09/08/2003
Ominously the grey clouds swooped over the Warragul Township and threatened the cyclists with a miserable and cold ride around the Lillico circuit. With sufficient layers, 30 hardy souls decided to tackle the conditions that ultimately turned out benign.
A-Grade was first away in what was to eventuate as a last man standing, hit out between three of the clubs’ top riders.
By lap three the bunch had splintered. The first casualty of the consistent attacking was visiting Bairnsdale rider Adrian Johnston who found the class of the field too strong and withdrew from proceedings.
Pete Finlayson who found himself on the wrong side of a slower rider at the wrong time, worked to stay in touch but eventually pulled the pin in lap 4. Paul Rowse ran into trouble trying to bridge a Thomas Sandner attack spelling the end to his chances not far from the finish. This left Thomas, Scott Keeble and Shane Stiles to attack and counter attack while Gerard Donnelly hung in with some solid riding.
The finish promised to be a dogfight and when Shane launched an attack 200m before the turn onto the home straight the lactate levels soared. Thomas didn’t respond and Scott decided to push hard past him to chase. As Shane’s legs popped on the second of the hills towards the finish, Scotty seized the moment, found the big ring and finished off.
First, Scott Keeble (1.26.03), second Shane Stiles, third Thomas Sandner and fourth Gerard Donnelly. Paul Rowse completed a solid ride less than three minutes later.
B-Grade hosted a field of nine but it was a puncture to Chris Beales that reduced that to eight in the first lap. Everyone looked strong early in the race with Matty Malacarne, Danny Dilger and Ross Henry spending some time at the pointy end.
Darren Williams who was mixing it up early fell off the pace late in lap 3 and it was in this lap that Ross Henry’s aggressive pills finally kicked in. With Ross cranking it up on the hills it was left to Brett Miller, Justen O’Connor and Matty to try and shut him down.
Colin and Danny lost touch but the Dilger dug deep and rejoined, even countering yet another Rosco attack.
The final lap was much of the same, Ross attacking and the bunch reeling him back. Garry Wishart took his chances on the final two hills but it was big Brett Miller who smashed up the final climb to hit the line just ahead of Matty, Ross and Justen (1:10:49). Danny and Garry crossed a short time later followed by Colin and in due course Darren.
C-Grade’s mix of youth and experience was an exciting affair with the experienced Vic Spunner preferring to go at his own pace while a young James Henry served it up to the Bunch on the first lap (it stayed that way for a lap and a half).
It would prove a valuable learning experience for James as he failed to gain ground on a group that worked well together. The bunch was content to let him dangle in the wind expending his energy before deciding to reel him in on the third and final lap.
Unsuited to the climb right before the finish Rob Monk was hoping the extra cross section of muscle would be enough to cover the lean and light Michael Pridmore. It wasn’t to be however as Michael pulled a one second advantage on the line (56:23).
A tired James crossed twelve seconds later followed by Ian de Bruyne. Monique Handley and Ian Walk rolled across 10 seconds later. In typical gritty stile, Vic finished only a few minutes down having ridden most of the way on his own.
D-Grade was a quiet affair with only three riders braving the conditions. Brendan Pridmore had some mechanical difficulties and retired early leaving Glenda Pridmore and Kym Fisher to ride a strong and steady pace. Kym lapped just ahead of Glenda and finished in a time of 1:05:37 a few minutes ahead.
The Juniors completed one lap of the circuit with some excellent rides from David de Bruyne, Brendan Pridmore, Sam Atkinson and despite suffering a cold, Zoe Atkinson.
Racing next week is at Cloverlea.
