Results and Reports for February 2

Qantas Cup, National Track Series

Sydney, Australia, January 29, 2000

Courtesy of Graham Fowler

Results

Men's Sprint Challenge

1. Sean Eadie (NSW)
2. Darryn Hill (WA)
3. Ryan Bailey (WA)

Women's Sprint Challenge

1. Lyndelle Higginson (VIC)
2. Michelle Ferris (Vic)
3. Rosealee Hubbard (SA)

Women's 500 Metre Time Trial

1. Lyndelle Higginson (VIC)	36.11 sec
2. Michelle Ferris (VIC) 	36.73
3. Rahna Demarte (Vic) 		36.90

Women's Points Race

1. Rochelle Gilmore (NSW) 	13 pts
2. Chelsea Zucker (SA) 		12
3. Sandra Smith (WA) 		8

Carnegie-Caulfield Criterium

Mulgrave, Australia, February 1, 2000

Courtesy of Mark Chadwick

Summer returned to Melbourne tonight, 30 C and a light North wind under clear blue skies. 160 riders met at Waverley Park in Mulgrave to race the 2km car park road circuit.

A grade’s 30 riders settled into a quick tempo early, bought back one or two early breaks and then the cream rose to the top. Three of the strongest riders in Victoria rode away from the bunch and established a half lap lead that lasted until the end. With blockers in the bunch, Baden Cooke, Robert Tighello and Stephen Pate got on with the job, cut the cash and rode it out. Guys of the caliber of Troy Clarke who spent 133 km behind the motorbike this morning seemed glad to have a mate up the road. James Taylor took fourth from the splintered remnants of the bunch.

Six men and a woman put B grade under pressure early as they gapped the bunch and stole the race. The workman-like break included Kathy Watt, who said after the race that "the boys were hammering" and "it really gave the ten speed a workout". After completing a track session earlier, the evening crit "finished the days training right off". As the escapees approached three laps to go with a solid 40-second lead , thoughts in the group turned to the finale. 18 year old Ryan Kelly of Mornington took the bit between the teeth at a lap and a half and bolted, leaving his tiring companions looking at each other. His solo victory will see him into A grade as might the placings of veterans David O’Leary and Russell Newnham, who finished ahead of Peter Gardiner. Trailing in at the rear of the group Watt appeared content to let the men fight out the sprint, as she is focusing on other pursuits for the moment.

Leon Berger made it two wins on the trot taking the top step from Mark Kinch in a big bunch sprint. The minor placings went to Jason Grant and Tony McGuragel. In the early stages of the race a group of ten gave every impression that another escape would meet success, however the size of the bunch (61 starters) left too many to chase and a sprint finish ensued.

D grade was all together at three to go after a snappy race where many small attacks were pounced on with vigor. Then, as everyone started to think about sprinting and trying to make position, away went Mary Rogers with John Groves working hard to share the pace. A few tried to match them but dropped back quickly. Rogers winning the sprint over an exhausted (or chivalrous?) Groves with Mick Braund and Ray Smith leading the strung out bunch home.

As an aside, Swiss rider Priska Doppman (Master-Molteni) is looking for a couple of weeks accommodation in SE Melbourne from this Sunday until the Tour de Snowy. If anybody can help she can be reached on 9797 2226.

Results

A GRADE 30 Starters 60 minutes + 3 laps

1 Baden Cooke
2 Robert Tighello
3 Stephen Pate 
4 James Taylor

B GRADE 40 Starters 60 minutes + 3 laps

1 Ryan Kelly
2 David O’Leary
3 Russell Newnham 
4 Peter Gardiner

C GRADE 61 Starters 40 minutes + 3 laps

1 Leon Berger 
2 Mark Kinch
3 Jason Grant
4 Tony McGuragel 

D GRADE 29 Starters 35 minutes + 3 laps

1 Mary Rogers
2 John Groves 
3 Mick Braund
4 Ray Smith

Twickenham CC, Winter Series #11

London, January 29, 2000

Courtesy of Larry Hickmott/David Hughes

The wind blew a gale for race 11 and in the warm-up (and yes it was warm...), many riders were openly saying to Doug Crow (Twickenham CC), that these are your type of conditions. How true those words were, because Doug Crow blitzed the field in a display of power that was awesome to witness. Behind Doug making it a 1-2-3 for Twickenham CC was Peter Swettenham and birthday boy Mick McManus.

