31/05/2008

Warragul Cycling Club members were again greeted with near perfect conditions for cycling on Saturday. The riders were faced with a few laps of the infamous Fishers Rd circuit and as usual the racing was intense.

In A grade Shane Stiles was after some hard interval training before next week’s assault on the Gippsland three day tour. Stiles allowed the bunch to stay together over the wall but forced the pace on the flat with speeds hitting the high forties for much of the journey. Of the other riders Thomas Sander was the first to crack on the wall the third time up. Thomas chased hard but decided to watch the finish from the sidelines and did not complete the forth lap. Stiles and James Henry rode away from Geoff Thompson and Brenton Jones on the flats on lap four. Stiles blasted away from James at the finish to take out a strong win. Thommo took out third position from Brenton.

The B grade bunch worked well together for the first lap. The second time up the wall Rob Monk and Tristan Murat establish a good break and decided to cooperate to maintain it. Neil Walker, Trev Rollinson and Matt Kennelly worked together to chase them down and the field was soon back together again. The final time up the Picnic Point Hill Tristan upped the tempo and had Neil, Rob and Trev in trouble. They did manage to close the gap to Tristan near the top of the hill but here Matt Kennelly launched the crucial attack of the race and no-one could go with him. At the bottom of the wall Kennelly held a 300 meter advantage. Tristan, Rob and Neil got over the climb together and worked together for the final 10km of the race to chase Matt. The three of them worked the turns well and they got to within 100 meters by the turn onto the old Princess Hwy but Kennelly would not be caught. Tristan tried to bridge but failed. Rob tried near the line but fell short. First Matt in an outstanding ride, second Rob and Neil battled on to take third. Matt is nearly ready to make the big jump into A grade.

In C grade the improving Richard Bridges showed early morning training partner Paul Kennedy a clean pair of wheels on the final lap. Richard got over the wall with a good break and managed to hold it all the way to the finish. In third place Lawrence Maskill managed to ride away from Dave Axford.

In the junior race James Lalor, Aaron and Cy Monk battled it out over one lap. James triumphed with Aaron second and Cy third.

Good luck to the WCC members who will contest the 3 Day Tour of Gippsland next weekend.

Back to race list

Tags: picnic point, scratch

13/10/2007

Many Warragul Cycling Club members were put off by the cold wind and grey skies so numbers were down for Saturday’s race. It was decided to run a handicap around the harsh Fishers Road circuit.

First away with sixteen minutes head start over the A graders, were regular C graders Paul Kennedy and Graeme Patrick. Rob Monk joined them having his first race start after a fall 5 weeks ago. Next to go were the B grade quartet of Dave Baillie, Callan Barker, Trevor Rollinson and Neil Walker. They were giving the C graders 8 minutes head start but had 8 minutes start on the scratch men. James Henry, Shane Stiles, Kane Walker and Chris Beales would chase the field while juniors Cy Monk and James Lalor would only ride 2 laps of the 13km circuit. They started 5 minutes behind scratch.

The C grade trio worked well together. Graeme, Rob and Paul shared the work and never looked back. They passed the juniors before the end of the second lap. The B graders struggled to stay together on the hills and this lack of organisation lost them valuable time. The A graders were flying. On lap one they took 4.5 minutes out of the C graders and nearly 3 minutes from B grade. By the end of lap 2 the A graders could see the B graders. They had made up over 6 minutes of their 8 minute handicap. B grade was also making ground on C grade but the C graders still held a 5 minute 40 second advantage with just a lap to ride. The B graders were caught at the worst possible spot for them; half way up the Fishers Road Wall. Shane Stiles and James Henry hit them fast and hard on the wall and no-one could go with them. This left Shane and James alone at the head of the chase group. Callan Barker tried valiantly to bridge the gap but just couldn’t make it.

At the head of the race the C grade trio was still working like a well oiled machine. No-one in the trio missed a turn for the whole race. As they swung onto the Old Princess Hwy it was clear they would not be caught. In the sprint for the line Graeme Patrick just held off a fast finishing Paul Kennedy. Rob Monk was content with third. In the race for fastest time of the day James Henry just beat Shane Stiles. The scratchies covered the 41.5 km in a little over an hour. They averaged just over 38km/h for the race.

Next weeks race is a criterium around the streets of Trafalgar as part of the Battle of Traf festival. The race starts at 10am with registration open from 9.00 am.

Three of Warragul Cycling Clubs junior riders will contest the finals of the State Schools Championships as part of the lead up to the Herald Sun tour. The race is a criterium round the Shrine and Arts Centre in Central Melbourne and will take place next Saturday morning. We wish Kane Walker, Callan Barker and Cy Monk all the best.

Back to race list

Tags: handicap, picnic point

25/08/2007

Warragul Cycling Club members braved cold and windy conditions at Cloverlea to contest the final two stages of the Tour De Baw Baw. First up on Saturday was a 7km time trial into a blasting Southerly along Parkers Road .

