Goulburn to Sydney Cycle Classic- NE

New South Wales, Australia, September 24, 2006

Adelaide's Jongewaard powers to victory

Report by Kyle Mackay

The A grade men's podium
Photo ©: Kyle Mackay

South Australian Chris Jongewaard (Savings and Loans) won a dramatic edition of the Goulburn to Sydney Cycle Classic yesterday ahead of breakaway companions Stuart Shaw (Drapac Porsche) and Trent Wilson (Parramatta CC). Jongewaard, who represented Australia at the world mountain bike championships last month in Rotorua, New Zealand attacked in the final kilometers to win on his own at the race's traditional finish in Camden.

"I'd tested the waters early and those guys [breakaway companions Shaw and Wilson] had pulled me back a couple of times and it was good to just get over that last climb and onto the downhill run with five kilometres to go. I was feeling kind-of reasonable, so I thought I'd have a dig," said Jongewaard of his victory.

The trio had escaped from a group of fifteen riders just after the feed zone in Berrima after 80km and were never headed.

The race was held in precarious conditions in which the riders were buffeted by vicious wind gusts that reached over 100km/h on the descent of Razorback Ridge near the race's finish. Along the route, the hot winds fanned fires that destroyed four houses and burnt more than 1000 acres near Picton in the NSW Southern Highlands.

Second-place getter Shaw said the race was definitely affected by the wind. "The wind out there was really strong. I've never seen professional bike riders get blown five metres sideways before; they're normally quite aware of what's happening," recounted the Canberra rider.

How it unfolded

The riders
Photo ©: Kyle Mackay

A quality field that included the top-seven finishers from last week's Grafton to Inverell began under gradually deteriorating weather in Goulburn at 8.45am. There were several hairy moments in the race's neutralised section as the riders headed momentarily west and into the wind towards the Southern Freeway exit. As the race proper began, Drapac Porsche immediately strung out the field on the freeway heading east and into a crosswind.

A breakaway of three riders formed after 20km and the race split up into three echelons. Over the next 25kms, riders managed to bridge up to the breakaway until it swelled to a maximum of fifteen riders after 50km. It became clear that a winner would emerge from this group as those behind gradually began sit up.

The fifteen riders were Stuart Shaw and Dean Windsor (Drapac Porsche), Anthony Challinor and Jose Rodriguez (Clarence St Cyclery), Peter McDonald (FRF Couriers - Excelpro), Shaun Lewis and Richard Vollebregt (Southern Highlands CC), Bradley Mills and Robert Williams (Mace Up and Go), Peter Mueller and Chris Jongewaard (Savings and Loans), Cameron Hughes (Ffast CC), Peter Milostic (Penrith Panthers CC), Trent Wilson (Parramatta CC), and Sean Finning (SouthAustralia.com - AIS). Crucially, race favourite and the winner into Inverell last week, Robert McLachlan (Drapac Porsche), and Australian road champion Russell Van Hout (Savings and Loans) missed the break and were seemingly out of contention early, losing more than three minutes to the breakaway by the feed zone at Berrima at the 80 kilometre mark.

Darren Lapthorne (Drapac Porsche)
Photo ©: Kyle Mackay

Jongewaard appeared to miss his bidon in the feed zone, so he rolled through at speed followed by Shaw and Wilson. A few kilometres later the first KOM prize was taken by Jongewaard after the pace was raised on the hill by Wilson. Shaw stayed alert; "I remembered Trent attacking on the first KOM last year, so I was ready for his move. Over the top, the three of us realised we were away so we just put our heads down and really hammered it," said the sprinter in the red Porsche strip.

The final 80km saw the worst of the weather with dust-storms and lots of debris scattering the course, including a couple of fallen trees near the finish that interrupted the riders finishing outside of the top ten. Despite this, the front three powered on to gain nearly two minutes by Yerringbool with 50km to go before McDonald (FRF Couriers - Excelpro), Hughes (Ffast CC) and Finning (SouthAustralia.com - AIS) launched a counter-attack.

Aiden Lyons (Sutherland Shire CC)
Photo ©: Kyle Mackay

On the first ascent of the notorious Razorback for the second KOM prime, Jongewaard was not afraid to show his strength and attacked, leading his companions over the crest by 20 seconds, although he was rejoined on the descent. Behind, the chasing duo of Hughes and McDonald were at 3'38" to Jongewaard, while Finning had dropped back to the third group by the lower slopes that trailed by another three and a half minutes. On the third KOM over the same mountain, Jongewaard again took the honours to guarantee himself the mountains prize.

