27/03/2016
By Rob Monk
The young guns returned to Warragul for the Easter Sunday A grade race. Cy Monk was back in town after winning the road race in the World University Cycling Championships in the Philippines a week ago. Leongatha juniors Austin Timmens, Tom McFarlane, Will Lumby and Harry McLean were also there as was Jayden Manintveld from Warragul. It was not the young guys who animated the race to begin with. Shane Stiles, Chris Joustra and Jim Tmmer-arends whose combined age was greater than the rest of the field set the tempo early. Jayden Manintveld jumped across to them and it was up to the Leongatha lads to chase. Cy Monk waited till they have caught the break then attacked. He soloed off the front at the beginning of lap 3 and was not caught for the remainder of the race. The chase lacked organisation and was doomed to failure when Shane Stiles punctured. Cy won the race easily. Tom McFarlane was too quick for Jayden in the sprint for second. Austin was fourth with young Chris Joustra in fifth.
The B grade race was a sedentary affair. The only break to the procession occurred on lap 3 when Jason Tubnor and Ross Henry were allowed to dangle off the front for the best part of a lap. Most riders were fresh for the sprint. Pete Whelan went for home from 700 meters out and Tylah Meunier started the chase then Paul Yeatman took over. Rob Monk tried to get a break on the final hill but lacked the punch to get away. Jayman Prestidge had conserved his energy well and used it when it matters most. He sprinted to victory with Graeme Parker in Second and Paul Yeatman in third. Graeme had crossed the centre line though so race director Annie Pryjmak showed no mercy and rubbed him out. Rob Monk then moved up to third with Jason Tubnor fourth and Roland Elsdon fifth.
The C grade race stayed together as well. That is usually the case when Col Brown is in the field. Col will chase anything and gets antsy when the break gets more than fifty meters up the road. This played into Ben Perry’s hands. He’s developing into a canny racer. He won the sprint easily from Gary Olsson, with Mark Mason in third. John Batten finished well to get fourth and De Mac took the final finishing point for fifth.
In D Grade Olly McLean broke away with 2 laps to go. Richard Bridge and Macca Parkinson tried to chase him down but young Ollie was just too strong. James Williams took a fly at his fellow races around the final turn but was reeled in by Richard Bridge. Rachel Kimber sprinted well to take second place. Macca was third, James fourth and Richard fifth.
Next Weeks race is a handicap at Cloverlea on Sunday April 3
