23/02/2008
This Saturday’s road race was held at the Darnum Circuit. A small A grade field remained together until the final run down Sthurs Road. Here the young guns James Henry and Kane Walker broke away from Tim Lee and Geoff Thomson. They staged an epic run up the final hill to the finish line with both riders looking at times like they would break the other. Three judges and the four spectators on the line could not separate the two riders. A dead heat was the official results. Thommo finished third and Tim rode well to finish fourth.
The B grade bunch had a lively race and they were lapping quicker than A grade on the first 3 of 5 circuits. Paul Yeatman looked strong while attacking but also seemed in trouble at various times in the race. Daryl Anderson is getting fitter each week and some of his surges off the front had the peloton strung out. The most promising move of the race occurred on lap 4 when Yeatman attacked going up to the Darnum Footy ground. He was eventually caught but Daryl countered strait away and the field split. Callan Barker went with him and Ross Henry chased hard across the gap. This left Dave Bailey, Rob Monk, Neil Walker and Paul Yeatman watching 3 riders heading into the distance. Dave put in a big chase as did Neil but the gap was still significant. Rob then jumped over the gap making a group of four up the road. Yeatman had now recovered enough to bring the bunch back together by the turn into Sthurs Road. The final lap was a precession as riders tried to recover for the sprint. Ross Henry tried a sneaky move off the front into the headwind along Sthurs Road before the final bend. He could not get far as Callan and Dave dragged him back. Rob Monk and Paul Yeatman battled out the uphill sprint to the line. Rob did get in front for a few meters but Paul clicked down a couple of gears and powered to the line for another strong win.
In C grade new comer Tristan Marut did a good job of losing his race competitors. James Lalor, Paul Kennedy and Dave Axford stayed with the youngster for the first two laps but a good attack near the Darnum footy ground saw Dave and James lose contact. On the run to the line Paul was also gapped and Tristan went on to win comfortably.
Next weekend is a busy one. Friday night is the final night of the track carnival. Racing starts at 7.00pm and Saturday is a handicap race at Cloverlea.
