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Eastern Suburbs CC

Heffron Park, December 2, 2003

Kelly too strong in sprint finish

Randwick Botany Masters Champ, renowned dotcom entrepreneur and part time Italian frame distributor, Liam Kelly easily won the Eastern Suburbs weekly criterium at Heffron Park on Tuesday night. Obviously buoyed by his impressive 6th place in NZ's 160km Lake Taupo Classic at the weekend, Kelly outsprinted fellow A graders Simon Price and Dave Stewart to give A grade their 3rd consecutive outright win.

Rider numbers were down again as Sydney's continuing heavy and overcast weather threatened to wash out another weeks racing. 50 riders turned up with B & C grades the largest with 20 riders each and A grade with 11 riders, but the old handicap saying (I assume there is one) of 'smaller numbers sometimes work better' rang true.

All grades worked cohesively and smoothly in the conditions, however with 7 laps to go it was apparent that the 2 stronger grades were going to close down the C grade front markers. It may have been different if a fall in C grade with 5 laps to go hadn't ruined their momentum. Unfortunately it also ruined the chances for 3 riders when Parramatta Master, Ian Hood broke his crank out of one of the corners and had Randwick Botany President John Buckton ride over the top of him.

3 laps to go and with the gaps rapidly closing, B grade were still trying to keep their distance from A grade with some strong last minute efforts from Dr Bob Hamsphire and last weeks winner, Peter McDonald who seems to be riding noticeably stronger every week.

It wasn't until the bell lap that the race finally came together with Simon Price and Dave Stewart leading the charge to the finishing straight when Kelly launched his powerful kick into the wind and claimed the win complete with 2 arm victory salute.

In the mayhem that followed, Nathan 'Chookman' Russell grabbed 4th in front of B grader Chris Jenkins who took 5th place overall. Warwick Edwards continued his string of recent good rides to get the honours for 1st B grade and Kevin Black once again proved too strong for his C grade companions to win C grade.

Tuesday night racing continues over the next 2 weeks in the graded handicap format and then the 2003 finale takes place on 23rd December with the much coveted Eastern Suburbs Trophy Race. Tuesday night racing has become a joint effort between the Eastern Suburbs and Randwick Botany Clubs and both Clubs, along with all the riders wish Helen Vella good luck ahead of this Saturday's Cycling Australia, Cyclist of the Year Awards at the Dunc Gray Velodrome. Helen is a finalist in the Ausport Volunteer Award.

Results

1 Liam Kelly (Randwick Botany)
2 Simon Price (Eastern Suburbs)
3 David Stewart (Eastern Suburbs)
4 Nathan Russell (Northern Suburbs/Giant)
5 Chris Jenkins (Randwick Botany)
 
1st B Grade: Warwick Edwards (Parramatta)
  
1st C Grade: Kevin Black (Sydney)