15/05/2016
By Rob Monk
The second race of the DJ Salton Tiling and Waterproofing series was held over the Shady Creek course on Sunday in fine but windy conditions.
The A grade bunch stayed together for lap one and two with only Brett Kennedy having some time off the front. Brett who descends better than he ascends wanted to get a head start up the hill and it worked for him on lap 2.
Shane Stiles softened up the legs with some attacks before the intermediate sprint. Kennedy won this easily after Jayden Manintveld was pocketed as Kennedy jumped. Stiles and Manintveld put some pressure on near the top of the climb on lap 3 and Monk and Kennedy were slightly gapped. Chris Joustra and Jacob Riley worked hard on the decent to make contact with Stiles and Manintveld and this quartet had a gap and they rode away. Monk and Kennedy joined Joe Patrick and Brett Rollinson to give chase but were unable to make up any ground. Rollinson called it a day early and Monk was dropped on the hill the last time up. The leading four combined well and stayed together until the finish. As usual Chris Joustra jumped early in the sprint and Stiles was quick to cover him. This allowed Jayden to fly up the inside and put a gap in Stiles. Jayden was first with Shane second. Joustra was third and Jacob fourth. Brett Kennedy and Joe Patrick rolled in 3 minutes later.
The B grade race was a pedestrian affair early. Jason Tubnor and Ross Henry did much of the pace making. In the intermediate sprint Graeme Parker was too quick for Jason Tubnor. On lap 3 Pete Whelan rode away in the cross wind. Graeme Parker was able to ride across to Whelan on the hill and the pair worked together to the finish on lap four. Pete took a well-deserved win with Graeme in second. Thommo won the bunch sprint for third from Gary Olson and Jason Tubnor.
The C grade race was a bit of a mis-match. Young visitor Lochie Mushet was way too good. He won the intermediate sprint from Daniel Bishop. He then rode away on the hill and caught B grade. He was that far in front that he noticed he’d dropped something so he turned around to pick it up and was still in front by the time the others caught him. He won easily. Daniel Bishop sprinted well for second. Mark Mason just passed Neil Walker on the line to take fourth and Pete Bailey was fifth.
Racing returns in two weeks on Sunday 29th of May at Cloverlea.
