23/07/2005
The Warragul Cycling club race this week was a handicap around the tough Fisher’s Road circuit. Handicapper Staff Duncan was under pressure to get it right this time after the last handicap race where the finishing order was exactly the same as the order he sent the riders off in. Staff learnt from his mistakes and this time produced a thrilling race for all.
D Grade set off first with a 12 minute start on the scratch Riders. Geoff Gatt and Brendan Primore would be chased for the majority of the race.
The large C grade bunch were very confident before the start but with only 3.5 minutes on A grade and 3 laps of the circuit to cover they would really need to ride hard from the start. The C Grade bunch worked well together but were surprised and shattered when Pete Finlayson and Pete Bailey from B grade caught them before the end of the first Lap. Staff had a last minute rethink on the handicapping and set the 3 B Grades off only 1 minute after C grade. They went into pursuit mode, determined to wheel in C grade in a hurry. Their first lap was completed in 22minutes 34 seconds. Only 5 seconds slower than A grade.
A grade set off 2.5 minutes after B grade and Chris Beales, Jason Kruger, Geoff Thomson and Peta Mullins knew a long and hard chase was in front of them.
The combined B and C grade bunch took some time to get organised but after the 2nd time up the wall B Graders Bailey and Finlayson had dropped Paul Yeatman, Brett Millar, Col Brown and Bill Murray. The only C – graders to stay with them were Rob Monk, Dave Baillie and Michael Pridmore. The group worked together for most of the 2nd lap. The 3rd time up the wall saw the end of Michael Pridmore and the strength of Bailey and Finlayson saw them doing most of the work. They caught the last of the D grade bunch, Brendan Pridmore just as they turned onto Lardner’s track for the last time.
With 4km to go to the finish A graders Geoff Thomson, Chris Beales and Jason Kruger roared past the surprised leading group. The combined B and C grade bunch were quick enough to react and latched onto the back of the A grade train. A sprint finish looked inevitable but not until one final attack by the combative Chris Beales as the bunch made the turn back onto the old Princess Highway . This acceleration saw the end of Dave Bailey and the sprint bunch was down to 6.
Chris Beales was content to lead them out. Jason Kruger and Chris were first to jump for home and Rob Monk should have known better than to lock onto the wheel of Kruger. The experienced sprinters had a clear run down the middle of the road and Pete Finlayson took out a deserved win from Pete Bailey and Geoff Thomson. Rob flicked the hard working Chris Beales for 4th spot and Jase Kruger brought up the rear of the lead group. Thommo had the fastest time of the day.
Staf the handicapper was pleased with the results. A bunch sprint containing a mix of A B and C grade riders always makes for an enjoyable handicap. Well done Staf.
