18/01/2013
By Rob Monk
A total of fifty nine riders contested the third round of the Garden Shed criterium series at the Chesterfield Estate.
The junior riders continue to improve their skills on the criterium circuit. Series leader Matt Dutneal had new opposition this week. Jack Martin and Tylah Meunier kept him honest for much of the race. Lachlan Jagoe managed to stay upright this week and rode well. In the end Matt was just too strong, Jack and Tylah staged an epic sprint for second with Jack just finishing in front. Dylan Bensted rode well to take fourth.
The A grade race was highlighted by a mid-race breakaway by Cy Monk. Cy soloed off the front of the race for 15 minutes. He got out to a 12 second advantage but was slowly reeled in by the chasers. Danny Gaffa did much of the chasing but the gap closed quickest when Brett Rollinson and Jayden Maninitveld tried to jump across to Cy. The race was all back together with 3 to go. Danny Gaffa was looking good but the bunch had made the mistake of not getting rid of Jack Walk before the sprint. Gaffa led the bunch for all the final lap. Cy was locked onto his wheel. Gaffa opened the sprint and looked to be doing it easy. He was forced to exert some effort as Jack Walk flew at him on the line. Gaffa first, Jack second with Cy third. Graeme Parker was making a comeback after a crash in Race 1 and finished fourth.
The B grade was a heavyweight contest that featured the comeback of Phil Gallagher. Phil gave the boys a master class at how to take the corners at speeds they previously thought were impossible. The race featured the usual attempts to breakaway by Yeatman, Olsen and Gallagher. The usual suspects Stuart Battley, Shane Pettingal were happy to chase them down. Meanwhile the smart riders George Tambassis and Darren Cook did nothing. Yeatman’s most promising break with 5 laps to go was rendered useless when Olsen single handedly chased him down by hammering himself on the front for 4 laps. Gallagher was rested for the sprint and took an inside line around the top corner that Prestige was petrified to follow. Phil took the lead in the back straight and went around the corner in a speed that no-one else could match. Cook was second into the straight and Tambassis was on his wheel. Phil won easily with Cook in second and Tambassis third. Prestidge passed Battley in the straight to take fourth place.
First time racer Matt Parkinson showed the more experienced racers how to win in division three. Terry Kelly animated the race from the start with an early breakaway. Andrew Gordon and Steve Muggeridge are getting fitter each week. Gordo had a seat malfunction mid race but had a lap out and rejoined mid race. Andrew attacked with three to go and Matt and Col Brown gave chase. These three strung out the field taking all others out of the finish. Parkinson was too strong and went on to win easily. Col Brown continues to take on the role of Bridesmaid. Gordon was third and Chris Henne sprinted well for fourth.
In division 4 first time racer Alan McColloch was as strong as an Ox and tactically similar to one. He dragged the field around lap after lap on the front while the others sat on. Geoff Gatt is getting fitter each week and was able to hold on. Pete O’Donnell’s form seems to be going in the opposite direction and he was dropped early. McColloch had only 5 riders left on the train by bell. Youngsters Matt Dutneal and Andrew Golding sprinted past the tiring McColloch in the finishing straight. Promising Junior James Golding took the sprint from Matt Dutneal. Pre-race favourite John Davine disappointed in the sprint and could only manage third. McColloch was forth and will need to work on some race strategy to go better.
The Women’s Division 2 race was a hotly contested affair. Annie Prjkmak seems to be reluctant to win and earn promotion to A grade. Cathy Butterworth Cooper and Kylie Foltin lost contact with the main bunch mid race but worked well together to stay in touch.
Dani Reidy looked super strong all race and rode off the front with two laps to go. Donna Gibson is getting stronger each week and was able to chase Dani to secure second spot. Kristen Theile was third with Robyn Barker fourth.
The women’s division one was a tactical affair. The absence of Mariah Dastey meant Kate Prestidge and Rachel Kimber were thinking a sprint finish was winnable today. Trudi Gallagher was also having her first race of the series. Trudi put some pace on mid race and managed to overcook the bottom corner and crashed. She took a lap out and courageously re-joined the race. Kate Prestidge put the speed on at the bell and stretched the field out. Rachel Kimber had to work hard to close the gap and trailed by 5 bike lengths rounding the last turn. She sprinted hard but Kate was too strong and just held on to take victory. Rachel made it 3 from 3 second places in the series. Will she ever win one? Trudi was third and Sharon Gordon raced well to take out fourth.
Crits continue next Friday at 5.45 at the Chesterfield estate.
