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Carnegie Caulfield Cycling Club
Sandown Raceway, Melbourne, January 11, 2005
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By Mal Sawford
The hottest Melbourne day this summer (38 degrees at 6.30pm!) made things extremely tough for just under one hundred riders who took to the Sandown track. With the heat came a strong northerly wind, allowing super high speeds down the main straight, but making the climb up the back straight a long, slow slog.
A Grade numbers were down a little, with many resting after five days of tough Bay Classic Crits, and there was nowhere to hide when the attacks started coming thick and fast. Brendan Rowbotham and team mate Matt Chessum (Fitzroy Cycles) were aggressive early, but were caught behind dead wheels when the big move went. Six riders went clear, led by big Robbie Crowe (HLP/Ridewiser), Darren Lapthorne (Lloyd Morgan/BikePRO) and Doug Garley (Terry Hammond Cycles). Regular hard men Matt Shea (Naughty Boy) and Josh Vanderveen made the split, as did Sunday's winner Warren Knevitt (O'Mara Cycles). Knevitt was clearly saving himself for the sprint, but the final time up the hill saw Crowe and Lapthorne open a five second gap, which the others could not close. Crowe led the sprint out, and despite riding his new Bianchi - which he had had picked up only two hour s earlier, was able to hold off the determined charge by Lapthorne. Knevitt had to settle for third, leading the rest of the break home.
B Grade also saw a group go clear, containing arguably two of the strongest B Grade vets around - Bruce Will and Peter McWeeney. Together with Simon Vandestadt and Tony McGarrigle, they reveled in the windy conditions and quickly had the bunch out of contention. Despite agreeing to be 'all in' at the call of two to go (Bruce, you're supposed to make those arrangements well away from the Commissaire and spectators!), the sprint to the line was a cracker, with Will just holding off McWeeney. Darren Spiteri claimed the final prize by leading the bunch in for fifth place.
The only bunch sprint for the night came in C Grade, where Daniel Loy showed impressive speed in the roaring tail wind to hold off Wayne Andrew, Adam Montford and Gareth Martyn. Andrew's recent run of high finishes sees him get the push up to B Grade next time round, while Louisa Judd (Hampton Cycles) won't be far behind after another win in the C Grade Women's division. Bunch sprints are the norm in D Grade, but veteran John Sheard (Pro-Motion Bicycles) slipped the field on the final climb, to run out a popular and clear winner. Second went to Mike Milewski in his first ride with the club, ahead of Jordan Griffiths and Andrew Rose. Andrea Bishop was the leading lady, and is now the leading woman in the Inexa - Team Alex Australia Summer Series.
Tom Walker, although out of the places in a tough A Grade race, maintained his lead in the Inexa series, but is now only four points ahead of Wayne Andrew after Andrew's promotion to B Grade. Carnegie Caulfield Criteriums continue Sundays at Glenvale Crescent (Melways map 80B2). C, D and E Grades start at 9am, while A and B Grade ride at 10am. Tuesday night Twilight Racing at Sandown start at 6.30pm for all grades, with access to the circuit via Sandown Road from 6pm. All holders of 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. 2005 licenses are also now available. For first time competitors and the younger juniors, Tokyo Olympian Mick Hollingsworth conducts novice racing clinics at Glenvale Crescent. For further details, go to www.carnegiecycling.com.au.
Photography
Images by Mal Sawford
- Doug Garley leads the A Grade break past C Grade
- Bruce Will on the charge in B Grade
- B Grade chased the four leaders in vain
- All together in C Grade
- D Grade action
Results
A Grade 1 hour + 2 laps, 18 Starters 1 Robert Crowe (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Darren Lapthorne (Coburg) 3 Warren Knevitt (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Josh Vanderveen (Carnegie Caulfield) 5 Doug Garley (Carnegie Caulfield) 6 Matt Shea (Carnegie Caulfield) B Grade 55 minutes + 2 laps, 32 Starters 1 Bruce Will (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Peter McWeeney (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Simon Vandestadt (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Tony McGarrigle (Noble Park-Dandenong) 5 Darren Spiteri (Latrobe City) C Grade 50 minutes + 2 laps, 28 Starters 1 Daniel Loy (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Wayne Andrew (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Adam Montford (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Gareth Martyn (Carnegie Caulfield) Women Louisa Judd (Carnegie Caulfield) D Grade 45 minutes + 2 laps, 15 Starters 1 John Sheard (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Michael Milewski (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Jordan Griffiths (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Andrew Rose (Carnegie Caulfield) Women Andrea Bishop (Carnegie Caulfield)
