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Carnegie Caulfield CC
Glenvale Crescent, Mulgrave, April 18, 2004
It's the Clarke & Walker show, again
By Mal Sawford
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The second last 'Summer' Criterium for the season was run in conditions more typical of the winter road season - grey skies, cool winds and the threat of rain. Still, over 120 riders braved the elements, many of whom had done battle on the brutally hilly Lang Lang circuit the day before. Dominating the finishing straight was the inflatable finish line banner promoting the Shared Respect Initiative, a coalition of the Transport Accident Commission, Victoria Police, VicRoads and cyclists to improve road safety for cyclists.
Junior Worlds team mates William Walker (CBD Cycles) and Jonny Clarke (SBR) repeated their efforts of the previous week, once again lapping a strong A Grade field. This time, however, the bunch was able to contain the threatening pair for thirty minutes, before Clarke attacked alone to establish a ten second advantage.
A number of riders tried to bridge without success, before Walker set sail and chased across with twenty five minutes to race. Once Walker was clear, tactical riding from CBD Cycles team mates Chris Bradford and younger brother John saw the pair pull away, with the margin quickly out to forty seconds.
The leaders gained their lap five minutes from time, and attempted to go round again, but were chased down by a more attentive bunch. Clarke kept attacking, however, and succeeded in going clear with local favorite Warren Knevitt (O'Mara Cycles). Walker made a number of efforts to bridge, but in the end had to settle for second as he finished with the bunch.
Clarke took his second impressive win on the trot, with Knevitt scoring an armchair ride away from the bunch to finish third. Track star Tommy Nankervis (Fitzroy Cycles) led the bunch in for fourth, ahead of Matt Shea and Victorian Crit Champion Simon Walker (Victorian State Home Loans).
After allowing a solo break to succeed the week before, the B Grade bunch were much more attentive this week, and were quick to close down any moves. Peter McWeeney and Ken Ford (Gran Prix Bicycles) opened the biggest gap, and last weeks winner Reece Van Beek spent most of the hour forcing the pace, but in the end the bunch swarmed to the line for a bunch sprint.
Michael Sneyd proved quickest on the day, out-kicking super sprinter Darren Cathie, Dale Woonton and David Buntin (Team Alex). The Women's division saw Victorian Champion Cheryl Walker (Victorian State Home Loans) too good for Briana James (BikeNOW).
Kym Marshall took the C Grade win, launching his sprint into the final corner and hanging on by the narrowest of margins form Under 15 speedster Peter Johnstone (O'Mara Cycles), Richard Reynolds and Nigel Barton-White. Gemma Goyne (BikeNOW) took the Women's win, ahead of Louisa Judd and Melissa Kah.
Two experienced Footscray riders proved too strong in the closing stages of the D Grade race, with Mark Steidl relegating last week's winner Malcolm Wyatt to second ahead of Glenn Drosten. Louise Bourke (Fortress) sprinted into outright fourth, and took out the Women's section ahead of a hard working Janelle Evans who crossed the line in fifth position.
One round from the conclusion of the $7000 Team Alex Series, Simon Lancaster will be taking delivery of a Nexus X-3 frameset - and sits on 178 points. The battle for second place could still go either way with Cheryl Walker (155) just clear of Warren Knevitt (150), while Simon Walker (141) has all but wrapped up fourth ahead of Matt Jensen (133).
The final summer season Criterium will be held at Glenvale Crescent (Melways map 80B2) on April 25. All holders of 2004 Cycling Australia licenses are welcome (don't forget to bring your license or receipt!) and non-members can have a go by taking out a day license for $20. For first time competitors and the younger juniors, Tokyo Olympian Mick Hollingsworth conducts racing clinics in E Grade. For further details, including information and standings for the Team Alex series, check out www.carnegiecycling.com.au.
Results
A Grade, 1 hour + 3 laps, 34 starters 1 Jonathan Clarke (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 William Walker (Brunswick) 3 Warrem Knevitt (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Tommy Nankervis (South Australia) 5 Matt Shea (Footscray) 6 Simon Walker (Carnegie Caulfield) B Grade, 55 minutes + 3 laps, 37 starters 1 Michael Sneyd (St Kilda) 2 Darren Cathie (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Dale Woonton (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 David Buntin (Carnegie Caulfield) 5 Sean Bourke (Blackburn) Women 1 Cheryl Walker (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Briana James (St Kilda) C Grade, 50 minutes + 3 laps, 40 starters 1 Kym Marshall (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Peter Johnstone (Chelsea & Peninsula) 3 Richard Reynolds (Blackburn) 4 Nigel Barton-White (Carnegie Caulfield) Women 1 Gemma Goyne (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Louisa Judd (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Melissa Kah (Carnegie Caulfield) D Grade, 45 minutes + 3 laps, 14 starters 1 Mark Steidl (Footscray) 2 Malcolm Wyatt (Footscray) 3 Glenn Drosten (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Louise Bourke (Blackburn) Women 1 Louise Bourke (Blackburn) 2 Janelle Evans (Brunswick) E Grade, 45 minutes + 3 laps 1 Dean Berry (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Penelope Frost (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Mitchell Gregory (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Dale Reith (Blackburn)
