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Carnegie Caulfield CC
Sandown Raceway, November 4, 2003
Boone wins from attacking A-graders
By Malcolm Sawford
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After a washout of the opening twilight race of the season the week before, sunny skies on Melbourne Cup day brought a good field of over 100 riders to test themselves on the challenging Sandown circuit. At over three kilometers in length, the circuit presents a number of challenges: surprisingly tight corners (given that the V8 Supercars manage 200kmh!), a steady climb up the back straight, and an ever present wind to manage.
The A Grade bunch saw an early break take advantage of the peleton's reluctance to push the pace on the back straight climb, with Leigh De Luca and Cam Lester opening a handy lead of around twenty seconds. As the race went on, the bunch would close in on the main straight, but lose momentum hitting the climb, and it was only a matter of time before the big hitters showed their strength.
When Barcelona Olympian Rob Crowe (BikeNOW) attacked on the climb midway through the hour, he took the cream across with him, splitting the bunch in half. The strong Fitzroy Cycles team had sprinter Dylan Boone in the move, while Warren Knevitt represented O'Mara Cycles. Super Vet Guy Green (Le Tour Cycles) and the cagey Ray Turner (Bianchi) also got across with Anthony Smith (Gran Prix Bicycles).
The closing laps saw a number of attacks from De Luca and Crowe, with De Luca's last effort seeing Crowe chase him down, with three riders tucked into his slip stream. In the tailwind dash to the line, Boone took out the win by two lengths over Crowe, Smith and Green, while De Luca lead the remnants of the break home ahead of Knevitt.
An experienced break of Veteran riders upstaged the up and comers in B Grade, with regular breakaway specialists Bruce Will and Russell Newnham joined by Peter O'Callaghan, Glen Hutchinson. John Hollingworth and Rob Curtiss. The combination worked well in the windy conditions, keeping the bunch out of contention and surviving to fight out the finish.
Peter O'Callaghan had the best legs at the finish, holding off the renowned sprint of Hutchinson, with Newnham and Will filling the minor places.
C Grade also saw victory go to one of the Vets, with Blackburn's Doug Reynolds too good. Mathew Pegg took a fine second after his recent elevation from D Grade, with Simon Bristow and new rider Fraser Short in the minor places. Under 15 rider and Alex Series leader Michael Downing (Le Tour Cycles) acquitted himself well in his first C Grade ride, finishing just out of the money in sixth. Catherine Allen (Giramondo) took out the Women's division with a good ride.
Success for first time racer Alistair Gray, who took out the D Grade event, ahead of promising junior Simon Lancaster. Rohan Jones also rode for the first time and finished a fine third, with Chris Dann taking the final prize of the night. Tess Downing (Le Tour Cycles) took out the strong Women's division, leading the eight ladies home, ahead of Lisa Friend and Anni Jensen.
Saturday the 8th sees the gala opening of track racing for the season, with a re-union day planned, and featuring the 50th Anniversary Caulfield Cup on Wheels, worth a fantastic $1000 thanks to generous sponsorship from Bob Jane T-Mart.
Carnegie Caulfield Criteriums continue every Sunday at Glenvale Crescent (Melways map 80B2). Twilight racing continues 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.
Results
A Grade, 1 hour + 3 laps, 24 starters 1 Dylan Boone (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Robert Crowe (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Anthony Smith (Blackburn) 4 Guy Green (Blackburn) 5 Leigh De Luca (Carnegie Caulfield) 6 Warren Knevitt (Carnegie Caulfield) B Grade, 1 hour + 3 laps, 32 starters 1 Peter O'Callaghan (Brunswick) 2 Glen Hutchinson (Footscray) 3 Russell Newnham (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Bruce Will (Carnegie Caulfield) 5 John Hollingworth (Carnegie Caulfield) C Grade, 50 minutes + 3 laps, 31 starters 1 Doug Reynolds (Blackburn) 2 Mathew Pegg (Blackburn) 3 Simon Bristow (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Fraser Short (Carnegie Caulfield) Women 1 Catherine Allen (Blackburn) D Grade, 45 minutes + 3 laps, 21 starters 1 Alistair Gray (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Simon Lancaster (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Rohan Jones (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Chris Dann (Carnegie Caulfield) Women 1 Tess Downing (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Lisa Friend (Blackburn)
Australian results from the past weekRoad |
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