21/01/2006
The second race of Warragul Cycling Clubs summer criterium series was run in fine conditions on Warragul’s Burke Street circuit. Twenty eight riders faced a slightly delayed start when a young lady in a red car decided it would be amusing to steal the safety cones that had been set out on the course. This irresponsible motorist obviously has little concern for the safety of others. If she happens to be reading this the Warragul Cycling Club would appreciate its property being returned.
When racing did commence the A graders took off at a frantic pace. Matt Malacarne fresh from some solid summer training decided he would make it a genuine fitness test right from the start. The field sizzled around the first lap in 4 minutes 8 seconds. The pace proved too much for Tim Lee who chose to ride the race on the back of the B grade bunch. As soon as the paced slowed a little Jason Kruger picked it up again and rode a couple of laps on his own off the front of the bunch. Once Jason was reeled in Matt Malacarne attacked again and when Luke Handley joined him they established the biggest break of the race. They led by over 30 seconds but the bunch started to work together and slowly first Matt then Luke were caught. In the bunch sprint to the line Malacarne and Chris Hunt worked up the inside while Josh Akarsu worked the opposite side of the road. Josh and Matt fought out an epic finish with Matt winning by a tyre on the line. Josh was disqualified for crossing the white line and Chris Hunt finished strongly to take 3rd position.
Brett Miller looked strong from the start of the B grade race. He was always keen to be setting the pace and never seemed to struggle to cover any moves made by other riders. Ross Henry set up the most attaching move of the race on the second last time up the king street hill. He managed to spread the field out but when Miller, Pete Bailey and Steve Twining caught him they didn’t have enough energy left to keep the gap on the weaker riders. The field came back together and the last lap turned into a sprint prelude. Mark Oakley Brown provided his usual strong lead-out but when Big Brett Miller cranked it up past the caravan park no-one was going to catch him. Brett won from Steve Twining and Rob Monk just flicked Ross Henry on the line to take third spot.
Regular D graders Helmet Korab and Geoff Gatt decided to try their luck in C grade. Helmet found the going tough from the beginning but the rest of the bunch stayed together for the first 5 laps. Big Trav Parker was flexing his muscles going up the king street hill hard each lap. On lap five Matt Kennelly, Trev Rollinson and Geoff Gatt managed to get away from Parker and Neil Walker. Walker worked hard to bridge the gap but the 3 man breakaway was always going to be hard to catch. In the 3 up sprint Matt was too strong to Geoff with Trev in third position.
In D grade the girls dominated and finished in the podium positions. First across the line was Laurence Maskil, second Pam Bensted and third was Elizabeth Waston. Mitch Hynd will do better as he gets more race experience.
