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Warragul Cycling Club
Mt Baw Baw key to the outcome of Herald Sun Tour
Warragul will be treated to the current top cycling names in Australia and around the world as the Herald Sun Tour passes through the region this weekend. Athens gold medallists Brett Lancaster and Luke Roberts will join a host of top-ranking cyclists at a dinner at the O&H Bar and Bistro in Warragul on Friday October 22. The list includes 2004 European amateur champion Simon Gerrans, super-youngster 18yr old Will Walker, European-based Australian riders Trent Wilson and Russell Van Hout, and past Herald Sun Tour and Tour de France green jersey winner Baden Cooke.
Baw Baw Shire will host the penultimate stage of the Herald Sun Tour of Provincial Victoria this Saturday, October 23rd from Warragul to Mt Baw Baw. The Tour finishes on Sunday, October 24th with a Kermasse event in Traralgon. Australia's toughest 6km climb up Mt Baw Baw, not forgetting the intense 81km of rolling and tough-climbing terrain from Warragul approaching it, is considered by many of the top riders in this year's Herald Sun Tour to be the deciding stage. Already, the early stages of the Tour have been extremely competitive with England's track silver medallist Dean Downing taking the early lead. But he has home-grown Victorians Baden Cooke and David Mackenzie both hot on his heels for time bonuses prior to the mountain stages.
The dinner is a fantastic opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the most exciting racers in the country. Tickets are $25 including a two-course dinner, and can be purchased from Bike Land on 5623 2398. Children's meal deals are also available at a significantly reduced rate.
In other cycling news, the Warragul Cycling Club hosted two events on the weekend, including a local race around the rolling Buln Buln circuit and a recreational ride event over various approaches to Darnum and back. Both events were treated to some fine weather, with good turnouts experienced on both days despite many local riders seeking the challenge of Round the Bay on Sunday.
The newly formed recreational ride group headed out to Darnum for coffee in glorious sunshine via the countryside of Bona Vista before returning via Nilma North. Thirty-two riders enjoyed the scenery, camaraderie, and helpful riding tips on offer. The coffee at Darnum was also well received, with many thanks to Karin Jones for driving the 'sag wagon'. With numbers growing every week, the next event is scheduled for October 23, leaving from the Velodrome at 9am. The recreational group will also host a skills riding day on October 31, hosted by Melbourne-based bunch riding coach Warren Cay. The day is open to both Warragul Cycling Club members (at $10) and non-members ($20), and includes a three hour theory and practical session followed by a BBQ lunch. Registration is essential - contact 5623 2398.
For the racing enthusiasts, the much anticipated climb-off between hot-to-trot flat circuit and sprint specialist Thomas Sandner and climbing supremo John Salton began with sparks but ended in a downhill roll. Prior to the race start it was evident that Salton's closet mid-week training sessions had been matched by Sandner. Yet no amount of training could match the verbal banter between the two, with Sandner clearly nervous under his front on such testing climbing territory. Race tactics were thrown, however, when race directors decided mid-race to shorten the number of laps to complete. The change threw out Salton's race plan, and when Sandner surged up Old Telegraph Road with Josh Akarsu on his heels, it was game over for Salton. With Akarsu happy to stay close behind Sandner, the pace eased and the packed reformed for a bunch finish. Sandner took line honours ahead of Wayne Chester, Josh Akarsu and Matt Malacarne.
A large B-grade field included Chris Hunt, fresh from a recent Caulfield-Carnegie criterium win, and Dean MacIntosh, fresh from spending time with his new baby. With a casual pace on their first lap, the second lap offered no comfort as the group surged thanks to an attack from Hunt. As the pack struggled to organise a chase, Dave Salton, Pete Bailey and Dean MacIntosh became solo riders, with Dave and Dean retiring after lap two. Out in front, Hunt was enjoying his solo effort, putting even more time into the chase pack. His time over three laps was one minute, fifteen seconds quicker than that of A grade. Geoff Thomson brought the pack home in a bustling sprint finish, just pipping Steve Sandner at the post.
C grade also featured a large field thanks to newly promoted rider Daniel de Blauw and the training needs of regular B grade rider Luke Hanley. The field stayed together over their first lap, but when the bell sounded on the altered race distance, Trent Brown was spurred into action. Despite the drive up to Bloomfields Road, the group stayed together, allowing Paul Yeatman to assume the driving position. A surge up one of the rises before Telegraph Road spelt the end for Dave Axford and Monique Hanley, while the remaining pack hung on. Sean Porter led the field up to the final turn, but his effort was too costly. With a bunch sprint pending, Trent Brown used past learning experiences to ensure he did not lead the sprint specialists out and seated behind Rob Monk, used the slingshot from his draft to claim victory over Rob and Ross Henry.
The long awaited return to racing of Ross Dore and the first outing for his lycra-enthusiast son, Sam, finally occurred on Saturday. They joined the spritely D grade bunch for two laps of Buln Buln, the first of which was too costly for youngster Sam Atkinson who retired early. During the second lap, Ross found his legs and put some distance on the bunch. Son Sam took up the chase, followed by a determined Brendan Pridmore and Lawrence Maskill and further back Glenda Pridmore and Steve Jackson. Rod Atkinson's hopes for a podium finish were shattered when his chain broke into one piece too many. Ross continued his good form to finish off the race with a one-minute-plus lead over Sam, followed by Brendan.
Next week's race will be held back at Old Sale Road for the flat circuit specialist. Meet at Beards Track, approximately 14km from the Bloomfields Road turnoff. The recreational riding group will meet on Saturday, October 23 at 9am for a short spin through the South West Shire. More information on all Warragul Cycling Club events is available at www.warragulcyclingclub.org.au.
