27/05/2006

Warragul Cycling Club members made the long trek to the old Sale Rd circuit on Saturday for a time trial followed by a short scratch race.

In the time trial the rapidly improving Kane Walker showed the more experienced riders how it was done posting the fastest time of the day. Kane rode the 14.8km in 23:55 giving an average speed of just over 37km/hr. Second was Trent Brown (24:30) and third was Paul Yeatman and Peter Tsibelis (24.48). Junior riders Cy Monk and Tristan Walker had their first race against the clock and both did well.

In the scratch races the D grade girls had a chat for the first 3 laps and then raced for home. In the end it was Liz Watson who was too strong for Tammy Patrick with Pam Benstead in 3^rd spot.

In C grade Neil Walker and Matt Kennelly managed to break away from the field going around the top turn for the last time. They established a winning break on Dave Axford, Graeme Patrick and Geoff Gatt. In the sprint neither rider wanted to lead. Neil and Matt almost came to a standstill with 200 meters to go. Finally Matt jumped for the line but was in too big a gear to get moving and Neil sprinted away for an easy win.

Paul Yeatman proved the excellent time trial form was no fluke in the scratch race by surprising the more fancied Steve Twining and Pete Finlayson in the sprint. Drug tests were called for as Paul has not shown this form for quite awhile. He claims his form is the result of hard training rather than ergonomic aids. editor note.  Yah, I really should do intervals more consistently.

In A grade all eyes were on Kane Walker but the hard time trial had obviously damaged his brain. Kane despite riding the course 4 times claimed he didn’t know where the finish line was because “all the corners look the same”. Visiting rider Peter Tsibelis just pipped Trent Brown for the win with the brain damaged Kane in third spot.

Next week’s race is at Cloverlea. Juniors at 1.00pm and Seniors at 2.00pm.

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Tags: old sale road, scratch, time trial

16/07/2005

C grade began their scratch race before the other grades and worked well together to remain a head on the road from B and A grades. The pace was high heading down Old Sale Road and heading up after the turn around, everyone did their share of turns.

At around the 10km mark, metallic pinging noises were heard and collective utters of “what the hell is that” were heard to come from the bunch.  Shortly there after Yeatman  said “It’s my seat.” The bolts holding his saddle to his seat post had decided to throw themselves on the road.   As he  was seated, miraculously, the saddle remained on top of the post so it looked as if he would remain seated for the remainder of the race.

Shortly after the turn around at the end of lap 1, Yeatman shifted his  position in the saddle and it fell off.   He was forced to stop, put the saddle in his jersey pocket and continue on.    In order to get today’s points, Yeatman needed to finish the race, and he did just that, riding for 12km standing up.

Monk won the sprint.

Yeatman suffered the usual seat post up the rear end jokes after the race.  As today’s race marked the end of a short 3 week series, he was presented with a yellow jersey.

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Tags: old sale road, scratch, yellow jersey fever

23/10/2004

A small field of 17 riders headed out to the Old Sale Road parcours for some inspired racing on a much flatter course to that of the Herald Sun Tour. A combined A and B grade took off for three laps of the 15km circuit, which consists of a 7.5km out-and-back course. The group stayed together for their first two laps, until regular B grade rider Stevie Sandner was inspired to attack the field, bringing fellow B grade rider Pete Finlayson with him. Content that Stevie’s father, Thomas, would not try to reel in the breakaway duo, Pete kept the pressure on over the final 15 kilometres, pushing themselves to their limits and increasing their lead. Over the final kilometre Stevie showed to have the freshest legs, and he spun home to take the victory over Pete. Behind them, A grade riders Thomas and John Salton were more interested in keeping an eye on each other rather than the breakaway B graders, much to the frustration of final bunch member, B grade rider Geoff Thomson. Too much work too early spent the sprint ability of Thomas, and John Salton was able to take out the A grade win. The season’s hill and flat course racing alternates should mean a close overall season finish for the two specialists.

The lack of damaging hills led C grade rider Rob Monk to declare that in future, all road races should consist of similar terrain. Relishing the Old Sale Road planes, Monk kicked the pace hard for the 8-rider C grade field, which included Sam Duncan back for a ride in his break from the Services. This left Dave Axford with little time to find some shoes for the race, and he joined the field later. With the stronger C grade membership driving the pace, Duncan was an early casualty, losing touch on the return leg. Monique Hanley also had (medical) mechanical issues over this lap and retired early. Axford lost touch over the second lap, while the remaining 5 riders stuck together despite Monk’s best attack efforts. For most of the third lap, the pace see-sawed as Rob Monk continued to attack the field, recover, and attack again in order to break up the bunch. Michael Pridmore was the only rider not to survive the onslaught, and the rest of the pack settled in for a bunch finish. Keeping some energy reserves in supply, Monk relished the opportunity to power home for a well-deserved victory, ahead of Ross Henry and Trent Brown.

The small D grade field were reduced almost immediately as Sam Atkinson suffered a puncture over the first few kilometres. With such an intimate field, they remained together for their first lap whereafter a toey Roger Bell took off at the turnaround point. Brendan Pridmore further reduced numbers by retiring after lap one. Roger’s enthusiasm saw him complete a very quick second lap as Glenda Pridmore chased hard. Roger took the win as Glenda stormed home to take out a well-ridden second place, her highest finish.

Next week’s racing will be held at Buln Buln from 2pm.

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Tags: old sale road, scratch