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Carnegie Caulfield Cycling Club
Glenvale Crescent, Melbourne, January 2, 2005
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By Mal Sawford
With the tsunami tragedy striking South East Asia over the Christmas break, Carnegie Caulfield felt it appropriate to dedicate the first race of the New Year to a fund raiser for victims of the devastation. The field of just under 150 riders donated all their entries fees, and no prize money was paid, enabling the club to contribute $1000 towards the Red Cross Australia's 'Asia Quake and Tsunamis Appeal'. Many riders and officials were happy to give more than the five dollar minimum to the worthy cause, with Athens Paralympic pilot Rob Crowe digging extra deep to help the club reach the $1000 target.
Despite the fact they were racing for pride only, the lack of prize money didn't lessen the quality of racing, with many of the A Grade field taking a last opportunity for a hit out ahead of the Jayco Bay Classic. With the pace on from the opening lap, riders were being shelled after only a few minutes on the high speed circuit. As expected, two of the best criterium riders around were inflicting most of the damage: Rob Tighello (Richmond Cyclery) and Hilton Clarke (Navigators). Ten minutes in, the pair had shaken off the bunch, and working with former World Junior MTB Champion Trent Lowe and Richard England (Le Tour Cycles), were rocketing away from the bunch.
A lap later, Jonathan Clarke (VIS) and Brendan Rowbotham (Fitzroy Cycles) made contact, and that was the last the bunch would see of the break - until they were lapped in the second half of the race! Midway through the hour England lost contact with the leaders, prompting Tighello and the Clarke brothers to attack again as they neared the tail of the main bunch. Lowe and Rowbotham were unable to respond, and settled into the main pack, but were quickly forced to keep the pressure on to defend their advantage over the bunch - as a large group had gone clear a few minutes earlier and were in danger of also lapping the shattered bunch. In the end, Tighello proved too strong, soloing in for the win ahead of Hilton and Jonny. Rowbotham attacked Lowe before the final corner to wrap up fourth, while Paul Richards (MG-ZT) led the rest home for the final points in the Inexa - Team Alex Series.
B Grade also saw a break go clear, much to the shock of most of the bunch. Alex Smyth (Inexa - Team Alex) joined Glen Wright (Giramondo) and Boon Chia on the attack fifteen minutes in. The trio was quickly out of sight and out of mind of most of the bunch, until Dave Eadie (BikeNOW) and James Shepherdson launched their own chase ten minutes later. Eventually their chase was successful, and the five man lead group combined well to keep the bunch at bay in the closing stages. Smyth judged the dash to the line best, taking the win by a wheel in a tight sprint from Shepherdson and Eadie. When the bunch flashed home thirty seconds later with only the prestigious Women's places up for grabs it was Kirsty Bortolin (The Freedom Machine) who proved the one to watch in the Bay Classic, leading home Emma Rickards (Victory Brewing) and Inexa - Team Alex series leader Gemma Goyne (BikeNOW).
Both the C and D Grade races finished with bunch sprints, despite never-ending attacks. Bob Kelly seemed determined to show off his new bike, and junior Joel Rogers was prominent in C Grade early on, but the sprinters had the last laugh. Trent Brown jumped very early, holding a fifty metre advantage into the home straight, and despite hitting the wall in the final metres held on by an inch ahead of a fast finishing Michael Thomas, with Wayne Evans and Wayne Andrew filling the minor places. Sam Beveridge and Frank 'the Appeal was my idea' Reardon were the aggressors in D Grade, with Justin O'Brien chipping in with a long lone break in the closing stages. Once again, however, it all came down to a bunch kick with the Women coming out on top!
Michelle Murrell led into the home straight with Andrea Bishop in tow, and denied all attempts to run the pair down. Tony Gill made up ground late, but had to settle for third ahead of Michael Boyce. Completing his first race in A Grade, Tom Walker continues to lead the $7000 Inexa - Team Alex Summer Series, ahead of Tommy Nankervis. Michael Thomas jumped to third after his second placing, while Gemma Goyne leads Louisa Judd by a single point in the Women's competition.
Carnegie Caulfield Criteriums continue every Tuesday night with Twilight Racing at Sandown starting at 6.30pm for all grades, with access to the circuit via Sandown Road from 6pm. Sunday mornings are at Glenvale Crescent (Melways map 80B2). C, D and E Grades start at 9am, while A and B Grade ride at 10am. All holders of 2005 Cycling Australia licenses are welcome (don't forget to bring your license or receipt!) and non-members can have a go by taking out a day license for $20.. For first time competitors and the younger juniors, Tokyo Olympian Mick Hollingsworth conducts novice racing clinics at Glenvale Crescent. For further details, including full standings in the Inexa Series, go to www.carnegiecycling.com.au.
Results
A Grade 1 hour + 3 laps, 54 Starters 1 Robert Tighello (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Hilton Clarke (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Jonathan Clarke (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Brendan Rowbotham (Carnegie Caulfield) 5 Trent Lowe (Carnegie Caulfield) 6 Paul Richards (Warragul) B Grade 1 hour + 3 laps, 38 Starters 1 Alex Smyth (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 James Shepherdson (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 David Eadie (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Glen Wright (Footscray) 5 Boon Chia (Carnegie Caulfield) Women 1 Kirsty Bortolin (Blackburn) 2 Emma Rickards (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Gemma Goyne (Carnegie Caulfield) C Grade 55 minutes + 3 laps, 33 Starters 1 Trent Brown (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Michael Thomas (Blackburn) 3 Wayne Evans (Blackburn) 4 Wayne Andrew (Carnegie Caulfield) Women Louisa Judd (Carnegie Caulfield) D Grade 50 minutes + 3 laps, 23 Starters 1 Michelle Murrell (Mornington) 2 Andrea Bishop (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Tony Gill (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Michael Boyce (Carnegie Caulfield) Women 1 Michelle Murrell (Mornington) 2 Andrea Bishop (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Nana Jernstrom (Carnegie Caulfield) E Grade 45 minutes + 3 laps 1 Dale Reith (Blackburn) 2 Sally Beveridge (Carnegie Caulfield)
