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By Peter Winton
Sunday's criterium event yet again dogged with a small field and a fresh wind exported from
Warrnambool! Nevertheless those riders fronting up were greeted with the news of a points
score being thrown at them for something different.
Ken Joy and Michael Vaughan the lucky recipients of the limit mark sent out with a 1 minute 20 second break from Jack Lokan, Damian Wells, Michael Shipsides and former club great Geoff Marshall. Geoff new all about fresh Warrnambool winds having ridden in no less than seven Melbourne to Warrnambool's in his career. The reduced scratch field of Kevin Tankard and Rob McNally away 40 seconds later.
Sprints were set at every third lap over the 620 metre circuit, and with a headwind approach to the finish line each time there was surely to be some tired riders. The interesting aspect of the event was, yet again, Damian Wells, sprinting for the line a lap early on several occasions. Wily Geoff Marshall wasn't about to let him in on the secret too soon so Damian was left wondering why no-one else was making an effort over the last 60 or 70 metres. He soon found out! Finger pointing at the flag waver might see him with a more difficult handicap next time as well.
Ken Joy was busy racking up the points in the first 19 minutes before the scratch group caught up and rode on. Damian Wells and Rob McNally were putting on a good contest. Kevin Tankard, soon tiring of his entourage, found another gear and rode away. The judges were amusing themselves with whistle blowing and flag waving in efforts to keep warm and all the while pondering whether Kevin would have enough time to obtain the required points to win the event. In the end however Kevin's 69 points surpassed the ever-sprinting Wells on 62 with Ken Joy a creditable 58.
All members are encouraged to front up to Tuesday's Team Time Trial at Riverside and continue the tradition.
1 Kevin Tankard (A Grade) 2 Damian Wells (B Grade) 3 Ken Joy (C Grade) 4 Rob McNally (A Grade) 5 Geoff Marshall (B Grade)