04/01/2013
By Rob Monk
Criterium Racing made its long awaited return to Warragul on Friday night. A criterium is a bike race run on a short, less than 2 km, circuit. The race runs to time not distance. Criterium races suit riders who are good bike handlers and who can sprint and corner well.
The club has been lucky to be able to use a short circuit in the Chesterfield Estate for the 5 race series. Once houses are built the circuit will not be used again.
Six separate races for 51 riders were conducted despite temperatures edging over 40 degrees on Friday night.
In the first event the juniors raced 15 minutes plus 2 laps. The youngsters rode well gradually gaining confidence rounding the corners. With 3 laps to go Caelin Dastey launched the most promising attack of the night. He gapped the field and forced Mitch Jones to give chase. Mitch didn’t panic and closed the gap on the final lap and sprinted clear to the take the victory from Matt Dutneal with Caelin in third.
Next away were the women’s division one and two race. In the division one race Rachel Dawson lit it up after the controlled section with a 3 lap solo off the front. Only some dedicated chasing from Rachel Kimber and Lou Clarke saw her reeled back in. Dani Readi showed some strong form. The race was all together for the top girls by the bell and Mariah Dastey led for almost all the final lap. She rounded the last corner with a slim lead and just held off a fast finishing Rachel Kimber in a strong ride. Lou Clarke was third. In the division 2 section Adele Whelan was just too strong for Annie Pryjmak. Adele is promoted to Division 1 next week.
Division 4 was a birthday benefit for Terry “The Silver Fox” Kelly. Celebrating his birthday Kelly showed the lads he’d lost none of his cornering ability. He even went on the attack a couple of times. Steve Muggeridge and Trev Rollinson looked like they would be better for the run but showed signs that their form would return quickly. Series sponsor Peter O’Donnell supplied one of the highlights of the night when he moved up on the back straight on the bell lap. Such was his speed that he looked a likely winner. He just had to get around the bottom corner. Spectators all over the track held their breath. Could he make it at that speed? He made it around the corner but ventured onto the nature strip on the exit losing all speed and then had to bunny hop back onto the road to re-join the race. He’d gone from first to fourth on the second last corner. Kelly cornered as if on rails and sprinted to victory. He has been promoted to division 3. Then followed Trev and Steve. Pete was not far away in fourth. He’ll be a little more cautious on the second last corner next week.
Division 3 featured first time racer Darren Cook. Cook and been well briefed on race tactics and allowed Col Brown, Andrew Gordon and Colin Manintveld to tow him around most of the race. At the bell Cook put the power down and rode away from them in a promotion earning display of power. Col Brown was super strong getting second place with Andrew Gordon in third.
The largest field of the day was in Division 2. The race was animated by Breakaway hopefuls like Jason Dastey and Shane Pettingill. Their hopes of getting away were continually thwarted by the human” Jack Russell” Stuart Battley. Battley will chase anything. The fast men of the field, Jayman Prestidge, George Tambassis and Jack Walk did little of the pursuing and certainly none of the attacking. Gary Olsen having his first race for 3 years put in a big attack with 5 minutes to go and had the field really strung out. Walk showed some strength to bring it all back together. With 3 to go the sprinters tried to move up but Dastey and Battley kept the pace on ensuring it would be tough for them. Olssen led out the sprint but Walk was too swift for him taking the win and earning a promotion to division 1. Olsen was super strong at the end and took second from the irrepressible Dastey and Battley who were the main workers all race.
The Division one race was one of the best fields we’ve had for a long time. Jarrod Jones was returning from racing in the Bay Crit series, Nick Aitken rode in the Under 23 world titles last year, Brett Rollinson is in training for the big track wheel races and experienced campaigners like Scott Keeble and Jason Laird are always formidable opponents on a technical crit circuit. Youngsters who know no better Cyrus Monk and Jayden Maninitveld decided to attack from the start but that was short lived Keeble, Rollinson and Laird dragged them back with ease.
After a series of short lived breaks the most threatening move of the race went clear. Jarrod Jones and Nick Aitken were up the road together and many thought it would be “race over” for the rest. Their lead extended to 300 meters at one stage but the chase was resolute and soon the gap began to shrink. When they were almost caught Laird fell in the bottom corner taking down Glen Marriott as well. Cy Monk was caught behind the collision and had a lap out as well. Two laps later Greame Parker fell meaning the race was down to six riders. With two laps to go Brett Rollinson attacked. The bunch hesitated and looked to each other to chase as the gap grew. Rollinson was 150 meters clear at the bell and looked the winner. Eventually Jarryd Jones decided it was too late to wait and went after Brett. He tested the limits of traction into the second last corner but made it around round the bend. Into the home straight Rollinson still led by 30 meters but all of a sudden he appeared to be peddling though wet cement. Jones was flying and pasted Brett just before the line to take a thrilling win. Rollinson was second with Keeble third.
Racing returns next Friday night.
