UCI codes explained

Results and Reports from Australia

Promoters wishing to submit results should send them to Cyclingnews

Mildura-Coomealla Cycling Club

"Old Abattoir" circuit, November 16, 2003

Busch takes advantage of a Tankard-free day

By Peter Winton

With a depleted field all round due to some clubbies getting a triathlon fix and others either away or suffering from VB-it is, the M-CCC riders plodded out into a raging southerly. Quite a change after the Saturday 40 degree heatwave!

Ten riders only started together with 3 in the A grade including Ian Brade, Mark Busch and that "travelling wilbury" Geoff Marshall, fresh from a Canberra clean up of 6 medals!

The "B" division held Pollock, Robbins, Hale, Summerhayes and Winton. Although Summerhayes won't be in our protected little group for long.

Vitamin "C" was very short with Rob Akkermans (new) and our newest member Peter Doody.

Snap, bang and away they go. Richard Hale, you killer you, out he went like a shot from a gun. Hey, pay back awaits you fella.

It wasn't long before the tempo started to wind back a rider or two, especially after a Summerhayes burst on the second lap up the 19th street rises. A few of us were struggling for breath and queuing up for a heart transplant.

A lap later and the A grade group splintered the pack and left the killer "bees" on their own, although Summerhayes was away with the stronger riders. Not for long though, as we all rounded a few corners there he was, on his own. Buschy, are you to blame ?

Anyway, the 3 A graders went along in their own little world, no doubt relishing the "Tankard-free day". C grade was like a broken egg, in two bits and leaking. And the killer bees were just chortling at Summerhayes, out there on his own, soaking up that southerly, leave him out there for a few more laps.

Buschy proved too good in the sprint for Ian Brade and Geoff Marshall, taking the A grade points in a time of 1:09:02. Harry and Nathan Summerhayes had a little two man race over the closing 6kms, avidly watched by Barry Pollock, Richard Hale and Peter Winton all towing Rob Akkermans in like a caravan with a blow-out (sorry Rob).

Summerhayes proved too quick for Beringer Blass's finest rider with a time of 1:14:02 followed by Barry Pollock, 1:14:50, showing his trademark grit to take third in a three rider challenge. Winton coming over the top of lead out man Richard Hale for 4th and 5th respectively. Peter Doody, 1:16:26, found his way to the line a lap ahead of Rob Akkermans to grab the vitamin C points today.

I'll have to think of a "toy" word for the A grade to balance out the stories in the coming weeks. Next event is a joyous time trial on Tuesday at Riverside and no doubt that pesky southwesterly wind will bob up at about 6pm just when we are all heading out. Where's the good ol' doctor when you need him?

PS: Hurry up and get mended Arthur, we miss you!

Results, 43km graded scratch race (all-up start)

A grade
 
1 Mark Busch
2 Ian Brade
3 Geoff Marshall
 
B grade
 
1 Nathan Summerhayes
2 Harry Robbins
3 Barry Pollock
4 Peter Winton
5 Richard Hale
 
C Grade
 
1 Peter Doody
2 Rob Akkermans