UCI codes explained

Results and Reports from Australia

Promoters wishing to submit results should send them to Cyclingnews

Mildura-Coomealla CC

Sunday, November 23, 2003

By Peter Winton

This weekend's winners of the Mildura-Coomealla Cycling Club's 40 minute criterium at the Dolfen Drive circuit were: Mark Busch (A grade), Scott Giles (B grade) and Dave Priest (C grade).

A sturdy group of 15 riders braved the cool conditions on offer on Sunday morning to tackle the longer version of the Club's Dolfen Drive circuit. With notable absentees in Kevin Tankard, Peter Mulhearn, Ian Brade, Barry Pollock, Arthur Anderson, Jack Lokan and Peter Winton all off the bike for a range of reasons the opportunity was ripe for others to grasp some early summer season points.

The A grade formation of Mark Busch, Rob McNally, Geoff Marshall and Nathan Summerhayes led the way and were clocking approximately 1 minute 40 seconds per 1 kilometre lap. The B grade group of Ian Beruldsen, Brendan Liddle, Harry Robbins, Richard Hale, Dion Basse-Anstee and Scott Giles were right on the tail of their stronger colleagues for the first 15 minutes, largely due to the leg power of Scott Giles. The triathlete-cum-road cyclist is coming under notice lately and the inside word is he is targeting a place in the "mark of honour".

Robbins' "purple patch" form of recent weeks deserted him on this new circuit and he succumbed to the struggle, retiring to the sidelines with an upset stomach. Meanwhile, Dave Priest was relishing the conditions and the longer track displaying some attacking riding. Laying down the gauntlet to the C grade gruppetto of Adrian Lloyd, Peter Doody and Rob Akkermans. Young Samuel Priest was in the mix for a good while until his condition gave out.

An attack from Rob McNally sparked a bit of interest and had Mark Busch hurrying to bridge the gap, which he did. Soon followed Geoff Marshall with a tail-wind surge, raising the eyes of the sidelined supporters. Would his recent medal winning form in Canberra prove too good for the locals?

As the final minutes ticked by each bunch held together. Every break-away attempt had been snuffed out with not enough riders in each bunch to provide fresh legs for counter-attacks it was always going to be a difficult task to stay away from the chasing group. Mark Busch took out A grade with a sprint finish by 2 lengths from Nathan Summerhayes. Geoff Marshall a few yards back in third position.

In B grade, it was Scott Giles scoring a gritty win by less than half a wheel over a determined Ian Beruldsen and Brendan Liddle close up in third place.

Dave Priest dug deep in the closing 100 metres of the C grade race to out-ride Adrian Lloyd with Peter Doody in third.

The club's next event is a 24 kilometre time trial at the "Riverside" circuit this Tuesday evening. Participants are required to be on-site by 6pm for registration with the event to start at 6:30pm sharp. Mildura-Coomealla CC enquiries can be made thru www.pwinton@dlwc.nsw.gov.au or Tel:0350-219416.

Results, Criterium - 45 minutes

A Grade
 
1 Mark Busch
2 Nathan Summerhayes
3 Geoff Marshall
4 Rob McNally
 
B Grade
 
1 Scott Giles
2 Ian Beruldsen
3 Brendan Liddle
4 Richard Hale
5 Dion Basse-Anstee
DNF Harry Robbins
 
C Grade
 
1 Dave Priest
2 Adrian Lloyd
3 Peter Doody
4 Rob Akkermans
DNF Sam Priest