10/01/2009
Warragul Cycling Club members assembled or the first race of 2009 at the new time of 9.00am on Saturday morning. The club will use the early start time in January and February to avoid the heat of the day.
The heat of the race in A grade was lessened as young guns James Henry and Kane Walker were in Ballarat competing in the Australian U23 championship. This meant Shane Stiles had fewer riders to play with on the 6 laps of the Bonlac circuit. A and B grade combined and stayed together for most of the first five laps. Stiles could not contain himself though and took off before the bell. He had established a 43 second gap at the bell and Thommo made sure the boys worked together to try to chase him down. At the finish Stiles led by just over a minute. Thommo finished strongly to take second spot while the ever reliable Paul Yeatman took out third claiming slipping gears. Then followed Simon Baxter, Tristan Marut and Matt Kennelly.
In C grade the bunch stayed together for the first 3 laps. Geoff Gatt was showing some form and Paul Kennedy was showing he’d had a good Christmas. Paul was first to be dropped. On lap four Rob Monk put in the first attack of the race. Only Dave Bailey was able to go with him as Gatt and James Lalor could not bridge the gap. Dave and Rob rode strongly for a lap and Rob again tried to get away. Dave would not be discouraged and fought his way back again. Rob picked up the pace again on Sturs Road and this time managed to stay away to the finish. Rob first by 20 seconds from Dave, Geoff a further 35 seconds back, then James and Paul.
In D grade Dave Axford took on the Patrick Family. The group stayed together for the first 2 laps until Tammy picked up the pace and Renee just could not keep up. Next to go was Joe Patrick who found the slow rise past the Darnum footy ground too much. Dave thought he had the better of Tammy after getting in front of her in the finishing straight but Tammy fought back to take a strong win. Dave second, Joe third and Renee forth.
