Race 1 of 6 in the Bikeland Handicap Series

05/09/2009

Report by Rob Monk.  Also on the google site.

After a break from racing Warragul Cycling Club members were out in force for the first race of the Bikeland Handicap Series. Cool and windy conditions made for tough racing and Handicapper Shane Stiles allowed a few riders to slip under his guard but in the end he got it pretty close to right and the strongest rider won on the day.

First away was limit rider Renee Patrick with 21 minutes head start on scratch bunch. She would have to battle into the strong head wind along Parkers Rd on her own. Next away were Dave Axford, Cy Monk and new rider Matt Williamson. This trio worked well together and soon had Renee in their sights.

Karen Munro, Joe Patrick and Paul Kennedy were next away with 11 minutes on the scratch men. They would prove hard to catch as would the next bunch of Dave Bailey, Clint Hick and Pete Finlayson.

Finlayson did his usual trick of convincing the handicapper he had done no training only to comfortably lead his bunch and cling onto any groups that happened to catch him on the road.

Despite great form in training Jayman Prestidge was given four minutes start on the scratch men and when he was joined by the experienced duo of Col Brown and Brett Rollinson the job of the scratch bunch was going to prove very difficult. Jason Dastey also worked hard in this group.

On the chopping block were Rob Monk, Scott Keeble, Matt Kennelly, Steve Muggeridge and new rider Damien McKoldrick. They had 2 minutes on the scratch bunch made up of Geoff Thomson, Paul Yeatman, Callan Barker and Tristan Murat.

After one lap it appeared the handicapper had it just about right. The scratchies had taken time on each bunch. The out-markers were struggling into the strong head wind along Parkers Rd. It was clear that the four minute group were the strongest as Rollinson made sure that Prestidge and Brown pulled even, tight turns and kept Dastey attached to the bunch. Keeble did the same with the two minute bunch but they lost the services of Kennelly and Muggeridge after one lap meaning their pace would inevitably slow.

At the halfway mark a caffeine deprived Yeatman lost touch with the scratch bunch and was forced to have a day’s early time trial.

When Prestidge and company caught up with Finlayson’s group a working bunch of 6 riders mean those behind would struggle to catch.

Turning into the finishing straight this group caught Paul Kennedy and Joe Patrick. Jayman showed his strength by riding the others off his wheel at the finish taking out a strong win. Other placing are shown below.

Tristian Marut took fastest time ahead of Thommo.

We return to Cloverlea next week and some adjustments to the handicaps will make the race even closer.

Final Results Race 1

Bike Land Handicap Series – Race 1 @ Cloverlea
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