28/10/2006
By Rob Monk
Warragul Cycling Club members assembled at a wind swept and cold Darnum butter factory on Saturday for a pair’s time trial event. Race director Chris Beales was being creative again and the result was a closely fought contest and lung busting exertion for many.
In the pairs time trial race format riders of differing ability are matched up. The pair then ride a 16km time trial and the time of the slowest rider is what is recorded. This means the stronger rider has to take on a pace making and wind-breaking role while the slower rider has to hang on for dear life and ride right at the limit of their ability the whole time. Like a chain being only as strong as its weakest link, in the pairs time trail the pair is only as fast as the slowest rider.
Pairs were split up into two divisions. In the C and D grade division, Cy Monk and Gram Patrick took the honours. They completed the 16km in a time of 32’31”. In second place was Liz Watson and Callam Barker (35’04”) and in third place mother and daughter combination, Tammy and Renee Patrick. (35’38”).
In the A and B division, Col Brown and Luke Hanley won in a time of 25’35”. In second place was Chris Beales on his new bike paired with Tim Lee (26’10”) and in third place was Dave Baillie and James Henry (26’ 44”). Then followed Jason Kruger and Ross Henry (26’15) and in fifth place was threesome Paul Yeatman, Clint Hick and Rob Monk (27’05”). Clint and Paul don’t want to be paired with Rob the next time a combined time trial is on the books.
After the time trial a 3 lap scratch race was held. In A grade Luke Hanley proved too strong for James Henry and Jason Kruger. James started the real racing on the third and final lap by attacking after going past the Darnum footy ground. He charged along the false flat and only Luke was able to get over to him. Luke immediately counter attacked and James was now in trouble. The gap opened and Luke was able to hold the small advantage all the way to the finish.
The B grade field started with eight riders but the exertions of the earlier time trial soon took effect and only 4 riders finished. Chris Beales was keen to test out his new bike on the hills and the rapidly improving Clint Hick was eager to go with him on these moves. At the end of the second lap they had the whole field strung out. Ross Henry tried valiantly to bridge over to Chris and Clint but never quite made it across. On the third time up the hill to the Darnum turn off Chris managed to shake Clint off. At the finish Chris won by 30 seconds from Clint with Ross a further 30 seconds back in third place and still in time trial mode Paul Yeatman came in fourth a minute later.
In D grade Graeme Patrick was the perfect husband and ensured that Tammy Patrick was able to stay in touch with the boys when she was gapped on the final time up the hill to Darnum. The finish was a close one but improving Junior rider Callam Barker won the uphill sprint from Noel Mason with Tammy a close third.
Next weeks race starts at Lillico Wines and will definitely finish with a wine or coffee there as well. Be there.
