04/04/2009
Warragul Cycling Club members assembled at a breezy Cloverlea on Saturday afternoon for a handicap event.
First to head up the road were the B grade bunch comprising Rob Monk, Neil Walker, Simon Baxter, James Lalor and Aaron White. They would have a 7 minute break on the scratch bunch and 44km to travel.
Next away were the scratch boys, Thomas Sandner, Geoff Thomson, Callan Barker and Paul Yeatman.
Starting next 1 minute behind scratch but only doing 3 laps was Renee Patrick.
Starting 3 minutes behind scratch also completing just four laps was Cy Monk, Joe Patrick and Tammy Patrick.
In the first lap the B grade team suffered some early losses. First to go was James Lalor who found the pace a little tough, then Aaron White decided to wait for James after doing some hard work on the front into the strong head wind along Parkers Road. This left just Neil, Rob and Simon to share the work. This trio teamed well and maintained a constant speed for the first three laps. They kept the pressure on and it was clear that they would not be caught from behind.
The scratch bunch also lost Paul Yeatman at the end of lap 2 with Thomas Sandner, Callan and Thommo doing most of the work.
The D graders were proving hard to catch. Joe, Cy and Tammy still had a 3 minute lead passing the judge for the final time. Rob, Neil and Simon kept the turns rolling and had the D grades in sight at the top of Parkers Road and had caught them just as they turned into the finishing straight.
Cy Monk decided to get on the front of the B grade bunch, then Joe Patrick took over and led out the sprint. These junior riders are improving each week and are certainly keen to mix it up with the B graders at the end of the race.
With 250 meters to go Rob Monk took over at the front and sprinted for home. Simon Baxter followed the move but was unable to sprint over the top of Rob. Rob Monk first, Simon Baxter second and Neil Walker came in third. Then followed Cy Monk and Tammy Patrick. The A graders sprinted in 1 minute 40 seconds later with Callan Barker recording the fastest time of the day.
