24/01/2016
By Rob Monk
It was a day for the comeback kids at the Warragul Cycling club on Sunday. Riders who are returning to racing after a few years on the side lines triumphed proving it does not take long for experienced riders to return to their winning ways.
The A grade race was animated by Brett Kennedy. Kennedy was keen to get up the road with anyone who wanted to join him. Chris Joustra and Kennedy broke away before the intermediate sprint and Kennedy took full points. With two laps to go Kennedy and Brett Rollinson snuck off the front. When Chris Joustra joined them the rest of the field was in trouble. As the bell rang Leigh Hauxwell set out in pursuit but was caught in no man’s land. He could not get across the gap but had broken away from the peloton. Everyone knew what would happen next. Shane “Rupert” Stiles had watched the breakaway happening. He’d done nothing to prevent it and was now going to jump across to it. He blew past Hauxwell and rode across easily. He led out the sprint and with 100 meters to go took his hands of the bars and waved Brett Kennedy through to take the win. Rupert thought Brett “deserved it”. Brett Rollinson rode a strong race to get third with the ever combative Chris Joustra in fourth. Leight Hauxwell sprinted well to get the remaining point for fifth.
Last week B graders Josh Akarsu, Scott Keeble, Rob Monk, Harry McLean and Matt Malacarne animated the race at every opportunity. They didn’t win, This week they all seemed to want to try something different. Conservative strategies were the order of the day. Little happened in the first half of the race. Malarane and Akarsu took off in search of the intermediate sprint points and were successful. Monk jumped across to them but managed to bring the field across with him. After a solid lap everyone seemed content to settle in for a sprint finish. Late in the race Keeble put it on the line and took off. He would need a strong 10 minute effort to win. He lasted 5 minutes and was caught. At the bell Harry McLean who had done nothing all race pushed his chips “all in” and rode away up the hill. It was left to the Drouin Cycles team of Steve Muggeridge, Paul Yeatman and Jason Strickland to chase him down. McLean still held a good lead rounding the final bend. Paul Yeatman dug deep chasing but Josh Akarsu had very fresh legs and sprinted for victory from 400 meters out. He flew by Yeatman and the tiring McLean. Josh was first with Rob Monk second. Greg Spencer was third. Harry hung on for fourth which was some reward for his bold move at the bell. Paul Yeaman was fifth. This was Josh’s first win in over 10 years.
Thomas Sandner had his first race back in D grade last week after a four year break from racing. He showed enough to be promoted to C grade this week. Thomas also raced a little more conservatively this week. He did try and break away a few times but no-one seemed that keen join him or really commit to a long breakaway. Fred DeCosta won the intermediate sprint. The field entered the home straight together and Sandner, not recognised as a fast sprinter was underestimated by his opponents. They all wanted the middle of the road to get some protection from the wind. This allowed Thomas for get a clear run up the inside where he opened up 3 bike lengths and was never headed. Ross Henry battled on for second. Then followed Gary Olsson, Zvonko Maric and Col Brown.
Young Declan Jeffery won the E grade race two weeks ago. He was promoted to D grade and showed them his back wheel at the finish here as well. Declan showed experience beyond his years by sitting quietly at the back of the pack for much of the race. He was beaten in the first sprint by David Thomas but still secured a point for second. As the bell rang he took off up the hill at a speed that the workhorses in the race, Duane McDonald and Graeme Patrick could not match. Ben Perry set out after Declan but could not bridge the gap. Declan held it all the way to the line to take a strong win and earn himself a spot in C grade next week. Duane McDonald was second. Then followed Mark Mason, Leigh Jamieson and Dave Thomas.
The E grade field split early as “The Big D” Dwayne Needham put the power down on the home straight. Michelle Scurr was the only one able to hold his wheel. Big D is good on the flats but does not go up hill too well. Michelle would drop him going up the King St hill each lap but using gravity to his advantage big D would catch her on the descent. These two thought they had the race won but the underestimated the determined chase of young Ollie McLean. Ollie rode over to Michelle and Dwayn then dropped them on the hill and rode on to victory. Well done Ollie. Dwayne said initially he “gifted” the young fellow the victory but late admitted that 100% racing and 0% training may not be working for him. Michelle was third with Grace McLean in fourth and Mick Blackwood in fifth.
Race four of the series is on next Sunday starting at 8.15 near the Warragul Leisure Center.
Points after 3 rounds
Riders are encouraged to pre enter at the following link : series details and entry.
