22/05/2004
It was a D grade day-out at Saturday’s Warragul Cycling Club handicap, as the group took full advantage of a large field of riders, improving average speeds and generous handicap time to storm home 5 minutes ahead of the chasing fields. In overcast and windless conditions, 27 riders ventured to Cloverlea to complete four laps of the Gainsborough circuit.
With race director and handicapper Staf Duncan hiking through the Appalachians, club volunteer Jake deBlauw was left the unenvious task of designating handicap times based on notes from previous races. The first bunch, consisting of Josh Guppy, Brendan and Glenda Pridmore set off with a generous 23 minute buffer on the scratch riders. However, the threesome’s pace was unevenly matched, and their bunch quickly became a strung-out line of solo time triallists. Brendan Pridmore rode clear of his mother to complete his first lap in under 23 minutes and ahead of the scheduled start for the scratch riders, while Josh Guppy courageously continued alone, completing his first lap not far behind.
The eight-man D grade field set off to track down the limit markers some six minutes later. The team immediately formed a steady rhythm with all riders contributing to their share of the work load off the front. In-form riders and recent grade winners, including Dave Axford, Trent Brown, Bill Frew and Damian Brown were joined by improving youngster Shaun Coffee, time trial specialist Alan Hauxwell, a fresh legged Kym Spunner and race relisher Roger Bell. Their first lap was completed in a quick 18:58.
The C grade racers had to endure an eight minute wait until they could set off, and with a small five-man posse they had their work cut out. Their first lap was completed with the crew altogether and in a time of 18:19 – which on average was one minute, twenty seconds slower than necessary to reel in D grade. B grade began four minutes after the C bunch and with an equally small squadron to fire from. Their first lap gained thirty seconds on the C grade break as they crossed in 17:51.
A grade welcomed Caulfield Carnegie rider Boon Chia to their ranks but morale was shattered as they watched Brendan Pridmore sail past to complete his first lap before they had even departed. Disenchanted, but still eager for a good training ride, their first lap was completed in 16:43.
By the end of lap two, Brendan Pridmore continued to hold a small gap as the D grade bunch made inroads into his lead. Roger Bell and Glenda Pridmore were early casualties of the D grade force, while Josh Guppy retired early. With C grade too cruisy for comfort, Glenn Fisher decided to employ ‘the big gear’ in order to make up time on D grade. His effort cost Steve Hall and Michael Pridmore off the back of the C pack. B grade lost Chris Beales due to his heavier spokes, leaving the four remaining riders to pull back another thirty seconds on C grade. A grade worked well, but was unable to cut the four minutes, fifteen seconds required off each D grade lap time in order to catch them.
The completion of lap three saw D grade continue their consistent pace, while A, B and C grade each slowed considerably. Both Kym Spunner and Shaun Coffee were victims of the D grade pace, each retiring mid-way through the final lap. A grade was also dealt a heavy blow in losing Boon Chia with a puncture. But by the Hazeldean Road back straight, it was evident that D grade would be alone at the finish, and the jostling for line honours began between what were team-mates for most of the race. Damian Brown took the bait to lead the bunch out on the home stretch, as Trent Brown and Bill Frew kept close to his wheel. With 150m remaining, Trent overpowered Damian, holding off Bill Frew to claim victory in his first handicap race. Following Trent and Bill were Damian, Dave Axford, Allan Hauxwell and Brendan Pridmore.
Sprint honours for the C grade bunch were taken by Luke Hanley, edging out Rob ‘Lance’ Monk by half a wheel. Their finish was some 4:51 behind D grade. A further three minutes behind C grade crossed the remaining group of combined B and A grade riders. First from this bunch to cross was B grade rider Charles Howlett ahead of A grade riders Thomas Sandner and Scott Keeble.
Next week’s racing will be back to the scratch race format at Lillico.
Results – Cloverlea Handicap (4 laps Gainsborough Circuit)
1 Trent Brown (+17 min)
2 Bill Frew (+17 min)
3 Damian Brown (+17 min)
4 Dave Axford (+17 min)
5 Allan Hauxwell (+17 min)
6 Brendan Pridmore (+23 min)
7 Luke Hanley (+9 min)
8 Rob Monk (+9 min)
9 Glenn Fisher (+9 min)
10 Roger Bell (+17 min)
Fastest Course Finisher:
Thomas Sandner (scratch)
