18/11/2006
Warragul Cycling Club members raced around the Telegraph Rd Circuit at Drouin West for the first time on Saturday. The course drew praise from those riders who like the hill climbs and grudging respect from those that prefer it flat.
In A grade only Wayne Chester, Jason Kruger and B Grade championship leader Chris Beales were prepared to take on the in-form James Henry. The quartet stayed together for the first 2 laps but James put the pressure on at the start of Old Telegraph Rd the third time up and managed to gain a winning break. The others worked together but James was too strong and won by over a minute from Wayne, Jason and Chris.
B-grade was popular with 12 riders taking on three laps of the circuit. With potential A graders, Geoff Thomson, Pete Finlayson and Thomas Sandner in the field it was always going to be a tough race for many. The first lap was ridden at a controlled pace after a gentleman’s agreement negotiated (demanded) by the ultimate “gentleman”, race starter, Staff Duncan. As soon as the bunch passed Staff to end the first lap, all agreements ceased and Clint Hick took off up the Picnic Point Hill like a man possessed. First to be shelled from the peleton was Dave Bailey. After another 100 meters Matt Kennelly lost contact. Next to find the pace too hot was Paul Yeatman and then Rob Monk. Luckily for Rob, Paul hammered down the decent to the Robin Hood Hotel and dragged the pair back onto the bunch. For Matt and Dave the race was over. Hick again picked up the pace at the start of Old Telegraph Rd and this acceleration saw the end of Rob Monk. Paul Yeatman and Steve Twining were also dropped but Yeatman refused to give up. He chased hard on the descent from the Jindi Cheese factory and managed to get himself and Steve back onto the bunch along the Labertouche flats. The third lap saw Paul and Steve again lose contact but this time there was no coming back. Thommo was the strongest on the final climb to the Jindi Cheese Factory but no-one was feeling good enough to break away. In the sprint Thomas Sandner claimed a lack of water caused him to cramp otherwise he would have “smashed them”. As it turned out Thommo did blow them away. He won the sprint easily with Pete Finlayson in second and Clint Hick in third.
A small C grade field completed 2 laps. Neil Walker looked the man to beat from the start but Steve Muggeridge certainly didn’t let him have it all his own way. Steffi Hoffer also refused to let the boys break away. The field was together for the first lap but Paul Kennedy just lost contact over the top of Picnic Point and Brian Munro took a wrong turn and headed for Jindivick. In the final sprint Neil led out from 400 meters and Steve looked to be in perfect position to sprint past him on the line. Unfortunately for Steve a cramp with 30 meters to go ended his well timed sprint. Steffi finished in third place.
The D graders also raced 2 laps which was one too many for Liz Watson. Callan Barker, Karen Munro and Noel Mason worked well together and looked set for a 3 way sprint. This was until Karen decided that a road sign was the finish line and sprinted for home about 400 meters too soon. Callan’s young legs proved too quick for Noel’s young legs and he took out a hard fought win.
Next weeks race has been moved to Darnum. It is Staff Duncan’s final race as official starter and handicapper and we will also be racing for the Tim McArdle trophy. All club members should turn out to make this a huge end to the season. A BBQ will be held at the clubrooms after the race.
