UCI codes explained

Results and Reports from Australia

Promoters wishing to submit results should send them to Cyclingnews

Eastern Suburbs Cycling Club

Heffron Park, November 25, 2003

Windy but dry at Heffron

With Sydney's weather being dominated by frequent rain showers for the last five days, it was no surprise that a somewhat diminished field rolled up to Heffron Park on Tuesday at 6pm to contest the weekly 15 lap handicap. What was a surprise was that the track was almost bone dry, with the only significant weather factor being the strong southwesterly wind.

Due to the relatively small sized A and B grade fields (7 and 8 starters respectively), C grade (9 starters) was given less of a head start this week than normal. That certainly didn't help their chances as they were quickly swallowed up by the B graders within five laps. Then the recently promoted to B grade Peter McDonald (Randwick Botany) decided that they weren't going quick enough, and took off solo in an attempt to win the race on his own. If he continues like this, he could well find himself in A grade in a few weeks.

But the A graders had other ideas, as usual. Starting with seven riders, A grade was reduced to just four after three laps, with big Stewart "Computer" Campbell (Easts) driving the train together with teammate Dave Stewart, Canadian Chris Gruber, and Cyclingnews editor Jeff Jones (Randwick Botany CC). The quartet maintained a consistent pace, picking up most of the lost C graders and having B grade in its sights with 7 laps to go. Jeff Jones continued his excellent record of puncturing at the halfway mark, but was able to get a wheel and rejoin the race after a lap out.

A grade picked up the pace in the final five laps, catching everyone except for the stubborn Peter McDonald, who was doing it tough out in the wind. But with one lap to go, McDonald only had 15 seconds on the bunch, and that was the signal for Stewart Campbell to make one of his trademark last lap attacks. No-one could respond, and Campbell picked up McDonald inside the last kilometre and went on to take a comfortable win. McDonald hung on for second place, while Jeff Jones won a well judged bunch sprint to take third.

Results

Overall

1 Stewart Campbell (Easts CC)
2 Peter McDonald (Randwick Botany CC)
3 Jeff Jones (Randwick Botany CC)
4 Chris Gruber (Canada)
5 Alan Bozunovic (Easts CC)
 
1st Unplaced B Grade

1 Scott Calum (Easts CC)

1st Unplaced C Grade

1 James Dalton (Randwick Botany CC)