Leongatha and Latrobe Valley Riders Outsmart the Locals

22/01/2017

by Jason Tubnor

The A grade race was an attacking affair thanks mainly to the Latrobe City riders. It seems like the Valley boys had a plan. Chris Joustra and Jim Timmer-Arrends continually tried to get up the road while Craig Skinner took on the designated sprinter role and left the Warragul riders to do the chasing. While the Latrobe boys had a coherent plan, the locals were a rabble. Brett Rollinson did lots of chasing. Jason Tubnor helped. Shane Stiles bounced around like a peanut and Brett Kennedy rode for Brett Kennedy. Kennedy is the only rider I know who attacks himself when he’s off the front. It’s all about Kenny. He’s oblivious to anyone else in the race. Jayman Prestidge and Rob Monk did nothing but grovel on the back of the bunch for most of the race. Jason Tubnor took the intermediate sprint from Chris Joustra. At the finish Skinner was fresh for the sprint and so was Will Lumby who took the prize for the smartest rider of the day. This was not difficult when competing with the Warragul dullards. Tubnor and Rollinson had chased all day and were exhausted. Stiles led out the sprint but weakened quickly. Lumby was too quick for Skinner with Kennedy third. Stiles was fourth with Prestidge fifth.

The B grade race was a tame and inclusive procession except for Mark Stockdale. He was the only aggressor and spent lots of time off the front. Dylan Adams and Roland Elsdon chased him down while Tex Walker barked orders from the back of the bunch. Adams was looking after young Ollie McLean and the Leongatha pair took the points in the intermediate sprint. In the finale Graeme Parker picked his way through the bunch well and took the win from Tex Walker. Mark Mason finished quickly to get third. Ollie McLean was fourth and Mark Stockdale deserved the most aggressive prize and the points for fifth.

Leongatha youngster Thomas Fitzgerald made it two wins from two starts in the series. He also took the intermediate sprint. Peter MacDonald had declared himself an un-backable favourite before the race but the bookmakers now have his money. He finished second again. Bernadette Fitzgerald was third with Kristy Rollinson fourth and Lea McLean fifth. Peter McLean says he let Lea beat him but he seemed to be dropped from where I was watching. MacDonald has told the punters to get on him next week. He said he’s a certainty.

Race three of the series is on next Sunday at 8.15 am. Riders can register to race via the Warragul Cycling Club Web Site.

Back to race list.