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By Peter Winton
Sunday, 24 March started with a fine day and a light north wind, something we've been missing in our time trials all summer. 16 riders journeyed to Red Cliffs for the rush to the Colignan Store and back. C grade riders enjoyed 10 kilometres less by having a turn-around at Nangiloc.
Ralph Morrish stepped up to the starter for the first time in a long while and he along with Kevin Gregory made up some good numbers in our C grade contingent.
The A/B group went out first and soon hit up a quick rhythm of 45kms/hr. All riders with itchy fingers on levers, anticipating a sudden attack from Kevin Tankard, the "master".
It was Ian Brade showing good form and testing his fitness by leading the way early, pushing the downwind speed up into the mid 60's. Ian managed to maintain his front riding tactic for considerable periods, mounting 2 break-away efforts. Unfortunately for Ian, the big engine only let him go as far as he prepared to and then he'd bring him back.
Ian, in his enthusiasm overshot the turn-around point with a couple of riders going with him. In a demonstration of fair play all riders regrouped shortly after with Welsh and Winton having a bit of a laugh about it all and enjoying their 5 nano-seconds on the front.
Winton was the first to struggle due to dehydration in the warming north wind and a puncture saw him off to the side. At the 57 kilometre mark the race began with Tankard, Wells and and Davis away by 50 metres from McNally, Lokan, Brade and Wightwick. At 5kms to go McNally made a last ditch effort to get on. He dragged Lokan up and closed the gap. Wells was flumoxed by the sudden appearance of Lokan after he presumed he (Lokan) had gone for the day.
This effort to reach the breakaway had exhausted Lokan and McNally and left behind Brade, Anderson and Welsh. In the wash up the big engine was supreme in holding out the ever promising Wells and the never-say-die McNally.
In B grade Mark Phillips capitalised on a tired Ken Joy (from the previous evening crit performance!). Joy only proving that "steel is real" when it's fresh! Ralph Morrish a very creditable third.
Overall 1 K Tankard 2 D Wells 3 R McNally 4 A Wightwick 5 J Lokan A grade 1 K Tankard 2 R McNally 3 A Wightwick 4 D Davis 5 I Brade B grade 1 D Wells 2 J Lokan 3 N Welsh 4 A Anderson 5 P Winton C grade 1 M Phillips 2 K Loy 3 R Morrish 4 R Doyle 5 K Gregory
Australian results from the past week |
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