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By Garry Doughty
The prestige of being the next Club Criterium Champion, be it in A, B or C grade, was on the 35 riders' minds Sunday morning. The races were held on the 600m Warilla course with A grade riding 30 minutes plus 3 laps, B grade 25 minutes plus 3 laps and C grade 20 minutes plus 3 laps.
Adam Rourke left no one in doubt of his pursuit/time trial abilities when he lapped the entire field to take out the A grade/Club Champion event.
As usual C grade started the day's proceedings. Peter Vesel immediately attacked and was away for about 4 laps. When the bunch brought him back Alan McClelland launched himself off the front of the bunch, his effort also lasted 4-5 laps.
For the remainder of the race no one was able to get more than 50m up the road without an immediate reaction coming from the bunch. In the final few laps the better credentialed sprinters gathered at the front of the bunch.
As the bell sounded for the last lap, Joe Chiaverini exploded off the front of the bunch and immediately put 50m into the bunch. The gap increased down the back straight. Rebecca Borgo, probably the gun sprinter in the bunch, had been caught by surprise, by the time she wound it up Chiaverini had the win in the bag. Borgo crossed the line in second place with Andrew Telford just edging Peter Evans out for third place.
Chiaverini was very pleased with the win and said it great to win especially as his brother's family business Caesar's is the Club sponsor.
The B grade race was very active right from the start when Phil Ciufo and Marcus Arnold put 100m into the bunch on the first lap, they were away for 5 laps.
When they were caught Joe Periera set off. On the following lap when he was caught a dangerous looking group consisting of Ben Lohse, Grant Farr and Jason Johnson broke away. The break looked very promising for them when Pereira and Jeff Gray joined them but they were brought back several laps later by some concerted chasing from Patrick Delahunty, Ciufo, Jason Johnson and Paul Hooper.
The attacks continued to be launched but each was nullified by the vigilant bunch. As the time approached the 25minute mark it looked like a bunch sprint was imminent. But when the 3 lap board was held out Hooper attacked and quickly put 150m into the bunch. He powered on all the way to the finish for a good win. The bunch sprint was very close with Johnson finishing a half wheel infront of Pulo for second and third respectively.
In an action packed race Richard Lorenc and Dave Russel attacked on the first lap. They were soon joined by Frank Tortorici. The three were away for about 6 laps, as the bunch came back up to them Tortorici attacked again. Russel quickly joined him, after about 4 minutes of maintaining a 200m gap Rourke bridged across. But the bunch brought them back again.
Rourke attacked at the 10 minute mark and quickly opened up a reasonable gap. Lou Palermo tried to bridge across to Rourke but after several laps went back to the bunch. After 14 minutes Rourke had half a lap.
Peter Jones and Russel were the next to try and bridge across to Rourke, their attempt lasted 3 laps. Tim Morris tried his hand but wasn't successful. With 14 minutes left to race Brendan Cato set off after Rourke, he gained about a third of a lap on the bunch.
At the 20 minute mark Rourke finally made contact with the bunch. That just left Cato in front. Russel and Jones tried once again to escape but to no avail. Next to try were Palermo, Rourke and Tortorici, Morris closed that move down.
With four laps to go Dylan Forbes and Jones tried again, Jones went back to the bunch but Forbes powered on and finished third behind Cato with Rourke winning, one lap up.
The Club Christmas party, which was to be held next Saturday, has been cancelled. There will be an 18km time trial on Sunday morning instead. Volunteer marshals are required, please contact Garry Doughty on 42715533.
A Grade – 30min + 3 laps 1 Adam Rourke One lap behind 2 Brendan Cato 3 Dylan Forbes 4 Tim Morris 5 Peter Jones 6 Richard Lorenc 7 Dave Russel 8 Lou Palermo 9 Andrew Stewart 10 Frank Tortotici 11 Josh Wall DNF Frank Soto B Grade – 25min + 3 laps 1 Paul Hooper 2 Jason Johnson 3 Tony Pulo 4 Ben Lohse 5 Phil Jones 6 Joe Pereira 7 Patrick Delahunty 8 Grant Farr 9 Jeff Gray 10 Raf Moriana 11 Phil Ciufo 12 Marcus Arnold C GRrade – 20min + 3 laps 1 Joe Chiaverini 2 Rebecca Borgo 3 Andrew Telford 4 Peter Evans 5 Andy Shannon 6 Paul Dubois 7 Peter Kelly 8 Alan Mcclelland 9 Stephen Head FELL Wayne Farugia DNF Peter Vesel