14/11/1992
By Geoff Cuckson
Warragul cycling’s combined road handicap last Saturday saw the biggest club rider turnout for many years, if not ever. Despite the absence of several regular competitors, 34 senior riders took part – 11 for their first of the season and several having their initial trip with the club.
Officials have been extremely pleased to welcome back life member and former stalwart Ron Grant, now in his 60s, who rode very well in his first hit out for a number of years.
In the same handicap, A and B grades were again required to cover 36 kilometres of the Landsborough Rd circuit whilst C grade and novices were to ride 24 kilometres although starting behind the others. Newcomer Matt Malacame kicked clear of his five fellow limit markers early in the first lap to ride most of the event on his own. Although tiring at the end of the 24 kilometres, he was able to hold out a very fast finishing Wilf Tampaline who had given the winner a two minute start. Peter Standfield continued his improvement to come home strongly for third, ahead of Terry Kilday whose time was nine seconds only off the winner.
Triathletes Stuart Pharoah and David Carins snuck under the handicappers guard and filled fifth and sixth to be the first of the 26 km riders in after receiving nine minutes from the scratchies.
Several riders came in at intervals before the six minute markers had the first bunch sprints after working well together and picking up some of the front markers. In a spirited charge, Paul Mead hit the line ahead of Ken Bolch, a desperate Brad Clark, Stuart Cuckson, Grub Melnyk, Grame Hanks and Paul Yeatman. Despite losing Chris Kypo, an enormous last lap by scratch markers Wayne Kestle, Phil Gallagher and Darren Spiteri enabled them to pick up the two minute bunch in time for a long sprint home.
In the tightest and best sprint of the season, Gallagher threw everything at Kestle but just failed to grab the VIS junior and take fastest time. Glen Gibson, Geoff Thomson, Aaron Nobelius and Spiteri were also in this very close finish despite being four minutes behind the winner, Malacarne.
Other newcomers Peter Bailey, Colin Skinner and Jan Kilday all rode very well whilst Dale Grant was forced out early with a puncture and veteran Ted Dunn again put in a great effort to finish in the first 10.
The juvenile boys had two events with the first also being a mixed handicap.
With four scratchies to cover 11.5 kilometres, three front markers rode 8.5 kilometres and just held on to take the honours. Mick Delaney again showed his improvement to kick clear past the hospital and hold on for a 17 second victory from Ben Cumming with another newcomer, 10 year old Daniel Mills, close behind. The back markers held together well until Scott Keeble jumped away to take fourth and fastest speed ahead of Ryan Ritchie, Ben Fleming and Jason Boxall -all boys doing a great job and not far apart. Their second event was a standing 300 meter sprint, which saw Fleming scream through for the fastest ahead of Keeble, Ritchie, Boxall and the other three boys close together.
Spot prizes were taken out by the popular Grub Melnyk, Jan Kilday and David Cairns and the club this week thanks Phil and Debbie at Warragul Cycles for their support.
