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Thirty-three riders in all took part in the 41km scratch races last Sunday morning. The anticipated decimation of the bunches on the climb up the steep side of Marshall Mount hill didn't occur, it appears that quite a few riders have added a bit of hill work to their training schedule.
With so many riders having improved over the last few months the A grade bunch accounted for eighteen of the starters. A few of the more accomplished riders strutted their stuff with Mal Haigh and Peter Jones away at different stages of the race.
Paul Forrest regularly put the bunch under pressure with some very strong riding. Rob Calladine also had a dig and tried to get away with Dylan Forbes. As it turned out there were still sixteen riders in contention when it came to the sprint finish.
Jones just led a very tight bunch across the line, the minor placings went to Haigh and Forrest.
Even though on paper the B grade riders appeared equal in their capabilities that didn't stop Peter Evans and Joe Pereira from trying to get away from the bunch.
Evans rode strongly and put in several good attacks on the climbs and on the flats but the concerted efforts by the chasers brought him back each time. Brian Joyce and Lionel Covington also did a lot of work.
In a sprint that saw riders flicking from wheel to wheel and swinging from one side of the road to the other the victor was Tony Pulo from Covington and Pereira.
It might have had the least number of competitors in it but C grade race was very competitive. Sometimes when there are fewer riders then there in now where for riders to hide so they all have to share the work.
Dave Morris, Paul DuBois and Peter Kelly were all prominent throughout the race. Paul Kaye had another good ride following his tenth place in lat week's handicap and Terry Welsh was strong as usual.
In a very close finish three riders almost crossed the line as one. After deliberation from the judges the placings were Kelly, DuBois and Welsh.
Next week's race is a feature race over 41km. There will be a king of the mountain competition included in each grade, there will be prizes and cash worth over $250. Group 2 is to provide marshals but additional helpers are required, volunteers can contact Garry on 42715533.
Members are reminded that the Club presentation will follow a 27.5km scratch race on Sunday 17th of March.
A Grade 1 Peter Jones 1.03.36 2 Mal Haigh 3 Paul Forrest 4 Richie Lorenc 5 Grant Law 6 Josh Wall 7 Simon Gay 8 Mark Davis 9 Andrew Stewart 10 Adam Hotchkis 11 Paul Hooper 12 Lou Palermo 13 Rob Calladine 14 Dylan Forbes 15 Frank Tortorici 3.00 16 Gerard Donaldson 7.00 B Grade 1 Tony Pulo 1.09.26 2 Lionel Covington 3 Joe Periera 4 Joe Chiaverini 5 Neil Midgeley 6 Brian Joyce 7 Peter Evans 8 Jason Johnson 2.00 9 Rebecca Borgo C Grade 1 Peter Kelly 1.15.26 2 Paul du Bois 3 Terry Welsh 4 Dave Morris 5 Ian Kieley 6 Paul Kaye