24/11/2012

By Rob Monk

Warragul took on Leongatha cycling club in a combine at the tough Poowong East circuit on Saturday. It was hills, hills and more hills and the hot conditions meant there were some tired riders at the end of the race.

In A grade Leongatha dominated. Brett Franklin and Nick Youngs made the initial break on the first climb into Poowong. Stuart Smith was patient but eventually decided he’d ride across the gap to them. This trio rode the rest of lap one together off the front of the chasers. Turning left to the finish on lap 2 Smith put the pressure on and immediately had Franklin in trouble. Youngs proved a harder nut to crack though. Nick stayed with Stuart nearly all the way to the finish. Smith had to dig deep to break Youngs spirit within sight of the finish. Smith went away to take a strong win. Youngs second with Franklin not far away in third. The race for fourth was hotly contested. On the climb into Poowong the second time Jayden Manintveld broke from the chasing pack to go after the 3 leaders. Ron Purtle and Glen Marriott chased as well. Purtle broke away and Marriott and Manintveld worked together to bring him back. Manintveld blew up and Marriott rode on. On the final climb to the finish Marriott and Purtle were locked together. Marriott was just too quick in the sprint to take fourth.

The B graders stayed together for most of lap one. As usual Paul Yeatman struggled on the hills but ground his way back on when the road levelled out. Yeatman was forced to withdraw at the end of lap one with a mechanical problem. The race blew apart on the climb up to Poowong on lap 2. Roland Elstrom and Graeme Parker rode away and worked well together to maintain and even extend their break on the flats. Neil Walker and Stuart Battley gave chase but could not catch. Parker was too quick in the sprint for Roland. Walker just beat Battley in the sprint for third about 4 minutes later. Pete Whelan and Pete Finlayson looked hot and bothered when they rolled in for fifth and sixth place a further 3 minutes back.

The C grade race broke up on lap one as Peter Sorenson, Graeme Patrick and Shane Pettingill showed their strength. Going with them for much of lap one was soon to be promoted D Grader Shane Wakkar. Sorenson Patrick and Pettingill were together at the end of lap one but a long way apart by the finish. Shane rode away from Graeme and Peter on lap 2. He went on to win by over a minute from Graeme who was two minutes in front of Peter. The hills can take their toll.

Shane Wakkar was a clear winner in D grade with Pete O’Donnell in second. Pete believes the flats of Cloverlea next week will suit his physiology better next week.

A highlight next week will be O’Donnell taking on Bill Frew in his long awaited return to racing. This battle will be worth turning up for.

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Tags: combine, hills, leongatha cc, Poowong

07/06 – 09/06/2008

The forecast drizzle held off and riders were treated to mild conditions on day 1 and 2.  Day 3 saw chilly conditions for the start of stage 4.  Day one was fairly sedate with much of the action happening right before the KOM and sprint points.  Day 2 saw the fields split over the large hill.  The winners were decided in stage 3.  Day 3 and stage 4 saw the A grade field ripped apart by the stage winners.  The slow pace of B grade frustrated a few riders and one (your webmaster) was off the front for around 3/4 of a lap while trying to get a two minute gap on everyone until the hills on lap 2 sucked his energy away.  The white line rule was enforced on the last day to the disappointment of some riders.

Stage 1 / Stage 2 / Stage 3 / Stage 4 / Points/Bonuses / Start Lists

Race Director; Wane Tunks

Time Keeper: Alan Beveridge

Stage Details

Day 1 – Warragul Cycling Club – 07/06/2008

Stage 1 – Shady Creek Course

A Grade: 5 laps (83km).  KOM and sprints on laps 2/3/4.

B Grade: 4 laps (66.4km).  KOM and sprints on laps 2/3/4.

C Grade: 3 laps (49km).  KOM and sprints on laps 2/3.

Day 2 – Leongatha Cycling Club – 08/06/2008

Stage 2 – Wild Dog Road 6.8km ITT

Riders start in reverse grade order, highest number to lowest number at
30 second intervals and a 2-3 minute gap between grades.

