05/05/2012
By Rob Monk
A big field assembled for the combined A, B and C grade scratch race on the Darnum circuit on Saturday. A large field normally means breakaways are hard to establish and even harder to maintain. That did not stop the attempts. On each lap various riders were left to dangle off the front but none were allowed to get too far up the road.
In every break was the always aggressive Paul Yeatman and he was usually joined by Cy Monk. The only riders dropped from the main group were Matt Kennelly, Murray Campbell and Darren Williams.
Scott Keeble went with some breaks early but quickly decided they would not succeed. Twice he betrayed his breakaway companions leaving them hanging in the breeze as he rolled back to the chasers, saving himself for the finish.
Ross Henry, Rob Monk and Thommo were also seen in the breaks.
After 6 laps of repeated efforts to break away the race was still very much together at the bell. Shane Stiles had spent the day doing some steady state power riding but now decided to put in some surges to tire the field out. Yeatman tried to go with them all. Rob Monk and Pete Finlayson tried the last breakaway of the race along Sturs Rd but Cy Monk dragged the field back to them.
In the sprint Stiles was prominent at the front. Finlayson went early and riders lined up on his wheel. Stiles took over nearing the line but Scott, “Fresh legs win bike races” Keeble finished over the top of him to take the win. Stiles was second. Glen Marriot got as near to the front of the race as he had all day to take third. Then followed Pete Finlayson and Jack Walk.
D and E grade combined in a field of 10 riders. They remained together for the first 3 laps. Clint Wilson, Rachel Dawson and Paul Kennedy launched a number of attacks. John Davine saved his energy and bided his time. His major exertion was to sledge the hapless Kennedy who clearly had overestimated his ability with one attack to many. Davine made sure Kennedy knew how tired he looked.
Adele Whelan did plenty of work reeling in the attackers.
Nearing the end of lap 4 John Davine knew the time for talking was over and it was time to drop Kennedy. Davine put the pressure on nearing the start finish line. He broke away on the hill. Only Rachel Dawson and Andrew Jackson were able to go with him. The three of them started to work turns but Davine was calculating. He looked back and saw Andrew Gordon on the way across the gap. He instructed the other to wait so a working group of four could form. It was then “race over” for the rest.
Davine again attacked on the final hill on the bell lap. He gapped the others and rode for home.
Andrew Gordon continues to improve each week and he worked his way across the gap and nearly caught Davine near the line. Davine hung on for a well thought out victory. Gordon was second with Rachel Dawson third and Andrew Jackson in fourth. Michelle Scurr was fifth.
Kennedy used the excuse of a puncture of a fellow rider to hide the fact that Davine had destroyed him both mentally and physically.
Next week WCC riders head to the Phillip Island to race on the Grand Prix Circuit. Racing starts at 2.00pm. Registration must be completed before 1.45pm.
