Southbank Cycling Grand Prix Criterium - NE

Brisbane, December 7, 2002

2002 Results Elite Men's report & results Past winners

Graham gives the blokes a serve

By John-Michael Flynn in Brisbane

Queenslander Lorian Graham almost stole the show in the B Grade race
Photo ©: John-Michael Flynn

Mark Roland's victory in the Grand Prix Criterium at Southbank may have been seen as an upset, but there were just as many noses out of joint in the preceding B Grade men's race, which was almost won by a woman.

After being named in the AIS women's road team during the week, Queensland's Female Road Cyclist Of the Year Lorian Graham turned her back on racing the girls, opting for the toughest hit-out possible against an all-male field.

The twenty six year-old Queensland Academy of Sport rider was in the action early, brandishing the skills gained through a decade of go-kart racing, as she kept the blokes in check on the tight Southbank street circuit.

"Right now it's important for me to get the toughest race hitouts possible," said Graham. "If that means racing the blokes, then that's what I have to do, because when it comes time to race overseas, the competition's going to be even tougher."

The tenacious Queenslander proved she was every bit as good as her male rivals, almost stealing the race with a solo breakaway in the dying stages. Eventually run-down in a sprint finish, the top ten result was still enough to earn plenty of respect from the blokes.

"If I had someone to go with me when I broke away it might have been a different story," Graham said after the race. "But still, what I came her for was a hard race and that's what resulted, so in terms of the bigger picture it shows everything is on track."

Graham's training schedule is centred on next month's national road titles in Victoria, where the Queenslander won't be content with anything less than a podium performance in the women's road race.

Photography

Images by John-Michael Flynn

Robbie McEwen thirsty for a win before the start.
Baden Cooke engages in some pre-race talk with his FdJeux.com team-mates.
A star-studded line-up.
Mark Roland looks spent, but the win makes it all worthwhile.
"You want me to write what?" asks Robbie McEwen.
Robbie McEwen looking fit and tanned.
Up-and-comer David Betts looks the part in his national team kit.
Christian Lademann formed part of the lead break, eventually finishing second.
The peloton en masse during the early stages of the race.
Local boy Allan Davis was keen to show his colours in front of a home crowd.
Talented QAS rider Lorian Graham will join the AIS women's team in Italy next year.
Lorian Graham decided to race amongst the men in the B Grade race for the best workout possible.
Queenslander Lorian Graham in amongst the blokes in the men's B Grade race.
Lorian Graham rides within herself in the middle of the peloton.
Brad McGee buckles up.
"Hey, let's stuff this race and just undo and do-up our helmets all day long!" thinks Brad McGee. No such luck, Brad.
Allan Davis prays for a win.
Second place-getter Christian Lademann looking very pleased with himself.
Mark Roland gives a post-race interview to the media.
The winning smile of Mark Roland.
"Ummm... I dunno," says Mark Roland when thrown a doozy of a question.
David Betts has has got the beefy arm action happening, too.
David Betts was very satisfied with making the break and the podium.
Matt Wilson shares a joke with one of his FdJeux.com team-mates.
Matt White is all horsepower.
Robbie McEwen focuses on the race ahead.
Matt Wilson's boyish face belies the toughness of the sport.
Robbie McEwen, up close and personal.
Robbie McEwen's expression hidden behind his Oakleys.
Mark Roland leads the winning break.
Mark Roland surges to an emphatic victory.
Allan Davis wins the consolation sprint for fifth place.

