1999 Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic

Report: Drew makes it two By Jeff Jones, cyclingnews.com correspondent, with thanks to Dave Langley The 230 km Grafton to Inverell is one of Australia's best known and hardest races, with riders travelling to participate in it from all over the country. The key features of the race are a 17 km climb after the 65 km mark, that rises some 1000 meters over the Gibraltar Range, followed by a grinding uphill battle to Glenn Innes (160 km), often into a nasty head/crosswind. Then there is the ascent of Waterloo range about 10 km later, followed by a downhill stretch before the race's final climb of Wyre Gully with 20 km to go. Although Gibraltar range often leads to a selection in the bunch, the final decisive move of the race is often made up Wyre gully, with a small group getting away. The race rarely ends in a bunch sprint. It is a race for all comers - from A to C grade - and everyone takes special satisfaction if they finish. Often some of the grittiest rides of the day come from lower grade riders who have been dropped early but struggle to the finish against the elements by themselves. I've done this race a few times, as has Gerard, and we can both attest to the fact that it's very tough if you're on your own. The winners list has had it's fair share of international riders, who often used to use it as preparation for the Commonwealth Bank Cycle Classic - all big Aussie races seem to be "cycle classics". However, fewer of them ride it now because of it's position in the calendar. This years race saw Victorian rider, Jamie Drew become the first ever cyclist to win the Grafton to Inverell twice, after first winning in it 1997. The Victorian was justly proud of his achievement, and is looking now to maintain his form for the National Titles, to be held in a weeks time. The weather did not play a large role in the race outcome this year, with only a slight headwind over the range which was not strong enough to blow the pack apart. Drew, Steve Williams (Caravello) and Simon Gerrans (VIC) attacked from the pack at Wyre Gully, 20 km before the finish. They were aggressively pursued by Trent Wilson and Hank Vaassen, who gave a committed chase to bring them back. In the last few kilometers the lead group played a nervous game of cat and mouse, each refusing to chance a breakaway. Wilson took advantage of this and attacked, catching the leaders at the last roundabout 500 meters from the line. While Wilson came within 20 meters of the lead group, he was evidently too exhausted to maintain the sprint, with Drew able to hold off the attack in the final sprint. Williams came in second, and Gerrans placed third. Gerrans provided another landmark for the race, as the youngest rider to participate - the 19 year old is coached by Australian cycling legend Phil Anderson and surely has a bright future ahead of him. Allan Sieper from the ACT won the B Grade category, coming in just before the 6 hr 37 minute mark, and Rod Mason won C Grade in a little under 6 hours and 53 minutes. Our man Dave Langley (Easts) finished 20th in C grade - a very creditable result considering his lack of racing throughout the year. Results: 1999 Grafton to Inverell Cycle Classic, 230 kms A Grade 1. Jamie Drew (VIC) 6.26.45 2. Steve Williams (Caravello) 3. Simon Gerrans (VIC) 4. Trent Wilson (Parramatta) 5. Hank Vanssen (Sutherland) 6. Luke Stockwell (Hamilton) 6.27.00 7. Chris White (Caravello) 6.27.35 8. Allan Davis (Bundaberg) 6.28.07 9. Eddie Salas (Penrith Panthers) 10. Peter Milostic (Penrith Panthers) 11. Bart Hickson (Caravello) 12. Cameron Hughes (Parramatta) 13. Stuart Cowin (Victors) 14. Glenn Stojanow (Hunter Districts) 15. Ben Litchfield (Turramurra) 6.29.25 16. Denis Mungoven (ACT) 6.32.37 17. Bradley Mills (Caravello) 18. Klayton Smith (Easts) 6.35.47 19. Andrew payne (Penrith Panthers) 6.36.53 20. Tom Brook (Parramatta) 21. Wayne Anderson (Sutherland) 22. Stuart Terrell (Caravello) 23. Bradley Davidson (VIC) 24. Jay Stockwell (Hamilton) 25. Scott Davis (Bundaberg) 26. Matthew Tuck (VIC) 6.40.05 27. Geoffrey Cook (Sutherland) 6.43.20 28. Gary Heagney (MVCTC) 6.49.15 29. Brent McParland (Easts) 6.55.17 30. Lindsay Burke (ACT) 31. Paul McDonald (Turramurra) 32. Kelvin Martin (Caravello) 33. David Hiley (Manly) 6.57.15 34. Stephen Wooldridge (St George) 35. Marcel Bengston (USA) 36. John Forrest (ACT) 37. Darren Benson (Lidcombe) 7.02.02 Adina Watches King of the Mountains: 1. Wayne Anderson (Sutherland) Radio 2NZ/Inverell RSM Sprint King: 1. Steve Williams (Caravello) B Grade 1. Allan Sieper (ACT) 6.36.55 2. Alwyn Miller (Inverell) 6.55.20 3. Christopher Clarke (Manly) 6.57.16 4. Anthony Challinor (Parramatta) 7.01.49 5. Timothy Chalmers (Sutherland) 6. Robert Lewin (ACT) 7. Alez Havas (Caravello) 8. Ian Bradford (Sutherland) 9. Liam Kelly (Easts) 10. Paul Forrest (ACT) 7.15.02 11. Graham Rutter (CCCC) 7.26.47 12. Gerard O'Shea (Harlequin) 7.28.50 C Grade 1. Rod Mason (Hamilton) 6.52.47 2. Paul Wild (CATS) 3. Brendan Howard (Coffs Harbour) 4. Ian Walker (Murwillumbah) 5. Michael Hoynes (Inverell) 6. Jason Nunn (Hunter Districts) 7. Matthew Shaw (Port Macquarie) 8. David Harrigan (Coffs Harbour) 9. Rodney Stanton (UNI) 7.11.45 10. Lloyd Newell (NSW) 7.13.51 11. Brett Provost (CATS) 12. Jeff Dau (ACT) 13. Kevin Donovan (Sutherland) 14. Leonard Page (MVCTC) 7.20.20 15. Aaron Portass (Inverell) 16. Joe Grasso (Dulwich Hill) 17. Graham Creed (Illawarra) 18. Scott Hazleton (Armidale) 19. David Langley (Easts) 20. Kurt Polock 21. Peter Black (Easts) 22. Malcolm Tilse (Grafton) 23. Troy Lethlean (VIC) 24. James Steninga (Wynnum) 25. Ian Lovell (Hunter Districts) 26. Damien Power (Sutherland) 27. Ben Boyton (Penrith Panthers) 28. Sebastian Lambody (Sunshine Coast) 29. Bill Hall (Parramatta) 30. Garry Reardon (Grafton) 31. Colin Maciver (Armidale) 32. Nigel Maughan (Mackay) 33. Matthew Lamont (CATS) 34. Geoffrey Bust (Hamilton) 35. Michael Bray (Sunshine Coast) 36. Emma James (Turramurra) 37. James Sweeney (Penrith Panthers) 7.42.00 38. Phillip Holder (Inverell) 7.42.00 39. James Burke (CATS) 40. Julie Hooper (Easts) 8.00.00 41. Bryan Ferris (Sutherland) 8.10.00 42. Jodie Trill (Sutherland) 43. Harry Berkery (Sutherland) 8.16.25 44. David Green (CATS) 8.25.56 45. Brendan Pendergast (VIC) 8.29.52 46. Patti Whyte (HVVCC) 8.30.52 47. Georgie Harwood (Inverell) 48. Darren Halliday (Inverell) 49. Lloyd O'Hara (Goldstars) 50. Garry Boggs (Inverell) 51. Bryce Jamieson (HVVCC) 52. Harry Burnett (Sunshine Coast) 8.55.00 53. Maurice Mathe (HVVCC)