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Carnegie Caulfield CC
Sandown Raceway, Mulgrave, November 25, 2003
By Mal Sawford
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Much like Waverley Park, the Club's previous base for twilight racing for over 20 years, the Sandown Raceway circuit is proving to be something of a ‘wind magnet'. The 3.5 kilometre circuit is built on the side of a hill, which allows great viewing for spectators, but allows the strong winds to play havoc on two wheeled competitors. Tonight's wind was from the south, giving a strong headwind down the main straight, a tailwind up the back straight climb, and tough cross wind sections through the chicanes at both ends of the course.
Ray Turner (Bianchi) was back to his usual tricks, jumping away early on in the A Grade race, with Leigh De Luca (Specialized) for company. After a few laps off the front, Sugar Ray decided the hard work was no fun, and returned to the shelter of the peleton, while De Luca kept the effort up a little longer.
Once the bunch regrouped, a number of riders tried to break things up, but all eyes were on the German powerhouse, Christian Lademann (ZVVZ - Ed System). Whenever Lademann felt a move looked threatening, a brief acceleration would send him across to the leaders, while the known sprinters fought amongst themselves to catch his wheel.
The winning move came after forty minutes, when Junior World's Pursuit Silver Medallist Michael Ford jumped clear of the bunch on the climb and bridged to a small group a few seconds ahead. When Lademann decided to follow, with trackie Warren Knevitt (O'Mara Cycles) quick to follow, the leaders opened a handy gap.
The main group didn't start a decent chase until the gap was insurmountable, leaving Lademann, Knevitt, Ford, Paul Richards (Team MG-ZT) and Ben Jackson (SBR) to battle for the win. Lademann surged on the final ascent, coming in alone a few seconds ahead of Knevitt, who out sprinted Ford and Jackson, with Richards tailing in alone. Steve Martin (Le Tour Cycles) and Anthony Smith (Gran Prix Bicycles) attacked the chase group in the closing stages, with the final place going to Smith.
For the first time this season, the B Grade race didn't see an early break dominate the night. Despite the presence of work horses like Grant Mathews, Bruce Will and Russell Newnham, the attentive bunch stayed together for most of the race.
Young Greg Nicholson put in a powerful attack on the final climb, and opened a handy lead with a little over a kilometre to go. Entering the home straight, the head wind proved too much, and his legs began to fail. Forgotten sprinter Frank Cipriano hit out hard at the final corner, and got a jump on his rivals in what he thought was a race for second. His burst carried him past the unlucky Nicholson for a crowd pleasing win, while Nicholson dug deep to hold onto second, with Matt Jensen and Peter Ballas the next quickest home.
The top four place getters are all training under supercoach Hilton Clarke at the Carnegie Track this season - after their clean sweep there's sure to be more riders joining the squad soon! Jenny Macpherson (Fitzroy Cycles) made light of the tough conditions, and was a convincing winner of the premier Women's division.
A five man break escaped the big C Grade bunch, with Andy Verduci, Doug Reynolds, Cam Winton, Tony McGarrigle and Pete Knight combining well in the windy conditions - even proving difficult for the A Grade bunch to overhaul on the climb!
At the finish, Verduci proved the quickest, ahead of Masters rider Reynolds and Winton. Catherine Allen (Giramondo) led the large Women's contingent home, ahead of Nicky Mathews.
Scott Jensen returned to the winners list in D Grade, escaping with Steve Leishman midway through the race, and out sprinting his companion at the finish. Veteran Ray Smith led the bunch home ahead of Ross Black, with Ferne Walklate returning to the lead in the Team Alex Series by taking out the Women's division.
The $7000 Team Alex Series Leader remains young Simon Lancaster on 66. Paul Kelly (55) has jumped to second after his promotion to A Grade, with Warren Knevitt not far behind on 51. Ferne Walklate re-claimed the Women's lead with 33 points ahead of Cheryl Walker on 31 and Lisa Friend (28). The Jensen clan is well represented on the leader board, with Matt in third (53), Scott seventh (41) and dad Kurt just outside the top 10!
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, 34 starters 1 Christian Lademann (Germany) 2 Warren Knevitt (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Michael Ford (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Ben Jackson (St Kilda) 5 Paul Richards (Coburg) 6 Anthony Smith (Blackburn) B Grade, 1 hour + 3 laps, 49 starters 1 Frank Cipriano (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Greg Nicholson (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Matt Jensen (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Peter Ballas (Carnegie Caulfield) 5 Kurt Jensen (Carnegie Caulfield) 1st woman: Jenny Macpherson (Carnegie Caulfield) C Grade, 50 minutes + 3 laps, 48 starters 1 Andy Verduci (St Kilda) 2 Doug Reynolds (Footscray) 3 Cam Winton (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Tony McGarrigle (Noble Park - Dandenong) 1st woman: Catherine Allen (Blackburn) D Grade, 45 minutes + 3 laps, 25 starters 1 Scott Jensen (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Steve Leishman (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Ray Smith (Chelsea & Peninsula) 4 Ross Black (Carnegie Caulfield) 1st woman: Ferne Walklate (Carnegie Caulfield)
