Results and Reports for February 8

Leongatha Track Cycling Carnival

Victoria, Australia, February 5, 2000

Courtesy of Gerard Murphy

*Note: Gerard is definitely one of our youngest contributors, aged 12

Olympians shine in brilliant performances

Gary Neiwand, Ben Kersten, Jobie Dajka and Lyndelle Higginson thrilled the huge crowd at the Leongatha Velodrome on Saturday night with their skill and speed. A fantastic night of racing with something for everyone, under 11 through to masters, tandem racing, the lot, and $14,000 in prize money. Itıs no wonder this carnival is regarded as one of the best in Australia.

Kelvin Johns Retravision 2000m Wheelrace

Ben Kersten, Stephen Pate, and Baden Cooke started off scratch and soon caught Adrian Sansonetti, Todd Wilksch, Ashley Sheard and Brent McCaig to form a strong backmarkers bunch. A big bunch was formed in the middle of the feild but they were soon caught by the backmarkers after Sansonetti did a huge turn at the front and brought it back incredibly fast.

The frontmarkers had gotten into a well coordinated group and never looked like being caught, until Pate got to the front with 3 to go and brought back the middle bunch, after Niewand had swung up after his massive turn. Pate swung up with 500m to go and it was left to Gareth Atkins, Ben Kersten and other middle mark riders who grabbed the wheel. With Atkins not making enough ground Kersten flew around him and went after the leaders. He was absolutely flying as he caught the coming into the finishing straight to take the $1000 dollars with a two hand salute.

Sid Patterson Memorial Men's Sprint Derby

An outstandingly strong field for this event with Jobie Dajka, Gary Niewand, Ben Kersten, Troy Clarke all competing in the final. Troy Clarke jumped getting the bell, putting 50 metres into them. Kersten reacted and Dajka grabbed his wheel. Just as Kersten was going to catch Clarke coming into the home straight, Dajka came out nowhere to win in a close finish followed by Kersten and Niewand.

Devondale Smart Milk Keirin

With Ben Kersten, Brent McCaig, Gary Niewand, Jobie Dajka, Stephen Pate, Joel Leonard, Troy Clarke and Todd Wilksch all riding, it was destined to be an awesome stand-out event with $1000 prizemoney at stake.

Niewand was totally boxed in with nowhere to go after the bike came off with 1 and a half laps to go (as this is a 400m velodrome). With 200m to go he was second last, but with one of the most magical performances ever seen at any cycling event in the world, Niewand came from an impossible position to win with his hands in the air when 20m from the finish line, AWESOME.

Bridge Dairy Victorian Open 20 km Motor Paced

The pace was furious from start to finish in this traditional event. Stars like Pate, Matt Allan, Troy Clarke, Ashley Sheard, Brent McCaig, Darren Young all eager for their first win of the day. Riders were dropping like flies with 15 laps to go and there were only 10 left to compete in the sprint as Matt Allan burst from the pack to win the $500 and sash from Darren Young and Joel Leonard.

Breaka Junior Under 17 Victorian 8 km Motor Paced

This is the most sought after race on the junior calendar with $180 and a sash for first place. Past winners include Shane Kelly, David McKenzie, Luke Roberts, Dylan Boone and Brett Lancaster. Victorian star Mark French rode away from the strong bunch to blitz them by 50 metres.