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Eastern Suburbs Cycling Club
Heffron Park Summer Series #11, Maroubra, NSW - Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Storm clouds part for a great end of season finale
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The storm clouds which threatened Sydney all day somehow stayed away from Heffron Park and the last round of the Eastern Suburbs' summer crits was held in dry but heavy conditions with even a touch of the 'race of the falling leaves' feeling about it. More importantly the clouds of anger and frustration which have surrounded racing in recent weeks also parted when Easts directeur sportif, Francesco Alcino Conceição addressed the riders before the start and spoke glowingly of the event's many fine attributes and how next summer is going to be bigger and better than ever with more competitive handicaps and increased prizemoney. Roll on summer 2008!
The highlight of the pre race programme was undoubtedly the presentation of the flowers and thank you gifts to the race volunteers who made the race happen each week: Helen and Fred Vella, Jenny Spurgeon, Joanne Palazzetti, Colin Ironmonger and Anna Fortuna. Thanks must also go to Pat Johnston who's calming influence has been sorely missed because of interstate work commitments.
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The new look B grade got racing underway with Scott Simpson finally getting the nod from above to ride with his peers after weeks of posting consistent C grade results. C grade had a much more, well, C grade look to it and it was good to see the likes of Roger Shackleton, John Crouchley, Hans Visch, Wayne Gould and even the girls Kate Osborne and Amber Jenkins getting a chance to mix it on the front. A grade were on a mission from the gun and were strengthened by the presence of triathlete Chris Koke and mountain bike gun Perren Delacour and despite putting some of last weeks newly promoted B graders in the hurt box, former NSW State Road champ from the 80's Steve Griffiths showed he can still mix it up over 15 laps with the big hitters.
All three bunches came together in the closing laps in another piece of precision handicapping and the scene was set for a thrilling last race showdown which was witnessed by a large crowd. Obviously the word was out that a slab of Portugal's finest beer 'Sagres' was in the ice bucket. No chicken drumsticks to nibble on though. With his mind still very much on the race Dave Early nearly pulled off a winning break with Chris Koke but they were reeled in on the last lap. This was all the opportunity Stewart Campbell needed to launch the race winning move and along with Tim Willing gapped the field to sprint home in front of a fast finishing Pete McDonald. Adam Socha has sniffed around the fringes of B grade all season and finally had a go to record a good B grade win, while Matt Carter grabbed second to restrict Ben Elliott to third and second in the B grade comp. Campbell Davison was the best of the C grade bunch and Amber Jenkins had a great ride to finish second.
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In the final points tally Anthony Spurgeon walked away with the Series first prize of a new Trek Madone 6.9 frame and reinforced his claim as the King of Heffron. Mark Ardouin wrapped up second in the series while Andrew Duggan tied for third with Tim Willing who was without doubt one of the most consistent riders all season and will be hoping for a few more wins next year.
John Peppard held onto his lead in the B grade comp despite a late challenge from teenager Ben Elliott who can look forward to A grade next summer. John Sunde got third and after 21 years of racing on Tuesday nights it's still a thrill to go home with an envelope, especially when it comes from Frank. Mark Ardouin and Andrew Duggan shared the spoils in C grade and demonstrated their rapid rise through the ranks with consistently good rides. Their Easts team mate Scott Simpson got third and showed he will have no trouble handling the demands of B grade in future.
Whether, you lasted one lap or fifteen laps, just managed to finish or placed in the money, well done to the over 150 riders who came to race at Heffron over the last five months. Whilst the 21st season had it's high points and low points the event is still a very important feature on Sydney's summer racing calendar and with changes planned for the future, it can only get better. Thirty weeks to go till next summer, so ride safely over winter bring on summer 2008!
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Mariano Enjuto Mangas
- Now listen here youse hombres! - Frank Conceicao addresses the field prior to the start.
Images by Karen Firncarne
- And the thank you's go to, from left Colin, Anna, Helen, Jo and Jenny.
Images by Mariano Enjuto Mangas
- The new look B grade gets racing underway for the final race of the summer.
- C grade had a much more civilised look about it.
Images by Dave Bateman
- Mark Newton was a consistent performer in B grade seen here leading the bunch down the straight.
- Mountain biker Perren Delacour (right) was back in the action at Heffron.
- Dave Early put another strong ride with consistent turns and a late race breakaway.
- Luke Davison had no problem coping with the demands of A grade.
