05/04/2008
Race numbers were up slightly despite the cool weather and threat of showers. Due to the recent high winds, the course was blocked by a fallen tree along the Darnum-Shady Creek Road. Many thanks to Wilf who marshalled the competitors around the tree.
A grade began with six starters at a fairly mild pace until the base of the hill on Nilma North Road. James Henry attacked from the bottom and got a break on the rest. The remaining five riders chased. Paul Yeatman got dropped quite early but managed to claw his way back to be with the bunch at the top of the climb. He then proceeded to chase James down the other side towards Sthurs Road. Halfway along the back straight Shane Stiles took the lead with some encouraging words and the bunch worked together to catch Henry. All then stayed together for the rest of lap one and a good section of lap two.
On lap two, Stiles moved up just before the entry into Sthurs Road and attacked coming out of the corner getting a decent break on the bunch. About 2km along the Darnum-Shady Creek Road, Henry attacked and bridged the gap to Stiles. Yeatman decided it would be good idea to chase the two riders down and his legs blew up. The remaining three riders, Geoff Thomson, Kane Walker and Brenton Jones easily rode past him and soon caught the break.
Walker attacked along the back straight and was left to hang out there on lap three, prior to the remaining four riders attacking up the hill on the final lap. Walker decided to save his legs for the Mallard Handicap run by the LCCC which he won off scratch the following day <insert link> and let the rest of the field ride away from him. Yeatman, being passed on the line at the end of lap three by two B graders starting a minute behind him, pulled out citing engine troubles.
The final lap saw Stiles finish the four laps in 1hr 50min and 55 seconds. He lead home Jones who was shortly followed by Thommo with Henry a little behind. Walker completed the distance a few minutes later.
B grade saw six starters also for their three laps. The first two laps were fairly controlled. Coming up to the start/finish line at the end of lap two, David Tennant attacked breaking up the bunch. Dave Ballie attempted to bridge the gap down the hill along the Nilma North Road and up the hill. He was soon joined by Kevin Murphy who bridged the gap while climbing the hill. This strung out the remaining riders consisting of Matt Kennelly, Tristan Munt and Rosss Henry, as they chased the break. The duo of ‘6am-ers’ from Melbourne were too fast for Ballie who was eventually caught and passed by Kennelly.
The finish saw Tennant and Murphy pass Yeatman of A grade on the line in a time of 1hr 29 min 49 secs. It is likely they will join A grade in their next race at Warragul. The remaining riders finished in strung out fashion. Third went to Kennelly, with the minor placings going to Ballie, Munt and Henry.
C grade saw the continuing good form of James Lalor take out the race in a time of 1hr 13 mins for two laps, from Jarryd Jones and Tammy Patrick.
