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Renae's race
Technology Park, Perth, Western Australia - Sunday, February 11, 2007
By Brett Russell
Today's memorial race was run in near perfect conditions as opposed to the previous few weeks' racing where it was extremely hot and windy. Separate grades were run for juniors, men's and the main women's race today.
B & C Grade combined
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Due to the lack of numbers in C grade it was decided to combine both C and B grade. The race got off to another quick start, this time due to the big effort put in by Darren Hawley, who spent two laps on the front. Darren later told me that "The only person he made suffer was himself" and spent the next few minutes trying to recover. However, it was obvious that perhaps he had inflicted some pain on others as the oldest rider in the bunch Mick Russell was seen suffering at the rear of the field (or perhaps just trying to get a good mark for the upcoming Westral wheel race) and spent the rest of the race getting back in, and then back out, of the bunch.
With numerous attacks during the race, none of which had the leg power to stay away it was left to the crafty Marty Van Morsal to give it one last try, however it was not to be and the bunch was back together again with one lap to go. Coming into the last corner, two riders had a small gap on the field and were pushing hard to stay clear, unfortunately the front rider was unlucky to ride over a fallen pine cone, which left him lying on the ground as the others came flying by. In the end it was young Mr Tudehope that took a convincing win, with Dave Rawlings leading the bunch home.
A Grade
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With all the usual contenders lining up for another crack at winning this hard fought race, it was never going to be an easy event. With Marty Depiazzi from Glen Parker Cycles and Todd Francis from Riders Choice putting in big turns early in the race, the bunch was in single file for most of the race. On an unforgiving circuit, that allowed little time for recovery, a few riders were unable to hold the pace.
In perhaps one of his last appearances before he packs up and moves to Tasmania, local hard man Jason Rigg put in a solid performance and was seen moving about the bunch ready to go with the right move. However it was not to be today as there was no break away that looked like sticking. This didn't stop Wayne Evans from Cyclemania giving it one last go at trying to break clear in the closing laps, with his brother Brian policing the front of the field in the hope they just might not bring him back.
At this late stage in the race there was no way the riders from Glen Parkers were going to let anything get away and Hilton McMurdo gave the perfect lead out for Eddy Hollands, who looked certain for the win. Eddy looked ready to raise his arms in triumph when out of no where came fellow Glen Parker team mate Carlo Barendila wrenching on the bike like he was trying to tame the beast.
Carlo just beating Eddy for the victory he has felt coming for some time, as he so graciously told me when we were training the week before, saying "The form is coming Brett, the form is coming." And indeed it looks like his form has arrived, with a great win in memory of Renae Baker.
Women
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The women's race was the main event for today, and they did not disappoint. All riders were keen to win the race, and it showed as the pace increased as the race went by. As usual there were attempts to get away from the field but it was the rider of the moment Emma Pooley that did her fair share of work in bringing the breaks back, each time putting pressure on some of the riders towards the rear of the field, with a few unable to stay with the field and continued to put on a brave face and finish the race.
At about the half way point Emma Pooley decided that she was not going to chase any more breakaway attempts, instead she was going to break away herself. Emma managed to escape the main field and never looked like being caught again, as she tapped away on the pedals, gaining more and more time each lap. In the end she basically lapped the field and came across the finish line to take the win with the rest of the field only a couple of bike lengths away from being lapped.
Another great ride from Emma who looks to be setting a new benchmark in women's cycling in WA.
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Brett Russell
- Mick Russell stays focused.
- Darren Hawley leads B Grade.
- Marty Van Morsal, always happy to be racing.
- Who's number one?
- Marty Depiazi leads.
- Riders strung out up "the mountain".
- Rhys Sherborne leads eventual winner Carlo Barrendilla.
- Hilton McMurdo driving.
- A roll in the park!
- Tod Francis - always willing to work.
- Jason Rigg - Ready to move?
- What's everyone smiling for? Or is that pain?
- Carlo Barrendilla outsprints Hollands...
- ...while McMurdo celebrates.
- Emma Pooley looking for some assistance.
- Emma Pooley almost laps the field to get the win.
- The men's podium.
- The women's podium.
Results
A Grade 1 C. Barrendilla 2 E. Hollands 3 K. Van Haag 4 W. Van Morsal B Grade 1 M. Tudehope 2 D. Rawlings 3 J. Burrell 4 M. Van Morsal Women 1 E. Pooley 2 R. Jakowlski 3 S. Fraser Junior A 1 L Durbridge Junior B 1 J. Baldey
