21/09/2013
By Peter Finlayson
With mild and calm conditions prevailing on Saturday it was an ominous sign for the scratch markers in the Warragul Cycling Club’s Print Solutions Handicap race. Generally the strong scratch riders prefer tougher windier conditions which have the effect of making the race slower and longer, thereby giving them more time to mow down their competitors.
At the entry table the usual “scratchies” of Jayden Manintveld and Cy Monk were joined by occasional visitors Jason Laird and Clem Fries. Graeme Parker had been promoted due to his win last week. The pre race prediction was that, despite the benign conditions, five “scratchies” ought to be enough to give them their first opportunity to salute the judge provided that they all cooperate and ride smoothly for the 40km trip.
Adele Whelan, riding off limit was joined by Frank Benstead, and the second limit rider of Duane McDonald had first time rider, David Armour to keep him company. This contrasted with previous races where the limit riders tended to ride alone for the distance without anyone to share the pace making. If these riders also cooperated, this was their big opportunity to stay away and take the win. David was a bit of an unknown to the handicapper and his and Duane’s chances hinged on his understanding of the need to work with his fellow rider. As it turned out, both David and Duane rode like seasoned campaigners and swapped off turns perfectly and their 15 minute headstart was going to be difficult to overcome. Similarly, Adele and Frank made the most of their opportunities by riding smooth 30 second turns of pace with Adele waiting for Frank on the hills and Frank making the most of his descending abilities by taking the lead on the descents.
After lap one the 8 minute bunch of Michael Blackwood, John Davine, Colin Manintveld, Mark Oakley-Brown and Shane Wakker had merged with the 7 minute bunch of Grant Neilsen, Shane Stiles, Bruce Staben and Geoff Thomson making a nine member bunch to swap turns of pace. Michael and John were struggling to contribute much and eventually were dropped on the long slog past the Darnum Recreation Reserve.
The next bunch away only comprised three riders in Matt Parkinson, John Davies and Pete Whelan. Their task of bridging to the group in front was always going to be difficult as three chasing nine is never a good scenario.
The second scratch bunch of Brett Rollinson, Peter Finlayson, George Tambasis and Jack Walk were hopeful that they could quickly mow down the three in front to make a group of seven that could keep the “scratchies” at bay. They started in perfect form, riding “time trial” turns of 30 seconds each on the front before peeling off and latching onto the back. It soon became apparent that George’s bleatings to the handicapper that he had lost form while sunning himself on the deck of his Palm Cove holiday apartment were more than just the usual pre-race handicap strategy. George’s 30 second turns quickly turned into 25 second turns and when Pete Finlayson punctured after only a few minutes second scratch’s fate was sealed.
The five strong scratch group caught second scratch at the end of lap two and of the eight present, six were rolling through contributing to the pace.
With a lap to go it was apparent that Adele and Frank would not be caught. Duane and David looked safe too, although what usually happens is that as a race progresses the stronger riders get faster while those less strong start to fade. It looked like the scratch/second scratch bunch would mow down all but the limit riders, but for some reason they backed off the throttle and the last lap was the slowest of the race. Possibly what happened was that they realised that they were not going to catch limit so each scratch rider decided to conserved energy in order to get fastest time honours.
With a clear break on everyone, Adele and Frank approached the finish line with Adele cannily sitting on Frank’s wheel with the aim of “flicking” him in the sprint. Unfortunately for Adele, Frank was leaving nothing to chance and put in a huge effort in the sprint, using his superior power to open a gap of a couple of lengths. It was a carbon copy finish a minute later with Duane doing the same thing to David to take third. The rest of the field looked to be all together coming up the straight but, in fact, scratch had failed to catch the others by about 15 seconds and John Davies and Geoff Thomson fought out a very close sprint for 5th and 6th. Cy Monk just held off Jayden for fastest time by half a wheel.
Next week’s race is the final in the Print Solutions Handicap Series and the overall prize is still up for grabs. Geoff Thomson leads Graeme Parker by two points with Andrew Jackson a further six points back in third. It will be out of Graeme and Thommo to take out the series. Next week’s race starts at 10.00 am because of Grand Final day and is once again at Darnum.
Check out the complete points for the series here.
The over all series winner will receive a Canon Pixma MG5460, an advanced and stylish All-in-One printer.
Midlands Tour
Five club members headed to the Australian Automotive Research Centre for the 73nd Midlands Tour. This race is both parth of the NRS and the VRS. IN the feature race, Brenton Jones came second.
In the Women’s C race, Shell Scurr came 5th.
