a major training ride in the morning (his excuse), found the going too tough so Ross Henry and new rider Mathew Kennelly shared the turns for two laps then negotiated a sprint to the line. The wily veteran Ross demonstrated how to, ever so slightly, ride into the line of the other guy in a sprint until he stops pedalling. Ross took out the race with Mat in second.
D grade was won by Roger Bell holding off Brendan Pidmore. Lawrence Maskill finished in 3rd spot. Next weeks race is a handicap at Cloverlea.
