21/10/2006
By Rob Monk
The A graders left the B grade bunch as planned at the end of the second lap and Luke Hanley decided to stretch his legs up the hills. James Henry and Dave Salton chased him down the first three times he attacked but the fourth time Dave found the going too tough. James locked onto Luke’s wheel for the run to the line but Luke had plenty left in the tank and decided a solid 2km individual pursuit would be the best way to finish the race. He snaked all over the road which reduces the drafting effect as he tried to shake James from his wheel. With 500 meters to go the elastic broke and Luke rode away from James for a well deserved win. Dave Salton came in third.
In B grade visiting St.Kilda CC member Graeme Coull looked strong from the start and had no trouble keeping up with Chris Beales as he charged up the hills. The bunch stayed together for most of the race as Mark Oakley-Brown and Coull were strong enough to reel in the attacks of Beales. Thommo sat on waiting for the bunch sprint that usually eventuates on this course. Thommo looked well positioned in the sprint but Coull was too quick and took out the race in strong fashion. Thommo was second and Chris Beales finished third.
The C graders rode together for the first of three laps but the second time up the picnic point hill saw the end of Dave Axford. Dave Baillie looked too strong on the hills but waited for Graeme Patrick and Steffi Hofer each time so he could attack on the flat and make them work even harder. Graeme repeatedly chased Dave down with Steffi sitting on his wheel. At the end of the race this work proved the undoing of Greame. He cramped in the sprint to the line and Steffi “blew his doors off”. Her recent training on the velodrome has certainly added some kick to her sprint and she took out a strong win.
In D grade Jo Hanley made it 2 from 2 for the Hanley family. She was too strong on the hills for Pam Benstead, Tammy Patrick and Cy Monk.