Images by Heath Carney

Hi speed cornering
An early break goes clear.
The main bunch were vigilant in chasing down breaks during the early stages of the race.
Naturally, one of the best seats in the house is dedicated
With the locals keen to show off in front of a home crowd, the men's race got underway at a cracking pace and never let up.
After eight minutes, the tone of the race was set, with a lead group of four opening up a 10 second lead from a small chase group including Matt White, with the peloton just a couple more seconds behind.
With the first four places all but accounted for, a number of small breaks opened up over the final 10 minutes, with Queenslander Allan Davis was the first to go.
It wasn't Robbie McEwen's day today, but that didn't stop the locals cheering him on.
The lead group of four riders.
Bundaberg rider Allan Davis lurks in the background, waiting to pounce.
Baden Cooke leads Matt White in the closing moments of the race.
Once the lead break lapped the field, the peloton knew they were fighting for fifth.
Things stayed pretty tight until the bell lap.
As the finish line approached for the main bunch, local rider Allan Davis put the hammer down to take fifth place.
Matt Wilson rides in the peloton, followed by Cameron Hughes.
Go Alby! Allan Davis takes a flyer.
With speed and strength being the order of the day, there were plenty of casualties.
The lapped riders were given the three laps to go call to allow the lead group to contest the race victory.
Spectators (and the cameras) get ready for a photo finish.
Bradley McGee gives the obligatory post-race interview.
Ditto for Robbie McEwen.

Images by James Worrell

Plenty of action in one of the races earlier in the day.
Baden Cooke (C) with Robby McEwen (far R) in the peloton.
Local Brisbane cycling identity Robby McEwen in action.
Allan Davis, Jarrard Poad and Matt White attempt to chase down the breakaway group.
The last the peloton saw of the breakaway group.
Brad McGee drives the break of the day.
Local Flight Centre rider Mark Roland raises his arms in victory as winner of the elite men's race.

Images by Michael Gall

The women's race whiz past the front straight of Little Stanley St, South Bank, Brisbane.
B grade riders take the fast bottom corner.
B grade riders taking the bottom corner into Grey St.
No brakes!
The front straight of the hot dog-style course, Little Stanley St.
The B grade bunch.
B grade riders going wide on the bottom corner.
B grade bunch climb the false flat up the back straight of Grey St.
The Superscreen!
Baden Cooke relaxing before the main race.
Robbie McEwen looks ready, commenting how the next hour was going to hurt.
"When does this show start?" asks Robbie McEwen.
Looking down the main straight to the fast bottom corner of Little Stanley St.
Robbie, Brad and Baden warm up.
Brad McGee waiting for his chance to make a move off the front of the bunch.
Lifecycle riders working hard.
Brad McGee about to join the winning move.
And they're away! Brad McGee and the final three place getters make the winning move.
The break extends their lead.
The break working well together to gap the main bunch.
Baden Cooke polices the front of the main bunch covering any counter-attacks.
The break continues to extend their lead down the main straight...
... while the main bunch chases hard.
"Man, these guys are flying!"
The break is out of sight of the main bunch.
It looks like the break are going to lap the field...
Almost there!
Caught! The four break away riders lap the main field. Lapped rider Baden Cooke leads FDJeux.com team-mate Brad McGee, followed by lapped rider Adrian Booth.
Fourth-placed McGee is mobbed by his fans.
The race according to Brad McGee.
"Well, it happened like this, see…" says Brad McGee.
"... and then it went like this…"
Baden Cooke collects his prize.
Baden Cooke collects his prize.
Robbie McEwen collects his prize.
Robbie McEwen post-race.
Brad McGee collects fourth place.
The winner's podium.

Results

Elite Men
 
1 Mark Roland
2 Christian Lademann
3 David Betts
4 Bradley McGee
5 Allan Davis
6 Robbie McEwen
7 Baden Cooke
8 Jeremy Betts
9 Tony Mann
10 Daniel Newnham
 
Women
 
1 Wendy Habermann
2 Diane Monk
3 Bridget Evans
 
B Grade Men
 
1 Jeff Harris
2 Todd Dawson
3 Nathan Seage
4 Daniel McCulloch
5 Tim Bartlett
 
C Grade Men
 
1 Shane Meulling
2 Tim Golding
3 Brendan O'Connell

Past winners

2002 Matt White (Aus) US Postal