Stage 3 – Mardin Circuit

A Grade: 2 laps (78km)

B Grade: 1 lap (39km)

C Grade: 1 lap (39km)

Day 3 – Wellington Cycling Club – 09/08/2008

Stage 4 – Tinambra

A Grade: 4 laps (82.4km). Sprints @ 20.6km, 41.2km & 61.6km.
KOM @ 15.2km, 30.4km & 45.6km.

B Grade: 3 laps (61.8km). Sprints @ 20.6km & 41.2km.  KOM @
15.2 & 30.4km.

C Grade: 2 laps (41.2km). Sprint @ 20.6km.  KOM @ 15.2km.

Points & Bonuses

Time bonses (seconds) and points are awarded in the road race stages as
follows:

Stage finish: 1st = 10 secs, 2nd = 8 secs, 3rd = 6 secs, 4th  = 4
secs, 5th = 2 secs

KOM: 1st = 5 points, 2nd = 3 points, 3rd = 1 point.

Sprint King: 1st = 5 points, 2nd = 3 points, 3rd = 1 point

In A and B grade, riders also get time bonuses equal to the points won in the KOM and Sprint King comps in their GC classification.
The A & B winners are based on total race time.  The C grade winner is that with the most points.

Start Lists

A Grade

B Grade

C Grade

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Tags: 3 day tour, combine, leongatha cc, shady creek, wellington cc

18/11/2007

Warragul CC riders were out in force for the Club Combine race at Leongatha on Sunday. WCC members took out the A grade and B Grade race.

In A grade Kane Walker powered over the top of Leongatha young gun Nick Aitken to take the prize in a high speed bunch sprint. Also in the finishing pack was promising LCCC member Sam Beveridge. The future of Gippsland cycling looks bright.

In B grade WCC strongman Paul Yeatman triumphed again. Yeatman found the Leongatha Hills no problem as he’s shed some kilos recently and is riding in great form. Neil Walker finished second and he will not be gifted a 10 minute start in the next club handicap like he was given last week. In fifth place Steve Muggeridge battled on well and was only unseated from the bunch on the last lap. Rob Monk and Karen Munro were dropped on lap two of three and did some serious time-trailing to finish the race.

In the Juniors Cy Monk won the J13 section and finished with some of the J15 riders from Leongatha.

Korrine B Grade bunch

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Tags: combine, leongatha cc, scratch

10/06 – 12/06/2006

By Monique Hanley

The annual Gippy 3 Day Tour was once again held over the June long weekend, featuring four stages of racing hosted by Bairnsdale & Riviera, Latrobe City and Leongatha Cycling Clubs.

Despite gloomy weather predictions all racing was held in dry conditions, albeit a bit cold.  The Warragul Cycling Club was represented by seven of its members: Luke Hanley, Dave Salton, Ben Serpell, Geoff Thomson, Chris Beales, Kane Walker and Monique Hanley.  The weekend was once again a pleasure to be a part of: friendly racing and inter-club rivalry, great organisation and a laid back attitude befitting the tradition of the Tour.  If you have never ridden the Three Day Tour, pencil it in for next year as it is a great winter motivator with well-sized bunch racing and prize money often going down to 10th place (or further) for each grade!

In A grade, Warragul got off to a flying start with Dave Salton attacking early into Stage 1 at Lindenow and establishing a short break before the bunch eventually tracked down his effort.

He recovered enough to go on to win the punchy uphill sprint and the coveted time bonuses on offer for an A grade stage win.  Stages 2 & 3 were held at Yinnar, with Stage 2 consisting of a 5km individual time trial effort.  Despite the parcours dominated by the local Latrobe riders, Luke Hanley was well placed to record the 6th fastest time of the day.   In the afternoon it was another case of breakaway attempts, this time a four-man break succeeding in the crosswinds, but without a Warragul presence.  Luke Hanley formed a chase group in the final half of the circuit to limit some of the time damage caused by the breakaways, and in doing so secured 5th place on the overall standings.  Monday morning was held at the Leongatha Golf Course on a circuit unknown to many.  The promise of a few hills did little to break up the bunch and in a conservative race, all leaders protected their standings with Dave Salton finishing well and earning both sprint and finish bonuses.

