28/08/2010
Handicapper Shane Stiles seems to have a soft spot for the junior riders as he gave them a mark that would make it nearly impossible for the back makers to catch them. True to form the trio of young guns broke free from their group and just hung on to take the first three placings. The rest of the riders were forced to just chase in vain.
First away were Renee Patrick and Andew De-Bona. They had 21 minutes start on scratch.
Next away was the winning bunch consisting of first time racers Ray York and Ben Stein. Joining the novices was veteran Wayne Tunks who’s had more bike races than junior riders Cy Monk, Jayden Manintveld and Rupert Hudd Bailey have had hot dinners. This group had 14 minutes start on scratch and were also supposed to have Trudi Gallagher with them but she missed the start time so had to chase them on her own.
The 10 minute group consisted of Zvonko Maric, Clint Wilson, Grant Neilsen, Matt Nankervis and Michael Blackwood. These guys were evenly matched and worked well together and quickly were eating into the four minute gap between them and the young fellows up the road. They actually lost no time to the next group on the first of their three laps.
With 8 minutes on scratch the experienced group of Simon Baxter, Danny Dilger, Justin Cox, Dave Baillie, Paul Kennedy and Joe Patrick looked a good chance of winning. Joe and Simon were strong but the group made up little time on the 10 minute group on lap one. After two laps they had only made up 34 seconds of the two minute gap.
The 6 minute bunch consisted of Justin Prestidge, Jayman Prestidge, Matt Kennelly and Pete Finlayson. Jayman was in trouble after 3 km of a 33 km group and was dropped after less than half a lap. Justin, Pete and Matt rode well to make up time on the 8 minute bunch.
The chopping block consisted of Rob Monk and Scott Keeble.
They had 4 minutes on scratch and Shane Stiles gave himself 2 minutes start to chase them down. Scratch and chopping block had little hope as the numbers up the road took their toll. Stiles rode like a man possessed on the final lap and passed a few stragglers on the way home and at the finish he had made up 12 of the 14 minutes that the young fellows were given.
The pivotal move of the race happened within the 14 minute group on the run up to the top corner on lap two. Jayden Manintveld put the pressure on and only Cy Monk and Rupert Hudd Baillie were able to go with him. Ray York and Wayne Tunks were gapped and the young fellows discussed whether to wait or press on without them. Ultimately their decision to press on as a threesome proved the winning move. They rolled even turns and maintained their advanage.
The 10 minute bunch were closing on them on the final time up Parker’s road and at the finish they were less than 20 seconds behind.
Jayden took off with 300 meters to go and Cy tried hard to bridge across to him. Jayden just held on for the win. Cy took second with Rupert holding off a fast finishing Zvonko Maric to take out third. Then followed Grant Neilsen, Trudi Gallagher. Simon Baxter was next home leading Pete Finlayson from the 8 minute group.
Next week the handicap series moves to Shady Creek where the hill will make it tougher for the outmakers to stay away from the Stiles led back markers.
