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Carnegie Caulfield Cycling Club
Glenvale Crescent, November 23, 2003
Stealth break seals A-grade
By Mal Sawford
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Morning drizzle cleared, and the breeze helped dry the roads in time for racing to get underway on a chilly Sunday morning. A few of the C and D Grade regulars were missing, fearing a washout, but the mid morning sun brought a host of A and B Grade riders out for their weekly high speed racing fix. The morning also saw the official unveiling of the Club' new uniform, thanks to the support of Biggin & Scott Real Estate.
An early break surprised the bulk of the A Grade field, with Le Tour Cycles team mates Richard England and Jamie Goddard joined by semi-regular Echuca visitor Matt Jones. Most of the field seemed unaware the trio was well up the road, content to sit in the bunch and keep an eye on the pre race favorites like Robert Crowe (BikeNOW) and Todd Wilksch (Fitzroy Cycles).
The Team MG-ZT boys put a man into each counter attack, and a number of times the field split, but despite the high overall pace, the leading trio continued to draw clear. The leaders claimed their lap at the 55 minute mark, but had a hard time convincing the bunch of the fact!
Four riders jumped clear in the closing stages to fight out the minor placings, with young Mitchell Docker (ACR) out sprinting Lee Robinson and Rob Young (Team MG-ZT) with Doug Garley (Terry Hammond Cycles) missing out on the money. In the battle for the win, Jones lost contact on the final lap and had to settle for third. England, a member of Victoria's National Championships Teams Pursuit team, took out a tight sprint ahead of Goddard.
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B Grade saw the biggest field of the season, but the numbers weren't enough to guarantee a bunch finish. Cross country skiing star Rob Curtiss (O'Mara Cycles) broke away midway through the race, and over the remainder of the race, was joined by small chase groups.
Curtiss' early efforts saw him finish out of the places, with the win going to Gaethan Cutri, ahead of BikeNOW owner Warren Cay, Michael Bailey, Andrew Blackmore and Jamie Kelly (Terry Hammond Cycles). Australian Criteriun Champion Lizzie Williams (VIS) rode her first race of the season, and came up with the win, holding out Vanessa Crawford (Mainline Cyclesport).
The C Grade race saw a battle between youth and experience. Under the instructions of Victorian coach Brad Robbins, most of the state's outstanding Under 15 and Under 17 riders took to the start line, many riding the event for the first time.
Pip Grinter and Leigh Howard were always at the front end of the field, while relative newcomer and Team Alex series leader Simon Lancaster (BikeNOW) continued to impress by riding at the front. Approaching the end of the race, David Downing (Le Tour), a Masters silver medallist at the Mooloolaba Nationals, broke away alone.
His advantage hovered around ten seconds, and approaching bell lap he was still clear and looked good for a nice birthday present. Jeff Wilson set off in pursuit, with the youngsters massed at the head of the field. Downing's legs gave out at the final corner, and Wilson led into the home straight, before being swallowed up by the bunch.
Leigh Howard, an Under 15 riders given special dispensation to join the Under 17's for the rest of the year, finished fastest, leading home Andy Verduci, Chris Garrard and Sean Bourke, while Briana James narrowly missed an overall placing in taking out the Women's division. Jenni King (City Cycles) was next best of the women, ahead of Emma Carney (Fitzroy Cycles), who was resting from the Triathlon World Cup after illness during the week.
The D Grade race also saw a bunch sprint decide the result, with Trent Brown claiming his maiden win, ahead of the very experienced Brian Dew and youngsters Scott Jensen and Curtis Yildirim. Lisa Friend (Bianchi) was a clear winner in the Women's division, ahead of Athena Greenall-Wilson and Luoise Bourke.
None of the leaders in the $7000 Team Alex Series finished in the bonus points this week, so the Series Leader remains Simon Lancaster with 66 points, ahead of Michael Downing (49), Matt Jensen (46) and Renato Liucci (46). Warren Knevitt leads the A Grade riders with 43, just ahead of Dylan Boone (40) and Rob Crowe on 39. Women's leader Cheryl Walker (31) holds a narrow lead over today's D Grade winner Lisa Friend and Ferne Walklate, both with 28 points.
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.
Results
A Grade, 1 hour + 3 laps, 48 starters 1 Richard England (Blackburn) 2 Jamie Goddard (Blackburn) 3 Matt Jones (Echuca-Moama) 4 Mitchell Docker (Brunswick) 5 Lee Robinson (Carnegie Caulfield) 6 Robert Young (NSW) B Grade, 1 hour + 3 laps, 61 starters 1 Gaethan Cutri (Hawthorn) 2 Warren Cay (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Michael Bailey (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Andrew Blackmore (Queensland) 5 Jamie Kelly (Carnegie Caulfield) Women 1 Lizzie Williams (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Vanessa Crawford (Carnegie Caulfield) C Grade, 50 minutes + 3 laps, 38 starters 1 Leigh Howard (Geelong West) 2 Andy Verduci (St Kilda) 3 Chris Garrard (St Kilda) 4 Sean Bourke (Blackburn) Women 1 Briana James (St Kilda) 2 Jenni King (Hawthorn) 3 Emma Carney (Carnegie Caulfield) D Grade, 45 minutes + 3 laps, 27 starters 1 Trent Brown (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Brian Dew (Echuca-Moama) 3 Scott Jensen (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Curtis Yildirim (Blackburn) Women 1 Lisa Friend (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Athena Greenall-Wilson (Dirt Riders) 3 Louise Bourke (Blackburn) E Grade, 45 minutes + 3 laps 1 Ian Treloar (Blackburn)
