Promoters wishing to submit results should send them to cyclingnews
By Malcolm Sawford
Fine weather brought fantastic fields to Glenvale Crescent this morning, with over 200 riders in the four competitive grades. A welcome addition for the first time in many years was reigning Olympic Madison Champion, Scott McGrory (Mapei). He joined a star-studded field of elite riders fine tuning for the Skilled Bay series, and with Jeremy Hunt (Big Mat), Nathan O’Neill (Panaria) Matt Wilson (La Francaise de Jeux) and David McKenzie (iteamNOVA) joining regulars like Brad Davidson (Saeco), Allan Iacuone (iteamNOVA), Robert Tighello (ACR), Kristjan Snorrason (SBR) and Hilton Clarke (SBR), the spectators were in for a great race. The entry fee has risen slightly since the last time McGrory raced on the circuit, but the race officials decided to invoke the Olympic Gold Medallist discount to allow him a start!
The 60 rider A Grade field was the biggest for a few years, and from the start, the pace was on, with the field strung out in single file for lap after lap. It was only a matter of minutes before the B Grade bunch was lapped for the first time (of many)! As the peleton shot past the B Grade bunch, it was obvious that most of the damage was being done by Queenslander Nathan O’Neill. The renowned time triallist has been a spectator at the Club’s races for the past few weeks, accompanying training partner Katie Mactier in her pre season training, but he seemed determined to make the most of his first competitive outing.
Before long the cream had risen to the top, and a group of about a dozen riders had gone clear, containing all the big names, including Simon Gerrans (SBR) and yet another local rider on the comeback trail, former Commonwealth Bank stage winner, Duncan Smith. With O’Neill still setting a fearsome pace at the front, riders soon began to be shelled from the break, with McGrory, McKenzie, Hunt and Snozza among the early casualties.
Eventually only Clarke and Tighello had the legs to stay with O’Neill, with Davidson and Gerrans continuing slightly ahead of the rest of the break. The trio would go on to lap not only the main field, but also what was left of the chase groups with over 15 minutes of the race remaining. Both Clarke and Tighello, who rejoined the Carnegie Caulfield Cycling Club today, are renowned sprinters, and as expected, they battled out the finish ahead of O’Neill with Clarke adding to his impressive list of wins for the season. Duncan Smith attacked the chase group a lap from home to claim the 4th place prize money.
B Grade also saw a record field, with 75 riders greeting the starter. With such a big field of evenly matched riders, it was unlikely that an attack would stick, but the pace remained high as the savvy riders were determined to maintain position near the front of the bunch.
Once again, the Elite Women demonstrated their tactical awareness and strength by holding positions amongst the first 20 places for most of the race. Louisa Hamilton-White (SBR) was determined not to go unnoticed this week, and could be relied on to bridge gaps when your scribe found his legs a little lacking! Justin Davis (O’Mara Cycles) has just taken delivery of his new Trek 5500, and was determined to see how fast it would go. He made repeated efforts to ride off the front throughout the race, but was unable to gain much distance until the closing stages of the race. Swapping turns with Brett Morton he began to pull away with 5 minutes remaining in the race, and for the first time there did not seem to be a willing worker at the front of the bunch to close things down.
A reaction finally came just before the completion of the hour, when the lead out men started to wind things up for the noted sprinters, and the pair were recaptured. With the majority of the field still in contention at the bell, and Adam Bonney once again driving the bunch with under 17 star Michael Ford (riding restricted gears) glued to his wheel, a winner could come from anywhere.
Mark Loecherer (Fitzroy Cycles) proved too quick at the line, ahead of Chris Boon (ACR), Ford and Darren Cathie. Naomi ‘Ren’ Williams (Tasmanian Institute of Sport) won the hotly contested Women’s event, ahead of Emma Rickards (SBR) and Katie Mactier(SBR) in her first race this summer.
The C Grade win was taken out by a rider who took advantage of the inexperience of some of the entry line officials (i.e. duped the handicapper!), Paul Logan. The race finished with a bunch sprint where Logan was too good for the genuine C Graders, lead home by first year rider Justin Foster, Andy Cameron and young Rob Doyle. Track star Liz Williams was again up there with the guys at the finish to take out the Women’s race.
D Grade was taken out by Ben Willey, a promising new face riding with the Club on a 3 ride permit. In the traditional D Grade bunch kick, Willey came in ahead of Daniel Young, Daniel Mayberry and Richard Gabler. Tess Downing finished just out of the places in 5th to take the Women’s prize money, pipping Meaghan Godfrey on the line.
All riders are reminded that Carnegie Caulfield racing continues next Sunday, which will be the last time a 2001 License will be valid. Be sure to renew your license as there will be no grace period in 2002!
A Grade - 1 hour + 3 laps - 60 starters 1 Hilton Clarke (Balance Carnegie Caulfield CC) 2 Robert Tighello (Balance Carnegie Caulfield CC) 3 Nathan O’Neill (Panaria) 4 Duncan Smith (Balance Carnegie Caulfield CC) B Grade - 1 hour + 3 laps - 75 Starters 1 Mark Loecherer (Northcote CC) 2 Chris Boon (Balance Carnegie Caulfield CC) 3 Michael Ford (Balance Carnegie Caulfield CC) 4 Darren Cathie (Balance Carnegie Caulfield CC) B Grade Women 1 Naomi Williams (TIS) 2 Emma Rickards (Balance Carnegie Caulfield CC) 2 Katie Mactier (Balance Carnegie Caulfield CC) C Grade - 50 mins + 3 laps - 39 starters 1 Paul Logan (SKCC) 2 Justin Foster (Balance Carnegie Caulfield CC) 3 Andy Cameron (Balance Carnegie Caulfield CC) 4 Rob Doyle (Balance Carnegie Caulfield CC) C Grade Women 1 Liz Williams (Brunswick CC) D Grade - 50 mins + 3 laps - 23 starters 1 Ben Willey (Balance Carnegie Caulfield CC) 2 Daniel Young (Balance Carnegie Caulfield CC) 3 Daniel Mayberry (Blackburn CC) 4 Richard Gabler (Chelsea & Peninsula CC) D Grade Women Tess Downing (Balance Carnegie Caulfield CC) Novice/Junior - 45 mins + 3 laps 1 Lachlan Hay (Balance Carnegie Caulfield CC) 2 John Fitz-Gibbon (Balance Carnegie Caulfield CC) 3 Helen Kynes (Balance Carnegie Caulfield CC) 4 Sun Hoe Choo (Balance Carnegie Caulfield CC)