McManus, who celebrated turning 47 during the week, put in a heroic display by starting off the action with Peter Noble (Team Sport and Publicity) who soon fell backwards to the bunch. McManus meanwhile soled on and was soon in the company of his team-mate Elite rider Peter Swettenham. Behind was a chase group of Jon Johnston (Festival RC), Mick Hill (Viking Wheelers) and Stuart Jackson (Heffs Cycles) and these riders were soon joined by Doug Crow.

Doug Crow then attacked caught the leaders and then went away on his own, seemingly going faster and faster as the race wore, putting a lap and a half between himself and the chase group contesting second. Behind the chase group, the main peloton split with Vince Freeman (Terry Wright Cycles) leading a group contesting 7th place behind the small chase group of Johnston, Jackson and Hill.

Yet again, it was the wind that split the field. The crosswind down the back straight was such that if you let a gap go (and plenty did that!), the group split and before you knew it, those behind were marooned. The lesson that all the riders witnessed though was that Doug Crow looks like making a very serious challenge on the BAR (British Best All Rounder - Time Trials) this year and those that under estimate his awesome potential will do so at their peril.

Results - 52 km

1.  Doug Crow (Twickenham CC) 
2.  Peter Swettenham(Twickenham CC) 
3.  Mick McManus (Twickenham CC) 
4.  Stuart Jackson (Heffs Cycles) 
5.  Jon Johnston (Festival RC)  
6.  Mick Hill (Viking Wheelers)  
7.  Vince Freeman (Terry Wright Cycles)  
8.  Jason Streather (Anglia Sport/Condor)
9.  Tom Smith (Twickenham CC) 
10. Paul Doherty (Heffs Cycles) 
11. Dave Griffths (Twickenham CC)
12. Lee Slaser (Cambridge)
13. Steve Jenks (Lea Valley)
14. Russell Scott (VC Meaudon)
15. Ben Baldelli (Cambrdige)
16. Larry Hickmott (Team Synergy)
17. Harry Webb (Twickenham CC)
18. Mario Manelfi (Old Ports)
19. Peter Noble (Team Sport & Publicity)
20. Rob Cranstone (VC Meudon)
21. Vince Halpern (Twickenham CC)
22. Dave Cowie (Twickenham CC)
23. Jez Cox (Twickenham CC)
 
Series overall after Race 11

1. Peter Swettenham (Twickenham CC)  		315 pts
2. Doug Crow (Twickenham CC)   			284 
3. Stuart Jackson (Heffs Cycles)  		276 
4. Paul Doherty (Heffs Cycles)   		259
5. Dave Griffiths (Twickenham CC)  		251
6. Mick McManus (Twickenham CC)         	239
7. Jason Streather (Anglia Sport/Condor) 	236
8. Bill Butterworth (Twickenham CC)  		203 
9. Peter Noble (Team Sport & Publicity)  	197
10. Mick Hill (Viking Wheelers)   		194
11. Larry Hickmott (Team Synergy) 		190
12. Vince Freeman (Terry Wright Cycles) 	189
13. Alan Leach (Team Sport & Publicity) 	159
14. Mario Manelfi (Old Ports)         		147
15. Russell Scott (VC Meaudon)         		146
16. Harry Webb (Twickenham CC)           	135
 
Kids Racing
Under 8
1. Damien O'Dwyer
2. Mathew Buckley
 
Under 10
1. Michael Wilmot
2. Andy Blair Hutchinson
 
Under 12
1 Daniel Manelfi
2 Jessica Stoddart
3 James Cranstone
 
Under 14
1. Jason Jones
 
Under 16
1. Chris Doel
2. Alistair Stoddart
3. Clara Beard