Overall Results A grade
5th Luke Hanley
10th Dave Salton
21st Ben Serpell

B grade
From the first turn it seemed Warragul was always going to feature at the pointy end of the B grade bunch as Chris Beales kicked off with an offensive attack.  He was followed by Geoff Thomson who proved there is still a sprint in those legs of his by claiming the first intermediate sprint.  Despite some frustrated attempts at breaking up the bunch, all efforts were to no avail as every KOM, sprint and finish came down to the bunch kick.  Thommo proved to have the greatest acceleration this side of the Valley by claiming full points in all bar one contested title, including the claim of stage win.  Sunday’s stage 2 time trial proved the first chance to test Thommo’s mettle, and gave an opportunity for Warragul members Chris Beales and Kane Walker to shine, finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively and pushing Beales significantly up the ladder on the overall tally.  Bealesy further improved on this during the stage 3 circuit, going solo over the first lap to score the maximum intermediate sprint points.  But disaster struck on the KOM challenge as the narrow roads caused a few riders to bump shoulders.  With the momentum suddenly shifting sideways, Kane Walker was unable to control his ship and he took a nasty tumble.  It was a double blow for Warragul as his bike landed curbside and right into the sprint path of Bealesy.  Amazingly the remainder of the pack avoided the carnage but with two Warragul riders down, and a suspected serious shoulder injury for Bealesy, it was left to Thommo and Monique Hanley to carry the Warragul flag.  Shortly after the bell for the final lap, Hanley managed to bridge across to a breakaway consisting of nine-time 3 Day Tour winner Dave McFarlane and fellow Leongatha rider Peter Laws.  As the bunch struggled to organise a chase in the cross wind, the three worked together but couldn’t make any distance towards solo breakaway, Eurobodella rider John Marion.  Hanley finished 3rd and was very happy to get onto the leaders board with some points at last!  Stage 4 at Leongatha was another bunch affair as tired legs limited the kick of break away attempts.  Thommo once again featured in every sprint on offer and in doing so left no question as to the deserving overall leader.  On the final hills into the finish, local Leongatha rider Tony Smith escaped along with Wellington’s Shane Dove to battle out for 1-2, but Thommo showed his true colours by leading the bunch home for third with Monique Hanley 7th.

Overall Results B grade
1st Geoff Thomson
7th Monique Hanley
DNF Chris Beales
DNF Kane Walker

The weekend finished with the traditional luncheon and awards presentation, which gives an opportunity to let the stories of the weekend take even greater shape over a couple of ales, and for everyone involved to acknowledge the efforts of organisers, marshalls and riders in all grades, including the juniors.

Here’s hoping Bealesy’s injuries don’t keep him off the bike for too long, and we also hope the tumble doesn’t dissuade Kane Walker from gaining valuable racing experience.

Until next year.

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Tags: 3 day tour, bairnsdale cc, combine, latrobe city cc, leongatha cc, time trial

11/06 – 13/06/2005

The Gippsland 3 Day Tour, was run for the 31st time over the June long weekend.  Jointly hosted by the cycling clubs of Gippsland, including Bairnsdale, Latrobe City, Leongatha and Warragul, it is an opportunity for the clubs to compete in friendly rivalry and a rare opportunity for team tactics to be used to protect leaders or assist the top riders from your club collect bonus points on offer across the weekend.  The event is renowned for its brutal racing conditions, and this year’s first stage, hosted by Bairnsdale, seemed to live up to its reputation.  Rain poured from midday onwards, with cyclists huddled in the Lindenow Public Hall hoping the start delay would allow the storm to pass over.  It was not to be, as the marshals finally arrived and racing commenced with soaked cycle booties weighing down all riders.

