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Waeco Darren Smith Cycle Classic - NE
Kingscliff, NSW, Australia, November 25, 2007
Pros lend their support to Darren Smith Cycle Classic
By Tim Francis
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For the second year running the Waeco Darren Smith Cycle Classic was run at the Peppers Salt Resort at Kingscliff on the Far North Coast of New South Wales. Situated 15 minutes from Coolangatta Airport, the five star resort shuts down its car park and local streets to accommodate this great event. There was $10,000 prize money on offer with generous support from Waeco Mobile Solutions, Bruce Lynton BMW and Salt Village by the Sea.
The race is run by the Gold Coast CATS Cycling Club to remember the great man Darren Smith who was tragically killed in a road accident whilst out training.
Due to its close proximity to the Gold Coast, the race attracted a star studded field with the likes of Robbie McEwen, Nick Gates, Henk Vogels, Jason Phillips and Matthew White, who flew up from Sydney to remember his old riding mate. Along with the local crew and the Ord Minnett team, it sure was a first class field.
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The race had been previously won twice by Jason Phillips and that was how it started straight out of the blocks, as Phillips was determined to make it three in a row. He was reeled in by the 45-strong bunch after a couple of laps when the attacks started and that was the theme for the day. With eight sprint primes thrown in for good measure, it was always going to be a tough race.
The first decisive break was started by Steven George (Ord Minnett) who was quickly joined by Henk Vogels (Toyota United). These two built up a 15-second lead and circulated in front for a few laps before being joined by Jonathan Cantwell (Team Scody). The three went on to pull away by around 25 seconds until Jason Phillips launched out of the bunch to bridge to the leaders. They worked well until the bunch got organised and brought them back with 15 minutes remaining.
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It was then apparent that this race was going to come down to a bunch sprint. With the temperature hitting 32 degrees it was starting to have an effect on the ever shrinking bunch. The hard hitting pros seemed to want this race to themselves, often riding off the front and leaving a fair few down the back in a spot of bother.
With three laps remaining it was Robbie McEwen, Nick Gates and Jonathan Cantwell in control. Looking for the big lead out from McEwen, Cantwell punctured with one lap to go leaving Gates to do it for his good mate Robbie.
Into the finish straight it was Gates leading McEwen followed by Darcy Rosenlund and Henk Vogels. These four were able to miss a large crash in the last 50 metres, where young up and coming local rider Jackson Wardrop came down when on course for a top-five finish in his first elite criterium.
McEwen took full advantage of Gates' leadout, taking the victory from Rosenlund and Vogels.
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Tim Francis
- The A grade chase at the bell.
- A Grade get the two laps to go board.
- Dave Costanzo gets the gap at the bell in A grade.
- Hey, are we on QLD or NSW time?
- The front row of the elite men's grid.
- Jason Phillips wears number one after winning last year.
- Mark Brady (Team Scody).
- Mathew White sits behind Jason Phillips.
- Ord Minett on the charge.
- Bit hot Henk?
- The Waeco crew were handing out cool drinks.
- McEwen exits fast from a corner.
- Three laps to go.
- The heat was on right from the start.
- The main straight at Peppers Salt Resort in Kingscliffe.
- McEwen wins, missing the carnage in the background.
- Robbie McEwen celebrates with his family.
- The elite men's podium (l-r): Henk Vogels, Robbie McEwen and Darcy Rosenlund.
- The A grade winners.
- Robbie with Darren Smith's father Dennis.
Results
Pro men 1 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Predictor-Lotto 2 Darcy Rosenlund (Aus) 3 Henk Vogels (Aus) Toyota United A grade men 1 Harry Hetherton (Aus) 2 Mark Brady (Aus) 3 Trevor Gordon (Aus)
