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Snowy Wilson Memorial Criterium
Heffron Park, Maroubra, NSW, October 30, 2005
Why me - why not!
By Anthony Tan
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Kitted to the nines in Lance Armstrong's signature line of 10/2 clothing and a Trek bike to boot, Randwick Botany/FRF Couriers rider David Whyman won a photo finish sprint against Liam Kelly to take out the 2005 Snowy Wilson Memorial Criterium sponsored by FRF Couriers.
Both Whyman and Kelly were just two of the favourites going into the final race of the day, the two reversing their positions in the U19/U23/Elite Men's handicap held just an hour before. In the 10 lap/20km event, the scratch bunch managed to catch the four back-marker groups with around four laps remaining before Kelly broke away on his own with two laps to go.
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With his head down, bum up and chain floating in the 12 cog, King Liam impressively held off a large-sized chasing bunch to enjoy a well-earned victory - and even had the time to look over his shoulder at the sprint for second, which was narrowly won by Whyman. Cyclingnews' Chief Editor, Jeff Jones, recently returned from deep, dark (and always rainy) Belgium three days ago, spent much of his time getting over his jet-lag at the back of the scratch bunch, but returned to the fore when it mattered and won the sprint for sixth.
However, a few more riders were saving themselves for the big race of the day, the Snowy Wilson Memorial Criterium, held in honour and memory of Alfred C 'Snow' WIlson and a member of today's organising club for most of his life.
This time, the 100-plus riders were split into four groups, ranging from Group 1 starting off first, Group 2 commencing two minutes later, Group 3 3'15 after them, and the scratch bunch leaving last, needing to make up a 4'45 deficit if one of them were to take out 'The Snowy'.
Once again, the race began under warm, sunny skies, and despite having the largest bunch, it was the scratchies who got themselves well organised early on, while the other grades appeared to lack cohesion. As a consequence, it was all together by the midway mark of the 12 lap/24km event - much too early for any of the back marker riders to stand a chance against more than a few pairs of the fresh and powerful legs that comprised the scratch group.
With four laps remaining, it was previous race winner Liam Kelly and Australian U23 national team member Robbie Cater who drove the pace to create the winning move, with Peter Milostic (Penrith Panthers), Josh Fleming (Sutherland Shire CC/Endeavour Cycles), David Whyman (Randwick Botany CC/FRF Couriers) in there as well, along with two others.
Once established, the break never looked like coming back, and in a six-man sprint, it was Kelly and Whyman who were neck and neck all the way to the line, with commissaires taking plenty of time before Whyman was voted the winner, courtesy of an excellent bike throw right when he needed it.
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Anthony Tan/Cyclingnews.com
- This bunch still think they have a chance in the U19/U23/Elite Men's handicap, which was held one hour before the Snowy Wilson Memorial race. They were wrong.
- Heading towards the bottom left-hander, before two right turns brings you back on the main straight.
- Peter Milostic (Penrith Panthers) decided to make an appearance today, always a supporter of the local race scene.
- The scratch bunch screaming through suburbia.
- Eventual winner Liam Kelly leads Josh Fleming (Sutherland Shire CC/Endeavour Cycles),
- A big bunch crests the second pimple.
- Criteriums hurt.
- The scratch group about to catch the last group out in the front.
- With a couple of laps remaining in the 10 lap race, it was all together.
- The winning move - Liam Kelly breaks away with two laps to go, casually looking over his shoulder as goes it alone.
- Josh Fleming (Sutherland Shire CC/Endeavour Cycles) chases after Kelly, but to no avail.
- Matthew Pettit (Paramatta CC/NSWIS) drives the peloton.
- The peloton dug in deep in pursuit of Kelly, but the White Knight was too good in the U19/Elite Men's handicap.
- Liam Kelly wins with distance to spare...
- ... and even has time for a look at the sprint for second...
- ... which was won by David Whyman (Randwick Botany CC/FRF Couriers, R).
- Part of the Cyclingnews krewe hangin' out between races: Chief Online Editor, Jeff Jones, recently returned from Belgium, and journalist Les Clarke chew the fat.
- Place your bets for the Snowy Wilson Handicap.
- The podium for the U19/Elite Men's handicap.
- On the start line before the Snowy Wilson Memorial Criterium, a 12-lap handicap event with riders split into four groups.
- Nervous energy.
- Plenty of other sports were going on today at Heffron Park, Maroubra.
- One of the back-marker groups strung out early on in the race.
- High-speed cornering in the scratch bunch.
- Blue, sunny skies greeted the riders on Saturday at Heffron Park, Maroubra.
- The Heffron Park circuit can be a bit of a corner-fest at times.
- A few of the back-marker groups weren't working well together, which contributed to their early demise.
- Previous event winner Liam Kelly leads the scratch bunch.
- One of the groups about to tackle the first pimple on the back straight.
- Obligatory spooky shot.
- Les Clarke (Lidcombe Auburn/Cyclingnews) leads his group up the first pimple, which started two minutes ahead of the scratch bunch.
- Cresting the second hill.
- Peter Milostic (Penrith Panthers) leads Australian U23 national team representative Robbie Cater (Randwick Botany CC/FRF Couriers).
- Veteran hard-man Laurent Vignes (Northern Sydney CC), back on his bike after a 10-month absence from the Sydney race scene.
- The scratch group motor down the home straight.
- Les Clarke (Lidcombe Auburn) doing Cyclingnews proud. Yeah.
- Things begin to get interesting after the race's midway point, with all back-marker groups caught by the scratchies.
- Neeeoooow!
- Robbie Cater (Randwick Botany CC/FRF Couriers) and Liam Kelly and Josh Fleming forge the winning break with four laps to go.
- Nervous glances in the front group.
- Josh Fleming (Sutherland Shire CC/Endeavour Cycles) drives the winning move, with eventual winner David Whyman (Randwick Botany CC/FRF Couriers, second wheel) liking Nike's 10/2 Lance-certified kit.
- Two laps to go for the third group out on the road.
- Josh Fleming (Sutherland Shire CC/Endeavour Cycles, R) weighs up his chances against Peter Milostic (Penrith Panthers, L).
- The start of the sprint...
- Liam Kelly (in white, L) and David Whyman (Randwick Botany CC/FRF Couriers, R) go head-to-head with 100 metres to go.
- With 50 to go, it looks like it's Liam Kelly just in front...
- ... but David Whyman (Randwick Botany CC/FRF Couriers, R) hasn't given up, putting in an extra kick...
- ... before both men go hell for leather...
- ... Whyman (R) throws his bike...
- ... Kelly (L) yells 'Yeees!' - but it's Whyman (R) who gets it!!!
- The sprint for seventh place.
- Jeff Jones (Randwick Botany CC/FRF Couriers) comes in to take 10th place and $25. That'll be enough to replace the two tubes he went through today, plus a few bob left over for some Killer Pythons (TM).
- The podium for the Snowy Wilson Memorial Criterium.
- Mixed expressions.
Results
Snowy Wilson Memorial Criterium, 12 laps/ 24 km 1 David Whyman (Randwick Botany CC/FRF Couriers) 2 Liam Kelly 3 Robert Cater (Randwick Botany CC/FRF Couriers) U19/U23/Elite Men's Handicap, 10 laps/ 20 km 1 Liam Kelly 2 David Whyman (Randwick Botany CC/FRF Couriers) 3 More detailed results to follow
