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Warragul Cycling Club
September 18, 2004
Bikers breeze through Buln Buln
Tough climbs, nagging cross winds and a super fast finish were the trademarks of the Buln Buln race circuit hosted for the first time by the Warragul Cycling Club on Saturday. Excitement over racing on new territory attracted a strong turnout despite the discouraging weather conditions and resident magpies out on course. Riders lined up for various laps of the circuit, committing themselves to the challenge despite no one being too sure on the exact distance of the lap!
The Buln Buln circuit involves barely a flat stretch of pavement as the course steadily climbs out from Buln Buln towards Bloomfields Road, where three sharp hills are encountered before turning into Telegraph Road to cut across the hills. On joining Brandy Creek Road outside of Rokeby, a short pinch punishes riders, immediately followed by a long slow climb up to Old Sale Road and into the 2km downhill finish back to Buln Buln. A strong westerly wind means for much of the 16.5km circuit riders must battle largely unassisting crosswinds.
Each field completed their first lap of the course under control to help riders with their bearings and to protect themselves on-masse from the magpies. For D grade, this meant a cruise on par with a Sunday drive as they completed their lap in 38 minutes. Following the bell, new club member Sean Porter stirred proceedings by lifting the pace on the climb out from Buln Buln, taking Vic Spunner with him. However, a nasty mechanical problem left Porter with no option but to remain in the small ring at the front - perfect for climbing hills, but not so great on the descents. On each climb he found himself putting distance between himself and Spunner, but at the bottom of each downhill he would turn to find cagey Vic pumping on the pedals in the big ring and remaining at a dangerous distance. The mechanical limitations inspired Porter to surge up the Brandy Creek climb and he spun madly on the downhill finish to take the win, his first ever with the club. His quick cadence resulted in a 50 second gap to Spunner who finished second. Shortly behind Spunner, Lawrence Maskill broke free from Steve Jackson with a strong surge up Brandy Creek hill, backing herself to storm home for the final podium place.
The C grade field were happy to allow Paul Yeatman to steer the way along the first half of the course, with Trent Brown contributing to some strong turns at the front over the first lap. Brown continued to lead the way on the climb out from Buln Buln with some assistance from Rob Monk, but Monique Hanley surprised herself by riding clear of the pack by Bloomfields Road. Paul Yeatman soon joined her, and together they worked into the crosswind for 5km until a tiring Hanley sought comfort from the chase peloton, led by Brown. Yeatman remained at-large along Telegraph Road under the watchful gaze of the pack and he eventually returned to the bunch before the turn onto Brandy Creek Road. Some surges along the Road kept the heart rates high, but a surprising launch for the line by Brown with 2km remaining left the field slow to react. Yeatman eventually increased the pace to track down Brown, while hesitation cost the remaining field a chance for victory. In a classic example of why a race is never over until you cross the finish line, Brown rolled towards race director Staf thinking about his winning salute when from nowhere Yeatman stole the show and the win. Monique Hanley finished third ahead of Glenn Fisher, Rob Monk and Dave Axford.
B grade completed three laps of the course, but pace control over their first lap wasn't evident as Chris Beales and Garry Wishart achieved a small gap on the field as Luke Hanley was punished from a lack of match fitness. Beales' effort was costly, and his form blew away with the westerly along Old Sale Road. Wishart continued to stir up the pack with a handful of attacks that found him clear on a few occasions. By the end of lap two Justen O'Connor was another casualty of the pace as Beales retired. The remaining bunch stayed together over their final lap which meant great viewing of the finish for those watching on the sidelines. Steve Sandner just edged out Wishart for the win, with Geoff Thomson third. Pete Bailey finished off the bunch, followed by O'Connor and Hanley.
Racing wasn't meant to be much fun for the A grade bunch, unless of course you were Thomas Sandner or John Mackenzie. The duo toyed with some attacking and counter-attacking on the second lap, gaining clearance of the field by Bloomfields Road. Behind them Wayne Chester teamed up with Latrobe Valley rider Charles Howlett, and they chase was on for the breakaway. Pete Finlayson opted to switch racing grades mid-race, while Steve Twining battled to keep in touch in the windy conditions. For Sandner and Mackenzie, the two focussed on pushing ahead of the field, keeping each other on their toes with tough turns at the front. Sandner took control of the pace up Brandy Creek Road by stirring the pace. As Mackenzie reached his limits, Sandner wound it up one more time to shake free on the turn into the finish. He sailed into the finish the claim the win with Mackenzie shortly behind. Wayne Chester hung on after a tight sprint finish to claim third over Howlett.
Next week's racing will be held out at Shady Creek. Racing starts from 2pm at Shady Creek Primary School.
Recreational Riding News: The Club launch of the new recreational riding group will be held on Sunday October 3rd from the Warragul Velodrome. The group is a great way to meet and ride with others who have similar biking interests. Interested riders can receive assistance at the Velodrome with bike set-up, riding tips, and find out the benefits of joining the Club. 2005 Club membership and Cycle Australia ride licence signup opportunities will be available on the day, before the group embarks on their first recreational ride. Three different rides will be on offer, depending on personal ability and fitness levels. Each group will meet for coffee at Darnum before finishing the ride back at the Velodrome.
More information is available at the Club website; www.warragulcyclingclub.org.au
