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Warragul CC
May 15, 2004
Fine weather and fast racing at Shady Creek
By Justen O'Connor
Cyclists were not prepared for the lack of rain, hail and wind as the usual conditions made way for fine weather at Shady Creek on Saturday.
D- Grade headed off to complete two laps of the Shady Creek, Stuhrs Rd. circuit with the biggest field of the day and things got off to a bad start for Glenda Pridmore who punctured on lap one. Brendan Pridmore and Damien Brown stopped to help out effectively ending their chances. Glenda and Damien finished off the ride in beautiful conditions and were fitter for the experience. Meanwhile, in the bunch ahead Jo Hanley was experiencing the benefits of some regular training and along with Emma Beveridge road a strong race. Lap 1 was completed in 38:09.
On lap two, Dave, Bill, Allan Hauxwell and Sean did turns at the front of the bunch as Paul Kennedy lost contact at the rear. Allan Beveridge was enjoying a steady ride having stood down from C-Grade because of injury. As the group approached the uphill sprint finish Dave Axford grabbed the drops and a good spot ready to power across the line. Bill Frew tried to get around Dave but in the end he proved too strong. Allan Hauxwell grabbed third with Sean, Emma, Jo and Alan rounding out the bunch in total time of 1:09:08. Paul, Damien and Glenda crossed a few minutes later.
C-Grade has been getting faster and faster in recent weeks and this week was no exception. A Dean Logan break away on lap one produced a marked response from the bunch. The strength of Mike Brown, Glenn Fisher and Rob Monk ensured Dean would not escape for too long and set the foundation for a fast time. After 1 lap of the big circuit they were only 50 seconds down on A-Grade pace and 19 seconds off B-Grade.
Mike led the group up the final Shady hill climb and the constant grind dislodged Luke Hanley, Terry Kelly, Vic Spunner, Dean and Michael Pridmore. The front three were away with a gutsy Luke determined to bridge the gap in pursuit. Despite their efforts to maintain a gap Luke was able to catch the lead bunch and sit on with little left in the tank.
In the final sprint, Rob disliked the uphill finish even more when he realised Mike had his wheel as the burst up the rise towards the line. Mike clicked a gear and pushed over Rob to claim first with Glenn Fisher in third. The time was a fast 36 minutes for a total of 1:13:18. Luke couldn't go with the sprint for fourth and Terry led Vic home 1.5 minutes later. A tired Dean crossed a further 2 minutes back and Michael Pridmore completed the grade's racing.
Riding two large circuits followed by one of the shorter Stuhrs Rd laps, the B-Grade bunch was two thirds of the way through lap 1 when they were introduced to Craig Skinner from the LaTrobe Valley Cycling Club. Having missed the first 3 uphills of the race, Craig spent his share of the time at the pointy end of the bunch to make amends. With lap 1 completed in 36:59, Justen, Tim and Craig put the heat on for the Shady Creek climb only to be disappointed with the result at the top.
While Brett Rollinson was strong on the flats, some pushes over the Bonlac hills from Justen did little to upset the bunch and Ross Henry was starting to work his way into the race. James Henry and Steve Sandner were covering everything and after a modest 36:19 lap two, all remained together for the start of lap three. It was Tim Lee's turn to crank up the heat and from the bottom of the Shady hill he stood up and took off.
As Brett lost contact with the bunch, Tim proved a tough fish to catch and despite the rotating bunch behind managed to stay away until the end of Stuhrs Rd. Ross, Craig and Justen worked together up Stuhrs and were relieved when Tim turned right instead of left effectively ending the chase.
Towards the finish Craig managed to work himself again to the front and stayed there for the last 1.5km. Leading the bunch out for the sprint he was shocked to see young Steve Sandner blast up the final hill to cross comfortably in 1:13:18. Craig crossed clear for second and James just held off Justen and Tim for third. Ross rounded out the sprint. Brett crossed not long after to complete a tough race.
Because local cycling club member Murray Fenwick was tying the knot, the A-Grade field was somewhat depleted. Thomas's ten points however were not guaranteed with the two Johns (Salton and McKenzie) in attendance and Jason Kruger getting stronger. Anthony Mason from Caulfield Carnegie Cycling club was also thrown into the mix and a steady lap one with a time of 36:29 did not create any decisive breaks. It was on lap 2 that Thomas pushed hard to put a gap back to Anthony. As they crossed for lap two in a time of 35:02 Jason had a seven second gap to the bunch which had a further 2 minutes back to Anthony. Jason's stint out front would not last and as usual Thomas set the pace up the hill for the last time.
Despite repeated efforts no one could get clear and a sprint finish was inevitable. John Salton the sprint specialist was feeling tight in the legs and Thomas's recent sprinting form has been impressive. Like his son in B-Grade Thomas was able to catapult up the hill, cross the line a bike length clear of John and punch the air with delight. The time was 1:48:52 for the three big laps. Jason crossed for third ahead of John McKenzie who not content with nearly two hours of racing, set off to ride another couple of laps. Anthony Mason enjoyed the day out in the hills and crossed shortly after.
Race coordinator and Club lynch pin Staf, is flying to the USA and the club wishes him the best on his break. Next weeks race is a handicap at Cloverlea.
Results
A-Grade 1 Thomas Sandner 1.48.52 2 John Salton 3 Jason Kruger B-Grade 1 Steve Sandner 1.43.02 2 Craig Skinner 3 James Henry C-Grade 1 Mike Brown 1.13.18 2 Rob Monk 3 Glenn Fisher D-Grade 1 Dave Axford 1.09.08 2 Bill Frew 3 Allan Hauxwell
