23/08/2008
A small group of Warragul cycling club members contested a graded scratch race at the Fonterra circuit on Saturday. A cold south-westerly drove the occasional shower across the circuit. This meant only the hearty souls turned out to race.
Race director Shane stiles decided to combine A and B grade into a reasonable sized bunch. They would race over 5 laps or 40km. On lap one visiting LCC member Shane Tettingill lost contact with the bunch but Shane Stiles and Ash Lucus went back to get him and the bunch was soon back together. “Thomas the Tank Engine” Sandner is getting back into some race form so he was keen to attack. He had a few unsuccessful stints off the front but the bunch refused to let him get too far away. Passing the start finish line the last time Sandner finally found a breakaway partner. Improving junior rider Callan Barker enjoying his first A grade race found himself away with Thomas. The two worked together for most of the last lap and only a determined chase from the bunch brought them back at the top of Sthurs road. Big Ash Lucus was driving the bunch and Thommo even gave him a hand when it looked like Thomas may stay away. In the sprint for the line Lucus jumped hard and quickly established a good break. Shane Stiles dug deep though and worked across the gap to pull level with Ash 20 meters from the line. Shane even had some time for some individual leg training as he crossed the line to take out the win. Ash second Thommo third and Callan forth.
C and D combined but the bunch was quickly shredded as Rob Monk punctured 30 meters into the race and Aaron White pulled out with mechanical problems. This left James Lalor, Tammy and Renee Patrick and Dave Axford to ride the first lap together. Rob joined them on Sthurs Road after a quick tyre change. Rob and James left the others at the start of lap two and road together to the finish. James looked strong on the hills and Rob did better on the flat sections. James showed Rob a clean pair of heals in the uphill sprint to the line. He established a good break at the bottom of the hill and held it all the way to the top.
Tammy Patrick and Dave Axford had a close race in D grade with Tammy proving too strong at the finish.
