UCI codes explained

Results and Reports from Australia

Promoters wishing to submit results should send them to Cyclingnews

86th Port Noarlunga Handicap

April 24, 2004

Adrian Laidler takes his second Noarlunga Handicap

By Denis Brown

Sat 24th April saw the 86th running of the Norwood Cycling Clubs (the oldest in the southern hemisphere) annual 51km. Handicap road race. With a large field of middle markers, in reasonable form, and a hand full of unknown triathletes, the race was always going to be tough from the outset, plus with what is locally called the range circuit living up to it’s usual temperamental cold weather conditions.

The event held over 3, 17 km laps, appeared to be panning out as a touch and go effort between all 10 groups of riders, apart from a handful of competitors that the handicapper had given a task beyond them. At 34 km, the scratch bunch had caught 4 groups that had started at 1 Minute intervals in front of them, this was done with some big turns of pace from Kris Lewis and Peter Mueller (team Rio Coffee) but there were still front bunches out to 14 minutes to gather in.

At this point Adrian Laidler, Mathew Rex (team Rio Coffee) and Joe Underwood (team Fairmont Homes) launched what was to be a well timed attack, to go off in pursuit of the front markers that were beginning to split. The lead was conceded to the 4 remaining middle markers off the 6 Min. bunch. Sam Allen, Kym Howard, Bill Drodge and Paul Wilson.

These were caught with, 5 kms to go when Laidler, along with Rex, launched an attack that put paid to all in the event. In the run to the line it appeared that Rex was not going to be able to run Laidler down, who went on for a well deserved and popular win. Underwood, in a welcome return to form, was able to finish just ahead of the pack, in spite of a great tussle with former Northern Territory rider Matt Stevens, who in finishing 4th. Gave another meritorious performance.

So Adrian Laidler has gone on to win for the second time, just 17 seconds short of his 2000 record time. Is it just a coincidence that the first three placegetters have won this event before, or do they place the value on this historical race, it that it rightly deserves.

Results

1 Adrian Laidler        1.11.08
2 Mathew Rex
3 Joe Underwood
4 Matt Stevens
5 Daniel Smith
6 Sam Allen
7 Scott Hudson
8 Kym Howard
9 Paul Wilson
 
1st unplaced woman: Tanya Lewis

Local results 2004

January	February	March
April	May	June
July	August	September
October	November	December