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Eastern Suburbs CC
Heffron Park, Maroubra, December 16, 2003
Beam me up Scotty!
By John Sunde
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Easts rider Scott Callum outsprinted his breakaway companion Peter McDonald (Randwick Botany) for the overall win in the weekly handicap criterium around a hot and windy Heffron Park last night.
Racing returned to the traditional graded handicap event over 15 laps, however the more fancied the A grade bunch were more or less shut out of the race when the two larger B and C grade bunches came together with seven laps remaining of the 2km circuit. With a strong north easterly wind down the finishing straight, the race was then in the gutter at the first opportunity to try and split the 40 strong lead group.
After the second romp in the gutter a break of four including Peter McDonald, Scott Callum, John Sunde (St George) and Paddy Jones (Randwick Botany) went clear, however with 2 laps to go the latter two riders retreated to the bunch which was now starting to fragment into individual chases.
Still no sign of A grade making contact although they did have the lead bunch in sight in the closing laps. Not one of A grades more concerted efforts, with most riders thinking they were still riding the previous weeks scratch race and trying their hand at individual attacks which only disrupted the overall momentum.
A late move back in the lead group saw B grade sprint king John Kenny (Easts), Polish visitor Jerzy Sona - 'him very big, very strong' and Easts leadout man, Alan Bozunovic sneak away from the main bunch and eventually claim the minor placings.
In the sprint, Peter McDonald who appeared to have done the lions share of the work in the break lead it out, but the more experienced Scott Callum had the gas in the end to get the win much to the delight of his Eastern Suburbs team mates.
Mr FRF Couriers and C grade king, Frank Fortuna (St George) finished strongly in the main bunch to win the C grade prize, while back in the gallop for A grade, CJ Sutton made it a St George double when he comfortably outsprinted Randwick Botany master blaster, Liam Kelly.
Next Tuesday night is the Annual Eastern Surburbs Trophy Race when Heffron Park King (he's the real King), Anthony Spurgeon will be sharpening up to try and make it a record 8 wins in this prestigious Christmas event.
A reminder to all riders that commencing 1 January 2004, no licence or receipt, no start, so get the licence renewals in now.
Results
1 Scott Callum (Easts) 2 Peter McDonald (Randwick Botany) 3 John Kenny (Easts) 4 Jerzy Sona (Poland) 5 Alan Buzonovic (Easts) 1st A Grade: Chris Sutton (St George) 1st C Grade: Frank Fortuna (St George)
Local results 2003
