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Carnegie Caulfield Cycling Club
Sandown Raceway, Mulgrave, March 9, 2004
Wind inspires attacks
By Mal Sawford
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After a day of heavy rain and strong winds, when it seemed certain that racing would have to be abandoned, the rain suddenly stopped around 5pm, rewarding over 100 optimists. A strong and cold southerly wind blew, bringing a wintery feel, but the rain held off and the circuit was dry for the 6.30pm kick off.
The windy conditions made for attacking racing. The A Grade race saw a succession of small groups go clear, with Ray Turner (Bianchi - and finally aboard one of his employer's machines!) and Warren Knevitt (O'Mara Cycles) the first to force the pace. Justin Davis (O'Mara), Paul Kelly (SBR), Marco Christen (Hormann), Doug Garley (Terry Hammond Cycles) and Mick Teggelove bridged, and the break looked promising.
Richard England (Le Tour Cycles) and Danny Kah almost brought things back together, allowing Mark Howard (O'Mara) and Nathan Wise to join the lead group, but the lead hovered around the five second mark and looked in danger of being reeled in at any stage, although only nine chasers remained in the bunch.
Sure enough, the race came back together before Kel McCulloch (SBR) jumped away, with Garley and Teggelove still strong enough to follow. As the final three laps approached, the bunch once again regrouped, before Wise hit out. McCulloch and Garley again found the strength to respond, and were still clear at the bell and looked to have the race sewn up. Climbing the hill for the final time, Garley lost contact approaching the summit leaving two in front, with Wise leading most of the final kilometer.
McCulloch had no trouble coming round Wise to take the win, while Garley was run down in the straight by Teggelove and Knevitt and had to settle for fifth place after spending virtually the entire race in the front group.
Richard Cormick spent a lap off the front of the B Grade bunch early on before being joined by Steve Leishman (BikeNOW), Reece Van Beek and Andrew Verducci. The bunch regrouped and looked to be riding tempo before a major split with twenty minutes remaining. All the strong riders were in the front group, which steadily increased its advantage as the finish approached.
Sprinter Darren Cathie was clearly the quickest in the group, and had no trouble coming round Boon Chia (Team Alex) to take the win. Chia had to settle for second, ahead of Chris Lee (SBR) who had left his run too late into the head wind, Reece Van Beek and Fast Eddy Perez.
Scott Jensen tried a solo escape in the opening laps of the C Grade race, but found the windy conditions far too tough tackle alone. After he was reeled in, the race became fairly conservative, with most riders happy to wait for a bunch sprint. Jason Theobald (O'Mara) proved fastest, taking the win ahead of Simon Shaw, Luke Postlethwaite and Chris Garrard, with German rider Desiree Schuler the best of the Women, leading home Nicky Matthews (Bicycle Superstore) and Gemma Goyne (BikeNOW).
Veteran Echuca rider Brian Dew took out the D Grade race with a well timed sprint, holding off Will Livesay, Ray Smith and Ike Collings, while Louisa Judd was a convincing winner of the Women's division, finishing well clear of training partner Sigrid Pitkin (Kathy Watt's Personal Training) and Andrea Bishop.
Simon Lancaster leads the $7000 Team Alex Criterium Series on 144 points ahead of Cheryl Walker (125) and Matt Jensen (121). Leading A Grade rider Warren Knevitt is now in fourth place on 118, with only nine rounds remaining in the season long series.
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, 21 starters 1 Kel McCulloch (St Kilda) 2 Nathan Wise (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Mick Teggelove (Echuca) 4 Warren Knevitt (Carnegie Caulfield) 5 Doug Garley (Carnegie Caulfield) 6 Danny Kah (Carnegie Caulfield) B Grade, 1 hour + 2 laps, 29 starters 1 Darren Cathie (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Boon Chia (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Chris Lee (St Kilda) 4 Reece Van Beek (Geelong West) 5 Eddy Perez (Carnegie Caulfield) C Grade, 50 minutes + 2 laps, 29 starters 1 Jason Theobald (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Simon Shaw (Hawthorn) 3 Luke Postlethwaite (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Chris Garrard (Carnegie Caulfield) Women 1 Desiree Schuler (Germany) 2 Nicky Matthews (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Gemma Goyne (Carnegie Caulfield) D Grade, 45 minutes + 2 laps, 22 starters 1 Brian Dew (Echuca) 2 Will Livesay (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Ray Smith (Chelsea & Peninsula) 4 Ivan Collings (Carnegie Caulfield) Women 1 Louisa Judd (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Sigrid Pitkin (Blackburn) 3 Andrea Bishop (Carnegie Caulfield)
