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Carnegie Caulfield CC
Sandown Raceway, December 2, 2003
De Luca holds off Lademann
By Mal Sawford
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Ominous black clouds, lightning and hail storms to the north didn't stop a big field assembling for the weekly twilight series at Sandown Raceway. Their optimism was rewarded, with racing completed moments before the storm struck.
After a few unsuccessful attacks, the first break to stick in A Grade consisted of Leigh De Luca (Specialized), Australian Club Champion Chris Bradford (CBD Cycles), Nick Kiraly (Mongoose/SRAM), Rob Young (Team MG-ZT) and Ray Turner (Bianchi). Ten minutes into the race, the group was well clear and working well to extend their lead.
At he thirty minute mark, the leaders were the best part of a minute clear, and Jon Clarke (SBR) led a chase group in pursuit. German champion Christian Lademann (ZVVZ - Ed System) was showing signs of restlessness, and when the chase stalled thirty seconds down, rode clear of the bunch, and in his typically impressive style, powered across to the lead group alone within a lap! Andy Naylor came closest to staying with Lademann, but fell short and returned to the bunch.
The lead group stayed intact to the finish, and was led out of the hairpin corner onto the finishing straight by De Luca. His jump was good enough to open a two length lead, which he held to the line, giving him enough time for a well justified two arm salute. Lademann crossed second, holding off a late effort from Bradford, with Kiraly, Young and Turner filling the minor places.
Karl Wood (Pro-Motion Bicycles) and Danny Kah jumped away midway through the B Grade race, but weren't given much rope by the big bunch. Team Alex Series Leader Simon Lancaster (BikeNOW) was prominent at the front of the bunch in his first B Grade race, with Grant Matthews also doing some hard turns.
Wood kept up the pressure, and continued alone past the forty minute mark, when he was joined by David Taylor (SBR). Taylor returned to the bunch, while Wood kept up his effort until the call of three to go. Taylor made another attempt two laps out with Geoff Whiter, before the bunch reformed on the final lap.
Speed skater Russell Collins (Mascot Cycles) took out the bunch sprint, leading from the final corner and winning comfortably. Veteran Glen Hutchinson (Salter Cycles) took second, from Jarrod Moroni and Sunday's winner Mario Giramondo. Narelle Peterson (Giramondo Sportswear) took out the Women's section, ahead of State Development Officer Kerrie Baumgartner.
C Grade also finished with a bunch sprint, with Grant Hellings proving strongest on the day after a number of attempts to split the field earlier in proceedings. Daniel Braunsteins took second in a close sprint, from Simon Prentice and Kim Marshall.
Nicky Matthews took out the Women's division, with Cheryl Walker (Victorian State Home Loans) just holding off Briana James (SBR) for second.
Shane Fernando jumped away from D Grade in the closing stages of the D Grade race, but couldn't hold off the determined bunch, with Trent Brown sprinting home to take the win, from Brian Stewart and Barry McShane. Lisa Friend (Bianchi) took maximum points amongst the Women, and only narrowly missed an overall placing, with Series Leader Ferne Walklate and Birthe Hansen completing the Women's podium.
The $7000 Team Alex Series Leader after the thirteenth round remains young Simon Lancaster on 84 points. Over 500 riders have participated in the series to date. Paul Kelly (59) holds second from Matt Jensen (57) and Warren Knevitt (55). Ferne Walklate leads the Women with 42 points ahead of Cheryl Walker on 40 and Lisa Friend (33).
Carnegie Caulfield Criteriums continue every Sunday at Glenvale Crescent (Melways map 80B2). Twilight races are held on Tuesday evenings at Sandown racecourse, on the car racing circuit, with all grades starting at 6.30pm. Entry is via Sandown Rd, from 5.30pm. All holders of 2003 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. 2004 licenses are also now available. For first time competitors and the younger juniors, Tokyo Olympian Mick Hollingsworth conducts racing clinics in E Grade. For further details, including information and standings for the Team Alex series, check out www.carnegiecycling.com.au.
Photography
Images by Mal Sawford
- The A Grade break early on. De Luca in third wheel looks confident!
- Rob Young leads out of the hairpin bend onto the main straight
- Grant Matthews checks his lead in B Grade
- Gary Livingstone leads the C Grade bunch
- D Grade race down the main straight
Results
A Grade, 1 hour + 3 laps, 40 starters 1 Leigh De Luca (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Christian Lademann (Germany) 3 Christian Bradford (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Nick Kiraly (Carnegie Caulfield) 5 Rob Young (NSW) 6 Ray Turner (Footscray) B Grade, 1 hour + 3 laps, 51 starters 1 Russell Collins (Hawthorn) 2 Glen Hutchinson (Footscray) 3 Jarrod Moroni (Bendigo) 4 Mario Giramondo (Carnegie Caulfield) 5 James Shepherdson (Carnegie Caulfield) Women 1 Narelle Peterson (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Kerrie Baumgartner (St Kilda) C Grade, 50 minutes + 3 laps, 37 starters 1 Grant Hellings (Chelsea & Peninsula) 2 Daniel Braunsteins (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Simon Prentice (Blackburn) 4 Kim Marshall (Carnegie Caulfield) Women 1 Nicky Matthews (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Cheryl Walker (Carnegie Caulfield) D Grade, 45 minutes + 3 laps, 32 starters 1 Trent Brown (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Brian Stewart (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Barry McShane (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Ray Smith (Chelsea & Peninsula) Women 1 Lisa Friend (Blackburn) 2 Ferne Walklate (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Birthe Hansen (Blackburn)
