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Eastern Suburbs Cycling Club

Heffron Park, November 18, 2003

A Grade stamps its authority on handicap classic

By John Sunde

After 3 weeks of battling blustery winds, fragmented bunch finishes, not to mention last week's part handicap/part scratch race format, everything about Tuesday night racing at Heffron Park in the summer returned to normal:

The racing was a high standard.
The wind was still there of course, another headwind sprint.
The handicap was perfectly timed.
C grade rode to their normal pattern of letting only a few stronger riders do all the work.
B grade rode to their abnormal pattern of actually working together.
A grade rode like a 17 rider pursuit team, swapping off turns effortlessly.
A grade 'got up' to claim the top places.
Dr Bob didn't quite make the start.
Frank was in his usual directeur sportif mood and most important of all, everyone had a great night.

With the biggest field of 36 riders, C grade looked to be another chance for the overall win, but B grade's cohesive start over the first 5 laps started to make inroads into the almost 1 lap advantage before the halfway point. Making even bigger inroads was the A grade bunch which boasted Rod McGee backing up for his 2nd week of Heffron racing, Canadian visitor Chris Gruber, Randwick Botany Centenary Race winner Chris Sutton and all the usual A grade big hitters like in-form Jose Rodriguez, Steve Fiitzpatrick and of course the King, Anthony Spurgeon. Somehow all 3 grades managed to merge together as the race crossed for 3 laps to go. The usual jostling for a reliable wheel then started as A grade took control of the race, but despite an increase in speed and tempo most of the field surprisingly stayed together.

Fresh from his win in the Randwick Botany Centenary Handicap event, John Kenny showed his plucky Irish character by trying steal the race with 1 to go, however A grade where determined to get their 1st handicap win of the season and coming into the final turns it was one long A grade train.

Into the finishing straight and the headwind it was Steve Fitzpatrick who jumped first and there was nothing Jose Rodriguez could do but follow him all the way to the line. St George/FRF Couriers rider Warren Scott squeezed 3rd ahead of his big Year 12 formal night out on Wednesday and no strangers to Tuesday night's podium, Liam Kelly and King Spurge filled the last 2 spots.

Another St George rider, up and coming Andrew Kilday saved his best form for the finish to win the B grade prize and Sydney rider Steve Orfanos continued his recent strong results by winning C grade.

Results

Overall - 30.3 km

1 Steve Fitzpatrick (St George)        41.10
2 Jose Rodrigeuz (Easts)
3 Warren Scott (St George/FRF Couriers)
4 Liam Kelly (Randwick Botany)
5 Anthony Spurgeon (Caravello)
 
B Grade 

1 Andrew Kilday (St George)
 
C Grade

1 Steve Orfanos (Sydney)