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Carnegie Caulfield Cycling Club
Glenvale Crescent, Mulgrave December 7, 2003
Triumphant return for Tighello
By Mal Sawford
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Perfect conditions saw a season record field of just under 200 front for the regular Criteriums around Glenvale Crescent. Last season's dominant rider, Robert Tighello (ACR) resumed racing after a lay off of a few months, and was quietly confident of showing the boys he was back.
The A Grade race started at a fast pace, with Chris Bradford (CBD Cycles) lighting things up, but the bunch weren't going to be caught napping two weeks in a row! Richard England (Le Tour Cycles), Michael Tolhurst and Martin Bole were also up to their usual attacking roles, but the big bunch never let the breaks get more than a few seconds advantage.
Late in the hour, 'Hell Ride' Master of Ceremonies Rob Crowe (BikeNOW) followed an attack by Dean Johnstone (O'Mara Cycles), England, Bradford and Junior Road World's team member Simon Clarke (BikeNOW), which sparked Tighello to also go on the offensive. Despite the obvious danger and a determined chase, the chasing bunch could only limit the break's lead to ten seconds.
The break maintained their advantage until the final three laps, and it was only a big turn from Junior World's Pursuit Silver Medallist Michael Ford (VIS/Gran Prix Bicycles) that saw the field back in contention with two corners to go. England led out the sprint, but was swamped fifty meters from home, with Tighello straight back on the winner's list. Todd Wilksch (Fitzroy Cycles) burst from the chasing pack to claim second, with Clarke leading home Crowe and Bradford.
B Grade, with 56 riders in the field, was odds on to finish with a bunch sprint on the fast and open circuit. John Mackenzie and Rhys Van Beek did their best to break things up, but without success. Leading Women Narelle Peterson (Giramondo Sportswear), Emma Rickards (Richmond Cyclery), Helen Kelly (RONA) and Dutch visitor Elspeth Vink all contributed to the fast pace and stayed out of trouble at the pointy end of the bunch.
A clash of wheels in the middle of the bunch on the second last lap saw young Jan Wilhoeft (Pro-Motion Bicycles) hit the deck hard, causing a pile up involving nine riders - fortunately all bar Jan escaped relatively unscathed. The mayhem saw the bunch split, and a much reduced bunch contested the finishing sprint, taken out by breakaway specialist Russell Newnham, whose win earns him promotion to A Grade. Nick Gates flew home in second, ahead of Frank Cipriano and Peter Ballas, while Helen Kelly won the Women's race from Rickards and Vink.
C Grade also had a monster field, and despite the efforts of Team Downing (Erin, Tess and Michael) to slow the chase while Team Leader (and dad) David was away, a bunch sprint would also decide the outcome. Junior champion Leigh Howard burst from the pack to take a convincing win, ahead of Grant Hellings, Ben Schofield and Alex Smyth.
Cheryl Walker, whose pleas to the handicapper for a D Grade start due to illness fell on unsympathetic ears, stayed at the front all day, and only narrowly missed an outright place. Emily Watson continued her good form with another second placing.
The D Grade field were also all together at the bell, but a surge down the back straight saw Australian Junior Champion Lisa Friend (Bianchi) open a small advantage with new comer Walter Leoni. Leoni was too strong, coming around an impressive sprint from the young star to take the win. Rod Pemberton led the bunch home, ahead of another Junior, Ross Hamilton.
Friend's outright second also gave her the Women's win, with Amy Phillips (Trak Cycles) back in the money after a break for VCE exams, and Kym Petersen (Croydon Cycles) third.
The $7000 Team Alex Series lead stays with Simon Lancaster on 86 points. Peter Ballas, Matt Jensen and Paul Kelly share second (59), with Warren Knevitt still in touch (57). Lisa Friend's outstanding ride in D Grade moved her into the Women's lead (46) in a close contest from Cheryl Walker (45) and Ferne Walklate (42).
Carnegie Caulfield Criteriums continue every Sunday at Glenvale Crescent (Melways map 80B2). Twilight races are held on Tuesday evenings at Sandown racecourse, on the car racing circuit, with all grades starting at 6.30pm. Entry is via Sandown Rd, from 5.30pm. All holders of 2003 Cycling Australia licenses are welcome (don't forget to bring your license or receipt!) and non-members can have a go by taking out a day license for $20. 2004 licenses are also now available. For first time competitors and the younger juniors, Tokyo Olympian Mick Hollingsworth conducts racing clinics in E Grade. For further details, including information and standings for the Team Alex series, check out www.carnegiecycling.com.au.
Photography
Images by Mal Sawford
- Dean Johnstone launches the winning A Grade break
- The A Grade break nears the finish
- The huge C Grade bunch comes into the main straight
- Melissa Kah and Stephen Jean show the strain of C Grade's fast pace
- D Grade round corner 2 at speed
Results
A Grade, 1 hour + 3 laps, 44 starters 1 Robert Tighello (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Todd Wilksch (Horsham) 3 Simon Clarke (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Robert Crowe (Carnegie Caulfield) 5 Chris Bradford (Carnegie Caulfield) 6 Richard England (Blackburn) B Grade, 1 hour + 3 laps, 56 starters 1 Russell Newnham (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Nick Gates (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Frank Cipriano (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Peter Ballas (Carnegie Caulfield) 5 Karl Wood (Carnegie Caulfield) Women 1 Helen Kelly (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Emma Rickards (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Elspeth Vink (Holland) C Grade, 50 minutes + 3 laps, 54 starters 1 Leigh Howard (Geelong West) 2 Grant Hellings (Chelsea & Peninsula) 3 Ben Schofield (Blackburn) 4 Alex Smyth (Carnegie Caulfield) Women 1 Cheryl Walker (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Emily Phillips (Blackburn) D Grade, 45 minutes + 3 laps, 37 starters 1 Walter Leoni (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Lisa Friend (Blackburn) 3 Rod Pemberton (Carnegie Caulfield) Women 1 Lisa Friend (Blackburn) 2 Amy Phillips (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Kim Petersen (Carnegie Caulfield) E Grade, 45 minutes + 3 laps 1 Natalia Friend (Blackburn)
