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Kangaroo Point Cycling Club
Kangaroo Point, QLD, August 6, 2005
By Cycle MOK
Another edition of the Cunningham Classic was played out on a fine Saturday morning gracing South East Queensland at this time of year. This would be the 23rd edition of the race promoted by the Kangaroo Point Cycling Club, notably Paul and Betty Battersby, and would take in 156km of undulating terrain. An institution amongst Queensland Cyclists, the 'Cunningham' is a race defined by four distinct sectors, all playing a significant role to determine whose feet would step on to the podium 156 tough kilometres later.
Starting in Dinmore, 20 km out of Brisbane, the race travels along the smooth, hot mix surface of the Warrego Highway. Riders take in some slight climbs through this section at a fairly calm tempo until the Gatton bypass. Taking a left off the Highway, section two of the race begins by tracing through the Suburbs of Gatton for several more kilometres which then sees the first sprint and almost immediately into the first of two feed zones. Following the feed, the peloton is then subjected to the ever welcoming sensations of medium gradient, dead undulating roads which indicate we are now in regional Queensland.
These roads, taking in some cut through roadworks, lead the riders to the start of the third definitive sector of racing, being the start of the only significant climb of the day. At just over 8% average grade and topping out at 10% for just over a kilometre in length, the riders complete the ascent and then are greeted by 6km of steady descent that is heavily exposed to cross headwind. Continuing to the second feed, the pace is always incredibly high through this section as riders that have got a gap look to capitalise and on time they have put in to those that have struggled on the fast pace of the ascent. Arriving at the second feed, of which 1km is an uphill of 4%, riders then face the last significant part of the race.
Section four of the race begins at the left turn toward Warwick. This indicates just over 20km of slight undulations licked by revolting cross headwinds that confirm we are at the back part of the Toowoomba tablelands. The roads are very exposed, long straights and difficult to escape on. Riders watch each other closely so as to not be gapped by those dropping wheels and saving themselves for the finale. The Sprint home is 1000 metres that is a steady slope downward until 75 to go and it kicks up to the finish line. In all, 156km of tough racing taking in stunning scenery.
At just after 9am, Chief Commissaire Merv McDonald gave his signal for game on. Wasting no time in getting away was Team Merida rider Stuart Cowin and Andrew Wilkinson (Team Healthworks). The duo would soon be joined by Jonathan Coulter (Team Healthworks). The peloton was happy for the trio to put a four minute time gap into the lethargic bunch. Whilst Craig Mackie (Murwillumbah) Craig Saunders (River City) and Tenthill Classic winner Brendan Hill (Mondial) formed a chasing trio, albeit briefly, the peloton seemed happy to chase back their effort whilst leaving the initial trio off the front.
Coming into section two of the race as the riders traced through Gatton, nature called and many opted for the stop just 2km before the sprint and subsequent feed zone. With the sprint having been taken out by Andrew Wilkinson, the group would steadily raise the tempo, having just passed through the first feed with Cowin (Merida) and Wilkinson and Coulter (Healthworks) still holding over three minutes lead. The roads began to move up and down slowly whilst more and more the wind would increase in strength. Adrian Booth (Healthworks) made a fruitless attempt at bridging to the escapees with a mechanical forcing the wait to the spares vehicle. With the approach of the climb, Chris White (River City) State Criterium Champion Mark Frendo (UNI) and Chris Pryor (Cycleogical) both were having a go at upping the tempo to split the field. Whilst a few riders popped of the back, the peloton held together up to the bottom of the climb.
At the base of the climb, Peter Garrone (UNI), Chris Pryor (Cycleogical) set about causing the first real selection. Although still chasing the leading trio, with Stuart Cowin taking the KOM over his two companions, the bunch was being whittled down as Garrone again increased the pace of the group up the climb. Matthew Newlands, Craig Mackie and Steven George (Ffast) joined in on affairs as the group passed the KOM with another 20 riders. At the top of the climb and a notable 15 second gap to group 2 meant that the pace was held very high with most riders swapping off at over 60 km/h to hold the gap. Assisted by a slight down hill, the lead 20 riders would power toward the second feed zone and on the way collect the Cowin group.
Represented in the now lead group were Peter Garrone, Mark Frendo (UNI), Nathan Waddell, Anthony Kellen (Flight Centre), Chris Pryor (Cycleogical), Steven George, Ben Van Der Kamp (Ffast), Brendan Hill, Jeremy Betts (MONDIAL insurance), Kurt Dutton, Matthew Newlands and Adrian Booth (Team Healthworks), Kai Rothlisberger , Jeremy Davis and another teammate (MB Coaching), Grant Irwin (QAS, Rockhampton CC) Shane Gill (Goldstars) Simon Small(Victors) and Stuart Cowin(Merida). Rounding out the group was Craig Mackie, Chris White and Craig Saunders (River City) and Brendan O'Connell (Lifecycle).
