18/08/2007
Big fields turned out for the Gippsland Club combine races hosted by the Warragul Cycling Club on Saturday. The race consisted of laps of the Darnum Circuit followed by a quick ride down to Cloverlea for the finish.
A strong A grade bunch composed of Latrobe Valley and Warragul riders got off to a brisk start thanks to the now familiar Shane Styles attack off the line. Shane had pulse rates racing and all riders strung out after just half a lap. Eventually he was brought back to the field but his efforts had separated Phillip McNeill from the bunch. James Henry and Shane worked together to establish a break on the third lap. This acceleration eliminated Latrobe Valley duo Ash Lucas and Andrew McKernan from the main pack. Further acceleration from Shane, James and Kane Walker made it a five way race to the line. Shane led out the sprint and looked to have a winning break with 50 meters to go but tired quickly and a perfectly time throw on the line saw Kane Walker take the race by a tyre. Latrobe rider Jamie Johnson rode strongly to take third place.
In B grade 10 riders started and remained together for most of the race. Trev Rollinson tried to stir the younger riders up with a move off the front on lap 3 but the bunch was not letting anyone get too far up the road. Paul Yeatman, Dave Bailey and Steve Muggeridge did most of the pace making throughout the race. In the run to the line Steve and Col Brown set an honest lead out pace on the front. Shannon McCurley was one of the first to jump for home. With 50 meters to travel Matt Kennelly made a rare appearance at the front of the pack and showed everyone a clean pair of heels. He flew away for an easy win. Paul Yeatman flashed home for second and Rob Monk tipped out Brett Williams by inches to take third spot.
The C grade field of nine riders from three clubs did four laps of the Darnum Circuit before heading for Cloverlea. Norm Grey from Wellington cycling club and Gordon Foster all the way from Darwin were keen to force the pace from the start. They set a tempo which had Dave Axford in trouble on lap 3 and then Paul Kennedy in trouble on lap four. Neil Walker forced the pace on the hills but the visitors were just too strong in the sprint. First Gordon Foster from Darwin, Second Norm Grey from Wellington and Neil Walker was the first Warragul rider home in third spot.
Next week’s race is a Picnic Point and all members should note the start time is now 1.30 pm. See you there.
