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Carnegie Caulfield Cycling Club
Glenvale Crescent, Mulgrave, December 14, 2003
Record fields & fast racing at Glenvale
By Mal Sawford
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Another great morning brought a record field to the Glenvale Crescent circuit: nearly 250 cyclists competing across the five divisions. The elite A Grade field saw the return of last season's most successful rider, Hilton Clarke Jnr (Barloworld), while the Elite Women's field saw Katie Mactier (Saturn) pin on a number.
With 67 riders in the A Grade bunch, a place at the back of the field was something to be avoided. Those lucky enough to secure a spot at the front of the starting chute took advantage, and quickly had the bunch lined out in single file. Last weeks winner Robert Tighello (Genovese Coffee/ACR) and Clarke were among the pace setters, and within minutes, a select group of five had gone clear.
Joining the pair were Barcelona Olympian Robert Crowe (BikeNOW), Richard England (Le Tour Cycles) and Stuart Hill, but despite the undisputed horsepower of the lead group, their lead never grew to more than a few seconds, with the bunch chasing hard in pursuit.
After the regrouping, the pace remained high for the duration, with Tighello and Clarke always trying to get clear. With the bunch intact at three to go, things were set for a mass finish, and the sprinters managed to keep things under control resulting in a rare bunch sprint.
Tighello led the field round the home turn, but swamped before the line. Hilton Clarke look to have it won, before Junior Worlds rider Simon Clarke (BikeNOW) came off his wheel in the final meters to take the win with arms aloft. BikeNOW owner Warren Cay chose the far side of the road and snuck into third, ahead of Luke Wier (Mainline Cyclesport), former speed skater Simon Walker (Victorian State Home Loans) and Hill.
B Grade, with a massive 80 riders in the field, was once again odds on to finish with a bunch sprint on the fast and open circuit. Katie Mactier and new Victory Brewing signing Emma Rickards moved quickly to the front of the huge bunch, contributing to a very fast pace which prevented any serious attacks.
Eventually, a momentary lull in the pace saw Paralympic Champion Peter Homann (VIS) jump clear, with Boon Chia (Team Alex) and Mark Kotzen. The trio survived for ten minutes before the inevitable recapture, allowing Karl Woods (Pro-Motion Bicycles) to try his bid for solo glory.
The sprinters ruled, however, with Michael Bailey (Alchemy) piloting his single speed to an impressive win, ahead of the A Grade bound Glen Hutchinson, and outstanding juniors Mario Giramondo (Giramondo Sportswear) and Scott Peoples. Jenny Macpherson hugged the left hand gutter to lead the Women home, while Rickards held off Australian Criterium Champion Lizzie Williams on the right side of the road to take second.
C Grade defied the trend for bunch finishes, with a four man break taking the honors. Andrew Wyatt, Matt Pegg, Cam Winton and Jeremy Austin powered clear with twenty minutes remaining, opening a gap of twenty seconds. A determined chase powered by Leigh Howard and Davern White saw the bunch within five seconds with two laps remaining, before Austin spotted the danger and lifted the pace, keeping the chasers at bay.
Wyatt took the win narrowly ahead of Pegg, whose consistent efforts will see him promoted to B Grade, with Winton third ahead of a tiring Austin. Sam Brown (Terry Hammond Cycles) led the frustrated bunch home, where Cheryl Walker (Victorian State Home Loans) maintained her recent run of wins, taking out the Women's division ahead of Briana James and Kerrie Baumgartner,
The D Grade bunch sprint saw Barry McShane collect his first win, ahead of Gary Cairnduff, Phil Johns and John Jones. Ferne Walklate and Australian Under 17 Champion Lisa Friend (Bianchi) continued their battle for the Women's Series, with Walklate too good this time.
The $7000 Team Alex Series lead stays with Simon Lancaster on 90 points. Paul Kelly holds outright second with 63, ahead of Matt Jensen, Warren Knevitt and Cheryl Walker, all with 61. Walker leads the Women's series, with Ferne Walklate (52) and Lisa Friend (50) not far behind.
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
- Rob Crowe sets the pace in the A Grade break
- The mammoth B Grade field spreads across the finishing straight
- Karl "Steel is real" Woods rides solo in B Grade
Results
A Grade, 1 hour + 3 laps, 67 starters 1 Simon Clarke (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Hilton Clarke (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Warren Cay (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Luke Weir (Carnegie Caulfield) 5 Simon Walker (Carnegie Caulfield) 6 Stuart Hill (St Kilda) B Grade, 1 hour + 3 laps, 79 starters 1 Michael Bailey (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Glen Hutchinson (Footscray) 3 Mario Giramondo (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Scott Peoples (Shepparton) 5 Goran Masalkovski (St Kilda) Women 1 Jenny Macpherson (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Emma Rickards (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Lizzie Williams (Carnegie Caulfield) C Grade, 50 minutes + 3 laps, 48 starters 1 Andrew Wyatt (Blackburn) 2 Matt Pegg (Blackburn) 3 Cam Winton (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Jeremy Austin (St Kilda) Women 1 Cheryl Walker (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Briana James (St Kilda) 3 Kerrie Baumgartner (St Kilda) D Grade, 45 minutes + 3 laps, 43 starters 1 Barry McShane (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Gary Cairnduff (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Phil Johns (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 John Jones (Carnegie Caulfield) Women 1 Ferne Walklate (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Lisa Friend (Blackburn) 3 Erin Peoples (Shepparton) E Grade, 45 minutes + 3 laps 1 Dale Reith (Blackburn) 2 Natalia Friend (Blackburn)
Local results 2003