Warragul’s B grade team took a flying start with Chris Beales collecting the first sprint points, who then continued on solo for a break which lasted almost 50km.  His run finally ended in the final kilometres, allowing his fresh-legged teammates to make their mark in the bunch finish.  Geoff Thomson took the stage win.

In C grade, Rob Monk was the early aggressor, collecting both sprint points up for grabs, and Nicole Whitburn collecting the first KOM.  David Baillie took advantage of a lull in the race to break clear with Latrobe City rider, Greg Hunt.  With few riders from the Leongatha and Bairnsdale clubs to pull back the break, the two stayed away, with Baillie collecting the stage win.  In the bunch finish behind, Rob Monk sprinted into 3rd place, followed by Nicole Whitburn.  In the women’s division, a hypothermic Lawrence Maskill worked on some solo time trialling before accepting a ride back into town.

Sunday’s stage was hosted by Warragul at the Shady Creek circuit.  With the skies clear and a good turnout to see the riders off, spirits were soaring. The bunches were all now aware of who to watch, with many calculating the differences in the points tables and estimating the values of securing a KOM or intermediate sprint point on offer.

In B grade, Chris Beales’ good run ended with two punctures.  This allowed Chris Hunt to fly the Warragul flag, attacking the pack on the descent of the Shady Creek climb and continuing along the Nilma North flats.  He was not seen by the field again for the rest of the day, collecting a well earned stage win, with Geoff Thomson collecting more points and Luke Hanley sixth.

In C grade Dave Baillie was again the man to watch, who quickly made it the man to chase after attacking 3km into the race on the first climb of the Shady Creek hill.  By the second lap his effort again forced the peloton into chase mode, but this time only four riders could stay with him.  Together they put distance on the chase packs behind, but on the final ascent of Shady Creek only three remained, with Monique Hanley a casualty from the sprint for the KOM points.  Leongatha’s Neil White took the stage win, with Dave Baillie third and Monique Hanley fourth.

Monday’s final stage was held in Leongatha and included the infamous Marden circuit featuring a leg sapping 6km climb.  B and C grade and the womens section were scheduled to complete one lap of the 38km circuit, with A grade completing two.  With only KOM and finish line points on offer, the challenge of mid-race points calculations was significantly reduced.

In B grade, Geoff Thomson was the man to protect and with Tim Lee, Chris Beales, Pete Bailey, Ross Henry and Luke Hanley providing the necessary support, Thomo was able to save his legs for the final sprint, which netted him 2nd place and the overall Tour win.

Thanks to Neil White’s efforts at Shady Creek in C grade where he collected all intermediate points on offer as
well as the stage win, some significant riding from Baillie would be required to reclaim the overall lead.  However, the first two stages took their toll on Baillie, and despite the best efforts of support from Rob Monk and Nicole Whitburn, it was not to be.  In a bunch sprint on the uphill finish Rob Monk put the gear into the 11 and roared across the line to take out the stage win over White, with Whitburn fourth and Baillie fifth.  In A grade, Warragl riders Dave Salton and Ben Serpell put in some serious turns to bring back the unassailable lead of Latrobe City ride John
MacKenzie.  In the end, MacKenzie was too strong for the field, winning the Tour with a one minute margin to Melbourne’s Mark Howard.

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Tags: 3 day tour, bairnsdale cc, latrobe city cc, leongatha cc

13/03/1994

By Murray Fenwick

The Gippsland Criterium series continued on Sunday with Mirboo North playing host.  Large crowds lined the streets as the race is part of the Potato Festival.  Warragul showed how competitive it is in taking first second and third in the juniors and first and second in A grade.

Warragul’s junior riders were unbeatable with only, one other rider able to stay with the Warragul trio.  These three slowly decimated the field and with one lap to go they went for it.  Ben Fleming was first around the finishing bend and remained in that position with Scott Keeble second and Daniel Dilger third.

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Tags: criterium, leongatha cc, mirboo north