12/04/2008
Warragul Cycling Club members enjoyed nearly perfect Autumn conditions for Saturday’s scratch race at Lillico.
In A grade the pace was on from the start as Shane Stiles was keen to stretch his legs in the leadup to the big Mt Baw Baw race next week. His pace on lap one was too much for James Henry who was feeling flat from a big week training on the mountain. Shane managed to shake Geoff Thomson, Tim Lee and Paul Yeatman on lap 3 and a surprise attack at the beginning of Number One road saw the rapidly improving Brenton Jones lose his wheel. Shane rode the final 8 kilometres on his own to take out a strong win. Brenton took out second with Thommo in third and Paul Yeatman in forth.
B grade rode 3 quick laps. Dave Bailey forced the pace up the hills and Ross Henry was never afraid to go to the front and force the pace. On lap 2 Bailey attacked on the rise along Bloomfields road and Neil Walker was able to go with him. Ross and Rob Monk were gapped slightly and had to work hard to get back onto the wheel. The last lap was still ridden at a steady pace but Bailey was unable to shake his opposition on the hills. In the turn into the finishing straight Ross tried to surprise the field with by jumping for home early. Rob Monk chased the move down while Neil and Dave waited for the sprint. Bailey jumped for home first with Rob quickly onto his wheel. With three hundred meters to go Rob went for home and quickly gapped Bailey. Neil Walker had conserved his energy well though and managed to sprint past Rob within meters of the line to take out a strong win. Rob second, Dave third and Ross forth.
In C grade the young guns James Lalor and Jarred Jones battled out an epic sprint finish. James just triumphed with Jarred second and Tammy Patrick third. Cy Monk took out the D grade race.
Next week’s race is the Baw Baw Classic. Over 100 cyclists from all over the state will converge on Warragul this Saturday to ride to Jindivick, then Neerim South, Noojee and up the mountain. The last 6 km to the summit of Baw Baw are rated as one of the toughest climbs in the cycling world. Good luck to all competitors. Just finishing this race is a tremendous achievement.