Coming into the second feed the group continued fluid turns whilst putting more time into the chasers. Exiting the second feed Chris White (River City) maintained steady tempo for the lead group. Taking the left turn into Warwick, attacks came from all points as riders attempted to gain the all important gap into the head crosswind. Echelons across the road meant all held their wheels diligently as attack after attack tempted the bunch to chase. Chris Pryor attacked and was joined by Brendan O'Connell and Adrian Booth. The trio worked hard to get seconds on the bunch and at one point looked at staying away; holding a slim 20 seconds, but with good chasing from Peter Garrone, Craig Mackie and Brendan Hill, their chances of escape was quickly quashed. Peter Garrone attacked and was brought back with attacks from Mark Frendo, Chris Pryor and Brendan O'connell all being fruitless as the bunch was keen to chase back wheels to would be escapees.
3km from the finish and still attempts were made to bid for victory. Notably an in-form Chris Pryor (Cycleogical) loaded his canons of thump and exploded from the group. Pryor was very impressive as he steadily moved away from the peloton intent on looking at each other and not at a man capable of winning this race. Mark Frendo (UNI) was the first to try and bridge to the solo leader, which was enough to have the bunch switch to top gear, with Steven George setting the pace. Having been very quiet in the days' racing plus with little or no effort put into chasing, the front of the bunch began to see the likes of Shane Gill (Goldstars) and Jeremy Davis (MB coaching). Also moving toward the front is previous winner Anthony Kellen (Flight Centre) and Brendan hill (MONDIAL Insurance). Taking the final left into the 1 kilometre finishing straight, Pryor still held just over 75 metre gap to a flying peloton. Pryor was not about to give up as he buried himself just that little bit more to hold off for the win, but it was not to be as at 400 to go he was overtaken. Now in the throws of an all out sprint, noted fast men Grant Irwin (QAS), Jeremy Betts and Brendan Hill (Mondial), Ben Van Der Kamp (Ffast) all stampeded toward the finish line. As the road began its final small rise to victory, Shane Gill (Goldstars) and Mark Frendo (UNI) both blasted toward the line with Irwin (QAS) in close pursuit. In the end it was Gill over Irwin closely followed by Frendo. Rounding out the top five was Kai Rothlisberger (MB Coaching) and Ben Van Der Kamp (Ffast).
Special thanks to the Battersby family and Kangaroo Point C C, to the SES volunteers and the Queensland Police Service. Special mention to the efforts of cycling Queensland and Chief Commissaire Merv McDonald. To the riders for fair and fast racing and their supporters for holding the drinks and the lifts back to Brisbane - you're the best!
Results
A Grade Elite Men - 156 km 1 Shane Gill (Goldstars) 2 Grant Irwin (Rockhampton) 3 Mark Frendo (University) 4 Craig Cahill (CATS) 5 Ben Vanderkamp (Ffast) Gatton Sprint: Andrew Wilkinson (Victor) KOM: Stuart Cowin (Bicisport) B Grade Elite Men - 96 km 1 Jeremy Davis (Ffast) 2 William Evans (University) 3 Mark Brady (CATS) 4 Ivan Vella (University) 5 Bradley Gardam (Lifecycle) KOM Ben Manson (University) C Grade Elite Men - 96 km 1 Stuart Disley (University) 2 Matthew Ryan (Ffast) 3 Tim O'Donnell (University) 4 Michael Stager (University) 5 Brett Dobinson (Ipswich) KOM David Dobinson (Ipswich ) Junior U/19 Men - 96 km 1 Kyle Bateson (CATS) 2 Shaun Morris (Shepparton) 3 Ben Fleming (Hamilton Pine Rivers) KOM Kyle Bateson (CATS) Masters 'A' Grade - 96 km 1 Glenn Fordham (Logan City) 2 Lauchlan Sanders (Lifecycle) 3 Russell Tucker (Rockhampton) 4 Jon Guy (Lifecycle) 5 Richard Moye (S/Coast) KOM Jon Guy (Lifecycle) Masters 'B' Grade - 96 km 1 Jeffrey Liddell (Sunshine Coast) 2 Adam Harrison (Hamilton Pine Rivers) 3 Timothy Goulding (University) 4 John Schaab (Lifecycle) 5 Bruce Phelps (Grafton) KOM Tim Goulding (University) Masters 'C' 1 Grade - 96 km 1 Trevor Gordon (NRG) 2 Steven Henderson (Balmoral) 3 Frans De Beurs (Wynnum/Redlands) 4 Robert Eckel (C.R.A.B.S.) 5 Greg Carr (The Riders Club) KOM Kim Crockart Masters 'C' 2 Grade - 96 km 1 Shane Poole (Bikeline) 2 Arthur Puie (Broncos) 3 Neil Trembath (Wynnum/Redlands) 4 Michael McLachlan (Rockhampton) 5 Michael McCall (Murwillumbah) KOM Michael McLachlan (Rockhampton) Masters 'D' Grade Men & Women 1 Bryan Ferris (Hamilton Pine Rivers) 2 Ron Hickson (Rockhampton) 3 Katie Smith (Rockhampton) 4 Malcolm Allen (Toowoomba) 5 Gary Wardrop (Goldstars) KOM Geoff Meade (Sunshine Coast ) Unplaced Woman Linda O'Connor Melissa Anderson (Hamilton Pine Rivers) Women - 96km 1 Louise Kerr (University) 2 Sally Cowman (Victor) 3 Emma Mackie (University) 4 Anouska Edwards (Rockhampton) 5 Louise Winks (Ipswich) QOM Yoko Okuda (CATS) 1st Unplaced U/19 Joanna Von Berky (HPR)
