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Port Fairy Cycling Club

March 14, 2004

A week is a long time in cycling

By David Tozer

One of the most frustrating and at the same time alluring, things about cycle racing is that it is so hard and rare to get a win. In most sports the chance of winning on any particular day is usually 50/50, if you are exceptional at your given pursuit the ratio may be as high as 80/20. Compare this to cycling, on any given day your chances are perhaps 1/35 or even 1/100 depending on the number of entrants in the race. And being stronger or more naturally talented is usually negated by the handicapper so that all competitors have an equal chance of success.

Any win in cycling is a great win, whether you’ve ridden of the limit mark or if you’ve caught the field from the scratch mark, a rider has to cherish the victory as they know that the next win might be years away. A rider also knows that opportunities for a win are few and far between so when the chance comes it has to be taken.

The 12 minute group containing Danny Boyd, Lou McLaren, David Rae and Wal Paton must have thought that their chance to grab victory had come on Saturday. After working well together throughout the race, they managed the difficult task of catching the lead riders whilst not being caught by the back markers. This feat was particularly outstanding considering the fact that the three back marker groups had joined together shortly after the half way turn around point and where working well as a large group.

With three kilometres to go, it was clear that the 12 minuters would fight out the podium places, it was just a matter of who would be able to produce the fastest sprint after working so hard to stay away? It is probably safe to say that the 12 minute markers had not considered the possiblility of one of the riders that had started in groups ahead of them would be carrying enough strength and speed to be able to out-sprint them, this oversight ended up costing them the win.

Jill Edwards was able to pick her moment of attack perfectly, the element of surprise being one of her best weapons, that and a very handy finishing sprint catapaulted her to a terrific opportunists victory.

Danny Boyd and Lou Mclaren had to settle for second and third respectively. Deep down, they knew it was a lost chance for glory.

Local cyclists are in full training at the moment, with only 2 weeks to go before the Murray to Moyne charity ride, every kilometre of training now will help the teams cause as they set of on the 500+ kilometre journey. Those cyclists not taking part in the Murray to Moyne may also be training hard in order to take part in the Tour of Southern Grampians.

The tour is being organised by the Coburg Cycling Club and takes place on the 27th and 28th of March. Coburg have been extremely well supported by businesses in Coleraine and this has assured substantial prize money for winners in all grades, as well as the chance to ride through some of Victoria’s most challenging and astecially pleasing countryside.

It is also an absolute bonus for local cyclists to be able to compete against Victoria’s best in our own back yard. Any interested cyclists should hurry to get their names in, entries forms are available by visiting www.coburgcycling.com or by emailing paul@coburgcycling.com

Port Fairy Cycling club will again host the 31 kilometre Handicap this coming Saturday. Racing starts at 2.00pm, at the Port Fairy Showgrounds.

Results

1 Jill Edwards (17.00)
2 Danny Boyd (12.00)
3 Lou McLaren (12.00)
4 David Rae (12.00)
5 Wal Paton (12.00)
6 Jade Frankel (Scratch)
 
Fastest Time: J.Frankel     43.13

Local results 2004

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