The fastest time was recorded by Rolland Elstrom from LVCC. Rolland won A grade.

The B grade tour was close and prior to the 4^th stage Rob Monk, led Steve Muggeridge by just one point. Rob, a noted time trial hater, was always going to struggle in the “race of truth”. Steve won just from Matt Kennelly with Callan Barker in third spot. In C grade Trevor Rollinson was too strong for Wayne Tunks while in D grade Pam Benstead and Cy Monk staged an epic battle up the finishing straight after Pam took a minute out of Cy along Parkers Road .

The final race of the tour was a scratch race around the Cloverlea circuit. All grades started together and remained together rounding the top corner but Cy Monk, Trev Rollinson and Wayne Tunks decided to drop off and go a bit easier. Cy finished well to take the best young rider Jersey . Trev and Tunksy rode a couple of extra laps with Trev too strong in the run to the line. In A grade Shane Stiles was pitted against two Latrobe Valley riders, Roland Elsdon and tour leader Andrew McKernan. Shane was happy to share the pace making with others in the first lap and a half but eventually he could contain himself no longer and decided to attack. Into the strong head wind along Parkers Road he took off with the LCCC pair in pursuit. Roland and Andrew worked together until the finish but just could not get over to Shane who recorded a strong win.

The B grade race was a tactical, stop start affair. Dave Bailey and Callan Barker tried a few moves off the front and new rider David Werbsczuk was keen to chase down any moves. Monk and Muggeridge were rarely seen at the front. The race looked destined to end in a bunch sprint as no-one wanted to lead into the head wind along Parkers road the last time. Sensing this hesitation Dave Bailey and Matt Kennelly launched an attack. The bunch didn’t respond. Monk, Muggeridge and Brett Williams were banking on the inexperience Werbsczuk and Barker to bring the breakaway back. They had seriously miscalculated. Rounding the home corner Williams tried to jump over the gap but he’d only made it half way was left floundering in no-mans land. Finally Rob Monk tried to jump across the gap. He powered past Brett but could not bridge all the way to Kennelly and Bailey. Muggeridge was locked onto his wheel but was reluctant to do any chasing as he was leading the series and didn’t need to take the stage to win the tour. Matt Kennelly was too good for Dave Bailey in the sprint for first and Steve Muggeridge finished too strongly for Rob taking third in the stage and first in the B grade Tour.

Jersey winners:

• A Grade – Andrew McKernan
• B Grade – Steve Muggeridge
• C Grade – Trevor Rollinson
• D Grade – Pam Benstead
• Juniors – Cy Monk.

Great supporter of the WCC, Wilf Tampolini from Drouin Cycles was on hand to present the winners with their Yellow Jerseys. Wilf has also sponsored the stylish looking new race numbers. WCC members are encouraged to support Drouin Cycles to repay his generous sponsorship.

Next weeks race is a points race around the Lillico circuit. The race is sponsored by Lillico wines and riders will finish at the winery for a coffee or something stronger after the race. The points race format is an interesting one were everyone gets to be involved in 6 to 8 full gas sprints in one race. Riders are encouraged to come along for the ride.

Back to race list

Tags: picnic point, scratch

09/09 – 11/06/2007

For the 2007 3 Day Tour results, open the 2007 3 Day Tour Results pdf.

Notes from the webmaster:

Stage 1 @ Stratford

Felt ok.  Spent too much energy trying to chase down a break away so on the sprint at the end of lap 1 so I was dropped.  The remaining 14 or so km was a time trial.  Legs wound up heavy and sore.  35.1kph for 65.62km.  Av HR 163bpm

Stage 2 @ Yinnar

Warm up.  chilly and foggy.  legs performing better than feel.
My race began strong, but my legs soon began to protest at the pace and I flagged early and was struggling by the end. Got whipped by lots of the field. 35.0kph for 5.36km.  Av HR 169bpm

Stage 3 @ Yinnar

A tactical race that saw me attempt to break away twice, lots of playing possum and getting dropped twice (at the KOM).  We tired to get our man, (Bealsy) off the front.  Unfortunately he got rolled not far from the line.  35.8kph for 60.39km.  Av HR 151bpm.

Stage 4 @ Picnic Point

Wet and Chilly at Picnic Point.
The first hill was under control so that was comfortable with my zero warm up.  Coming up a hill along the Main Neerim Road I broke away as the pace was pathetic.  I lasted about a km before being reeled in.  At the end of lap 1 an intermediate sprint saw me and about 6 others dropped.  After the Jindivick KOM on lap 2 where I picked up a 3 second time bonus apparently, I had a small gap on my group so decided to give it a go.  I was reeled in. The pace after this went up and the five of us remaining did track turns until the final climb.  Poor positioning saw me get 3rd (so about 12th I think).

The guy who got the break who no one was eager to chase wound up winning overall.  Grrrr.  I came 2nd last overall (about 15th).  Nowhere near my top 10 plan.

