12/12/2009
The final race of the Warragul Cycling Club Summer Criterium Series was run in near perfect conditions on Saturday.
A big field of combined A and B grade raced strongly with frequent attacks from Shane Stiles and visiting rider Chris Joustra keeping everyone on their toes.
Two riders received outside assistance by way of a passing car (grrr). Shane Stiles was a mad man, attacking up with hill almost without fair and plenty of attacks also went down the back straight and just after the corner up the home straight. Promoted rider Simon Baxter looked like he was doing it easy. Promoted riders, Rob Monk and James Lalor did well in the early stages.
James Lalor, Simon Baxter and Jayman Prestidge kept the pace high by chasing down the breaks. The pace soon saw Trev Rollinson and James Lalor off the back.
Rob Monk had a mechanical mishap with his lungs and took a lap out after 40 minutes. This still left 11 riders in the lead group when the bell went.
Paul Yeatman, who at times had looked to be struggling, established a handy lead rounding the final bend. Stiles set out after him and no-one could hold his wheel. Stiles flew by Yeatman. Thommo chased hard into the headwind but Stiles had a good gap. Brett Rollinson came off Thommo’s wheel to get second spot. Thommo took third, Then followed Rob Monk, Tristan Marut and Matt Kennelly. Matt and Tristan were on the lead lap so they took fourth and fifth.
Matt Kennely, who had raced in C grade early in the series was now an established A grade performer. He also too out the series on a countback from Cy Monk.
In the other race of the day Cy Monk, and Greg Horbowicz were no match for Dave Bailey. Dave and Cy shook Greg on lap 3
and Cy lasted another 2 laps before Dave soloed to win. Cyrus Monk
pulled out thinking he’d garnered first place in the series, but a count
back saw Matt Kennelly take out the series. James Lalor came took
out the third position.
A grade round corner number 3 lead by Stiles and Baxter
Pics Courtesy of Angela Coles
Report from the Webmaster.
What a crazy race – at least two attacks per lap and an attack on the hill all but one lap. Argh. Spent much of the race hanging onto the wheel in front with desperation. Off the front by 50 mins on the final corner and did ok in the sprint (placed nowhere as per usual though).
