21/01/2007
Warragul Cycling Club staged it first road race of 2007 on Sunday morning on the new Velodrome Criterium Circuit. A criterium consists of a course usually between 1 and 2 km in length. In this case the course involved two hot-dog or U turns with 600 meters of clear wide road between them.
A and B grade were combined and the bunch of 8 riders took it in turns to battle into the strong westerly wind on the way back towards Warragul. Brett Rollinson and Geoff Thomson attempted to break away but Mark Oakley Brown, Clint Hick and Paul Yeatman were keen to chase down any moves off the front. Thommo’s superior cornering skills meant he was able to gap riders coming out of the hot dog turns and this had the effect of spreading out the bunch and making the riders at the back have to accelerate hard out of the corners just to stay in touch.
With one lap to go the bunch was still together. Rob Monk tried a surprise attack at the bell and gained a quick advantage as riders waited for someone to start the chase. Eventually Col Brown took up the chase but coming out of the top turn Brett Rollinson sprinted from the bunch in solo pursuit. He caught the now exhausted Monk in the back straight and put his head down and headed for home. Mark Oakley Brown and Col Brown led the chase with Thommo biding his time in third wheel. Around the last corner Brett still held a sizable lead but Thommo cornered like he was on rails and came after him. He passed the tiring Brett 100 metres from the line and took out the win. Brett fought on well to get second with Mark in third and Col Brown in fourth spot.
C and D grade combined and Karen Munro was given two laps on the boys who would have to pass here twice to win the race. Steve Mugeridge, Callun Barker and Geoff Gatt set a solid pace from the start and Karen looked to be in trouble but gentleman Dave Axford dropped back and worked with Karen to ensure Steve and Gatty only took one and a half laps out of her. Karen first, Geoff Gatt second, Steve third, Dave fourth.
Club members are reminded that track racing is on at the Velodrome every Thursday night starting at 7pm. We have had reasonable numbers of riders attending the track racing and the club has a range of track bikes for members to use. Many members are novices at track racing and all fitness and skill levels are catered for.
The bush Criterium series continues starting at the Velodrome every Sunday morning at 10.30.