In the final kilometres, there was little Shaw and Wilson could do to contain the determined rider from Adelaide's Norwood CC. "I'm quite a good sprinter so my goal was to get to the finish with the three of us, however, Chris was really strong and he attacked with three or four kilometres to go and we just couldn't get him back, basically. Trent attacked with 400m to go and I countered and managed to get back onto his wheel, and that was the 2nd place move," said Shaw at the finish.

Despite only returning from racing for his Jittery Joes team in the United States nine days ago, and beginning the race feeling a little under the weather, Trent Wilson was disappointed initially at the finish to only finish third. "We sort of had a gentleman's agreement to ride to the finish, but Chris was the strongest and got the win. I tried to sprint at the end but couldn't get up," said Wilson.

Trent Wilson (Parramatta CC)
Photo ©: Kyle Mackay

Gary Sutton's young NSWIS squad had a tough but expected ride in the conditions yesterday. "Our guys were always going to suffer out there today," he said, "but it was a good experience for the boys."

On the day's winner, Sutton, himself a former winner of the event said, "The best man won today, without a doubt. A win's a win, but this is a very special win for Chris. Not only do you have to be physically and mentally strong, on a day like today you need to eat and drink right, and you also need to be very skilled in these types of conditions."

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Kyle Mackay/www.cyclingnews.com

The riders waiting for the off in Goulburn.
Darren Lapthorne (Drapac Porsche) punctured after just five kilometres.
Darren Lapthorne (Drapac Porsche) gets a quick change courtesy of the Excelpro spares crew as ex-pro Andrew Curro looks on.
Aiden Lyons (Sutherland Shire CC) makes his way through the convoy.
Darren Cash (Sutherland Shire CC) and Richard Vollebregt (Southern Highlands CC) enjoy a drink at the finish.
Stuart Shaw (Drapac Porsche) talks to vetran cycling journalist Rupert Guinness after his second place finish.
An early model safety bicycle
A penny-farthing bicycle - The finish in Camden was a cultural event.
Federal health minister Tony Abbott and a podium girl.
This politics game seems to work! Either that or Norsca really is great shampoo.
The A grade men's podium of Stuart Shaw (Drapac Porsche, 2nd), Chris Jongewaard (Savings and Loans, 1st) and Trent Wilson (Parramatta CC, 3rd).
Winner Chris Jongewaard (Savings and Loans) address the crowd with Tony Abbott in the foreground.
Maybe I should get myself one of these? Tony Abbott contemplates excepting Stuart Shaw's bike from GST.
Trent Wilson (Parramatta CC) looks the goods after his 3rd place.

Images by Thomas Joynt/www.thomasjoynt.com

The peloton rolling along the freeway.
The young NSWIS boys found the going hard amongst the professionals.
The sky darkens while the peloton is cagey.
World junior track champion Michael Ford (SouthAustralia.com - AIS) takes a drink.
Robert Mclachlan (Drapac Porsche) wears the national series leader's jersey.
Chris Jongewaard (Savings and Loans) has little time for the media on Razorback.
Trent Wilson (Parramatta CC) pushes through the crosswind on Razorback.
Cameron Hughes (Ffast CC) and Peter McDonald (FRF Couriers - Excelpro) battle hard on Razorback.
A chasing trio rolls through the picturesque southern highlands.
I think I might have a go here.
Off I go!
Better give it everything!
Chris has gone, what should we do?
I hope they're not on my backwheel.
Gapped 'em!
Chris Jongewaard (Savings and Loans) rolls into town a winner.
Stuart Shaw (Drapac Porsche) comes second with Trent Wilson (Parramatta CC) following in the distance.
Cameron Hughes (Ffast CC) finished fourth into Camden.
Peter McDonald (FRF Couriers - Excelpro) finished fifth.
A determined Brad Mills (Mace Up and Go) finished sixth.
Brad Mills feels the effects.
The North Sydney crew was on hand to replenish their riders in the tough conditions.
Aussie road champion Russell Van Hout (Savings and Loans) came in behind Nash Kent (Mace Up and Go).
Nash Kent (Mace Up and Go) must admire Phil Anderson an awful lot.
And now a word from our sponsors... Trent Wilson and Brad Mills seek refreshment.