Images by Stuart Baker
- A solid breakaway by Dave Early and Chris Koke almost stayed away in the closing laps.
Images by Dave Bateman
- Stewart Campbell winds it up for the sprint.
Images by Stuart Baker
- The three leaders Stewart Campbell, Tim Willing and Pete McDonald cross the line.
Images by Andrew Duggan
- The Kings of C grade for 2007 from left, Scott Simpson (3rd), Mark Ardouin (1st) and Andrew Duggan (2nd).
- The Kings of B grade for 2007 from left, John Peppard (1st), Ben Elliott (2nd) and John Sunde (3rd).a
- The King reigns for another year. Anthony Spurgeon holds the Series first prize of Trek Madone 6.9 frame and poses with runners up Mark Ardouin, Andrew Duggan and Tim Willing.
Results
Overall 1 Stewart Campbell (Easts) 2 Tim Willing (Easts) 3 Peter McDonald (FRF Couriers/NSWIS) 4 Liam Kelly (Sydney) 5 Luke Davison (Randwick Botany) B Grade 1 Adam Socha (Nth Sydney) 2 Matt Carter (Easts) 3 Ben Elliott (Randwick Botany) C Grade 1 Campbell Davison (Randwick Botany) 2 Amber Jenkins (Sydney) 3 Andrew Kirk (Randwick Botany) Final Summer Series Pointscore 1 Anthony Spurgeon 25 pts 2 Mark Ardouin 19 3 Andrew Duggan 17 4 Tim Willing 17 5 Peter McDonald 12 10 Stewart Campbell 9 6 Luke Davison 8 6 Jeff Hopkins 7 6 Fergus Bermingham 7 6 Rochelle Gilmore 7 7 Steve Fitzpatrick 6 7 Jason Webb 6 7 Ben Isaksen 5 7 Peter Fitzpatrick 5 7 Frank Conceicao 5 8 Robbie Cater 4 8 Aaron Richardson 4 9 Jose Rodriguez 3 9 Chris Garrad 3 9 Anthony Challinor 3 11 Liam Kelly 3 10 Warren Scott 2 10 Joe McDonnell 2 10 Michael Lynch 2 10 Kevin Vlahos 2 10 Wayne Firncarne 2 11 Gemma O'Brien 1 11 Luis Trueba 1 B Grade Series 1 John Peppard 10 pts 2 Ben Elliott 9 3 John Sunde 8 4 Stan Genakis 5 4 Matt Carter 5 4 Adam Socha 5 5 Nic Rathborne 4 6 Luke Davison 3 6 Brent Dawson 3 6 Steve Griffiths 3 7 Brad Glennan 2 7 Dave Stevens 2 7 Mark Newton 2 8 Warwick Edwards 1 8 Scott Callum 1 8 John Kenny 1 8 Sean Vale 1 8 Todd Sinclair 1 C Grade Series 1 Mark Ardouin 10 pts 1 Andrew Duggan 10 2 Scott Simpson 8 3 John Greally 5 3 Frank Conceicao 5 4 Rochelle Gilmore 3 4 Fergus Bermingham 3 4 Dave Stevens 3 4 Campbell Davison 3 5 Kevin Vlahos 2 5 Sen Mitsuji 2 5 Aaron Richardson 2 5 Jason Webb 2 5 Amber Jenkins 2 6 Gemma O'Brien 1 6 Chris Garrad 1 6 Andrew Kirk 1 A Grade 1 Anthony Spurgeon 13 pts 1 Tim Willing 13 2 Peter McDonald 8 3 Liam Kelly 7 4 Peter Fitzpatrick 5 5 Jose Rodriguez 4 5 Stewart Campbell 4 6 Jeff Hopkins 3 6 Steve Fitzpatrick 3 6 Robbie Cater 3 7 Anthony Challinor 2 8 Ben Isaksen 1
Results
Series Sprint King C Grade
2006 Aaron Richardson Dave Evans Peter O'Connor
2005 Anthony Spurgeon Liam Kelly Chris Reynolds
2004 Jose Rodriguez Matthew Lucas Keegan Aitchison
2003 Craig Dempsey Robert Cater Craig Dempsey
2002 Anthony Spurgeon Todd Sinclair Clive Hammerson
2001 Stewart Campbell John Sunde David Johanson
2000 Stewart Campbell Tony Iannacito Victor Pires