So, a bad day one saw me with a 1 minute 30 second deficit I had no chance of getting back without a break away I was not capable of.  The plan next year is to get top 5 in B grade.  NO getting dropped on stage 1, that is for certain.  32.4kph for 45.16km.  Av HR 146bpm.

Back to race list

Tags: 3 day tour, combine, latrobe city cc, picnic point, wellington cc

21/10/2006

By Rob Monk

The A graders left the B grade bunch as planned at the end of the second lap and Luke Hanley decided to stretch his legs up the hills. James Henry and Dave Salton chased him down the first three times he attacked but the fourth time Dave found the going too tough. James locked onto Luke’s wheel for the run to the line but Luke had plenty left in the tank and decided a solid 2km individual pursuit would be the best way to finish the race. He snaked all over the road which reduces the drafting effect as he tried to shake James from his wheel. With 500 meters to go the elastic broke and Luke rode away from James for a well deserved win. Dave Salton came in third.

In B grade visiting St.Kilda CC member Graeme Coull looked strong from the start and had no trouble keeping up with Chris Beales as he charged up the hills. The bunch stayed together for most of the race as Mark Oakley-Brown and Coull were strong enough to reel in the attacks of Beales. Thommo sat on waiting for the bunch sprint that usually eventuates on this course. Thommo looked well positioned in the sprint but Coull was too quick and took out the race in strong fashion. Thommo was second and Chris Beales finished third.

The C graders rode together for the first of three laps but the second time up the picnic point hill saw the end of Dave Axford. Dave Baillie looked too strong on the hills but waited for Graeme Patrick and Steffi Hofer each time so he could attack on the flat and make them work even harder. Graeme repeatedly chased Dave down with Steffi sitting on his wheel. At the end of the race this work proved the undoing of Greame. He cramped in the sprint to the line and Steffi “blew his doors off”. Her recent training on the velodrome has certainly added some kick to her sprint and she took out a strong win.

In D grade Jo Hanley made it 2 from 2 for the Hanley family. She was too strong on the hills for Pam Benstead, Tammy Patrick and Cy Monk.

Back to race list

Tags: picnic point, scratch

06/08/2005

Fine but windy conditions greeted the Warragul Cycling Club on the challenging Fishers Rd Circuit. The prestigious Tim McArdle Trophy was up for grabs. This race is contested annually and named in honour a Dr Tim McArdle, a member of the WCC who was killed while on a training ride. Given the recent events in Germany it is timely to remind both cyclists and motorists of the shared responsibility that have to look out for each other while on the road.

D Grade set off first with an 11 minute head start on A grade over the 40.8 km circuit. The group of six consisting of Steve Jackson, Paul Kennedy, Chris Herreen, Brendan Pridmore, Emma Beverage and Dave Axford completed their fist lap in 27:42 with only Steve finding the pace too much. The bunch broke up over the Fishers Rd wall the 2^nd time but they still had a reasonable lead on the chasers.

C grade set off 4.5 minutes in front of scratch and worked up the hill at a solid speed. The first casualty of the race was Simon Cuckson who broke a spoke after travelling less than 1 km. Steve Hall was back to defend the trophy he won last year and despite a lack of training he managed to keep up with the bunch for the first lap and a ½. C – Grades first lap was completed in the reasonable time of 24:25.

B-Grade consisting of Pete Finlayson, Chris Jones, Allan Beverage and Steve Twining started 2.5 minutes in front of scratch and flew around the first lap in 23.03. Every bike race has a pivotal moment; a time when the race is won or lost based on the decisions a rider makes. This week’s moment occurred on the Fishers Rd wall at the start of the 2^nd lap. Finlayson was the strongest rider in the B grade bunch and he made the key move in the race on the wall. He realised his fellow B-graders, Jones and Beverage were struggling so he made an all or nothing jump across to the C –grade bunch as they neared the Fishers Rd Decent. He made it across and with Col Brown, Bill Murray, Paul Yeatman and Michael Pridmore they worked together down the hill into the savage headwind. Rob Monk, Steve Hall, Alan Beverage and Chris Jones chased hard but made no impression on this group. The gap opened up and the race for them was lost.

Finlayson and the 4 C-graders hauled in the D graders on the Picnic Point hill the 3^rd time up and knew they only had to stay away from A grade to win the race.

The scratchies Jason Kruger, James Henry, Thomas and Steve Sandner and Geoff Thompson completed their fist lap in 22:56. They caught the remnants of the C, and B grade bunch Rob Monk, Steve Hall, Chris Jones and Allan Beverage on the wall the third time up and chased hard but the combined B and C grade group finished 56 seconds in front of them.

Pete Finlayson took out the race blowing away the C Grades in the final sprint. Second was Paul Yeatman from Bill Murray and Micheal Pridmore. The A grade bunch was led home by Geoff Thompson in the fastest time of the day.

Back to race list

Tags: handicap, picnic point