Images by David Lane/actionsnaps.com.au

The NSWIS team before the start in Goulburn.
The boys from the Central Coast CC looked relaxed in Goulburn.
The Southern Highlands CC boys would have been used to the conditions.
Drapac Porsche were fit and ready.
Out on the highway and the peloton began to split.
Stuart Shaw (Drapac Porsche) made life hard on the windy roads.
The look of determination.
It was essential to get a wheel on the windswept roads.
Many colours, one aim: Sydney!
The open motorway is not a cyclist's friend on days like this.
Still a long way to go.
Darren Lapthorne (Drapac Porsche) punctured early and never saw the front again.
A Sutherland and an ACT rider near Boxers Creek.
The St George club was well-represented.
Some perspective among the pain.
This rider is having too much fun.
Gimme shelter, Kenny!
Getting into the groove.
The loneliness of the long-distance cyclist.
Looking the part in the pink.
Kate Nichols (St George CC) put in a good ride.
Brian Crawford (Kooragang Open CC) makes his way through the convoy.
The charity riders rode the same distance as the race.
Hey, I got it Camden to Goulburn; who's up for it?

Results

Division 1

1 Chris Jongewaard (Savings and Loans)
2 Stuart Shaw (Drapac Porsche)
3 Trent Wilson (Parramatta CC)                    
4 Cameron Hughes (Ffast Cycle Club)               
5 Peter McDonald (FRF Couriers- ExcelPro)         
6 Bradley Mills (Mace Up and Go)                  
7 Jose Rodriguez (Clarence St CCC)                
8 Shaun Lewis (Southern Highlands CC)             
9 Peter Milostic (Penrith Panthers CC)            
10 Peter Mueller (Savings and Loans)              
11 Mitchell Docker (Drapac Porsche)              
12 Casey Munro (Brunswick Cycling Club)          
13 Sean Finning (SouthAustralia.com - AIS.com)   
14 Michael Tolhurst (Team Velo Canberra)         
15 Joshua Marden (FRF Couriers- ExcelPro)        
16 Peter Herzig (FRF Couriers- ExcelPro)         
17 Stephen Cunningham (Savings and Loans)        
18 Daniel Alcock (Coffs Harbour CC)              
19 David Evans (Clarence St CCC)                 
20 Robert Williams (Mace Up and Go Team)         
21 Tobias Erler (Giant Asia Racing Team)         
22 Nicholas Wood (Randwick Botany CC)            
23 Nash Kent (Mace Up and Go Team)               
24 Russell Van Hout (Savings and Loans)          
25 Alex Arias (Lidcombe Auburn CC)               
26 Robert Lyte (Bankstown Sports CC)             
27 Robert Cater (Randwick Botany CC)             
28 Richard Vollebregt (Southern Highlands CC)    
29 Darren Cash (Sutherland Shire CC)             
30 Klayton Smith (Clarence St CCC)               
31 Jason Doyle (Hunter District CC)              
32 Dylan Cooper (Tuggeranong Vikings CC)         
33 Nick Both (Peloton Sports)                    
34 Tyler McLachlan (Southern Cross CC)           
35 Nathan Rollason (Randwick Botany CC)           
36 Jarrett Wood (Kooragang Open CC)               
37 Graeme Arnott (Central Coast CC)               
38 Michael Cupitt (Tuggeranong Vikings CC)        
39 Kevin Poultin (Clarence St CCC)                
40 Christopher Young (Parramatta CC)              
41 Neil Skipper (Tuggeranong Vikings CC)          
42 Marcus Hayman (Team Velo Canberra)             
43 Trent Bulter (Macarthur Collegians CC)

Division 2
               
1 James Williamson (Southern Highlands CC) 
2 Lewis Garland (Hunter District CC)            
3 Martin Mullin (Team Velo Canberra)            
4 John Peppard (Eastern Suburbs CC)             
5 Craig Paull (Illawarra CC)                    
6 Garry Chapman (Northern Sydney CC)            
7 Colin Stapleton (Peloton Sports)              
8 Charles Dorron (Central Coast CC)             
9 Nick Stewart (Canberra Cycling Club)          
10 Anthony Sleeman (Cootamundra CC)             
11 Aiden Lyons (Sutherland Shire CC)            
12 Anthony Green (Parramatta CC)                
13 Nelson Santos (Lidcombe Auburn CC)           
14 Jerome Smith (Sutherland Shire CC)           
15 Brian Crawford (Kooragang Open CC)           
16 David Macalister (Parramatta CC)             
17 Hayden Kegg (Parramatta CC)                  
18 Nikolai Wyman (Eastern Suburbs CC)                   
19 Kevin Nichols (St George CC)