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Carnegie Caulfield CC
Glenvale Crescent, Mulgrave, February 29, 2004
Nankervis sprints clear in windy conditions
By Mal Sawford
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Overnight rain, and intermittent showers in the morning had most expecting racing would have to be abandoned. As the 9am start time drew near, however, most of the clouds blew over and the circuit began to dry, and the optimists pinned their shiny new numbers (courtesy of BikeNOW) onto their damp jerseys.
A cool southerly wind blew, making conditions tough for the riders. The A Grade field eased their way into the opening laps before a strong attack by Martin Bole saw him pull away from the bunch. Bole stayed clear until the midway point, when a puncture saw him into the pits for a wheel change, and he was forced to rejoin the race back in the bunch.
As the finish approached, Michael Tolhurst made a number of efforts to escape the field, along with Ray Turner (Bianchi) and Anthony Smith (Gran Prix Bicycles). Bole also found some energy, going clear with Smith at three to go, and establishing a ten second lead. David Buntin (Team Alex) bridged at the bell, but the sprinters were in with a sniff and reeled the trio in before the final corner.
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Tommy Nankervis (Fitzroy Cycles) backed up from his second place finish in the Sid Patterson Champion of Champions Wheelrace from the night before to sprint clear and take the win. Nankervis, a long time Carnegie rider has taken out a South Australian license this year in an effort to gain a ride at the track nationals, as he has been unable to force his way into the strong Victorian squad. Chris Boone hung on to take second, after doing much of the work to pull back the late break, ahead of a fast finishing Warren Knevitt (O’Mara Cycles), Smith and Ballarat visitors Marcus Wettenhall and Damien Turner.
With the weather keeping the B Grade bunch at around half its normal size, many riders saw a chance to pull off an escape. As a result, the opening laps were run at a high pace, averaging 45kmh on the slightly damp circuit. Tyrin Simpson was prominent early, but was unable to hold off the fast paced chase.
A heavy shower midway through the hour saw the pace ease, and a number of early retirements from those who prefer to keep the rubber side down at all times. Fortunately, the shower was a brief one, and twenty riders remained to battle for the win. Nick Gates (BikeNOW) launched a big attack, and looked good as he pulled twenty seconds clear, but misjudged his strength and blew violently just as observers were starting to pencil him in for the win.
Hearing impaired rider Rhys Van Beek led the bunch into the final straight, giving Scott Peoples the perfect sit. Peoples went a little early, allowing Ryan Worn to edge past in the closing meters, but Matt Collins judged the finish best, kicking two lengths clear in the final meters to take the win.
The windy conditions saw the C Grade bunch splinter and reform a number of times, with surges from Frank Reardon, Kym Scrutton and Carl Brewer doing the damage. Midway through the race, Barton Duncan (Croydon Cycleworks) broke away with Scrutton, Paul Mason, Scott Brown and Simon Bristow. A chase from Ricky Peoples and Tim Lee kept the leaders in sight, before Scrutton dropped back. Peoples found the tempo too hard, but Lee soldiered on and was rewarded when the leaders slowed slightly.
The leaders went on to lap the majority of the field, before sprinting for the win. Duncan was too strong, and took the win and promotion to B Grade, ahead of Mason, Brown and Bristow, with the unlucky fifth place finisher going away empty handed.
Mornington rider Tristan Wright won the D Grade bunch finish, too strong for Bendigo junior Lachie Worn, Stephen Hain and James Bell.
Simon Lancaster retains his lead in the $7000 Team Alex Series, and sits on 140 points. Cheryl Walker now lies second on 123 with Matt Jensen on 121. Warren Knevitt, the leading A Grade rider holds down fourth place with 110 points. There are eleven races remaining in the series, which concludes at the end of April.
Riders are reminded that there is no racing on Tuesday night; leaving three twilight races at Sandownbefore the end of daylight savings: March 9th, 16th and 23rd.
Carnegie Caulfield Criteriums continue every Sunday at Glenvale Crescent (Melways map 80B2). Twilight races are held on Tuesday evenings at Sandown racecourse, on the car racing circuit, with all grades starting at 6.30pm. Entry is via Sandown Rd, from 5.30pm. All holders of 2003 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. 2004 licenses are also now available. 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.
Photography
Images by Mal Sawford
- A bearded Ray Turner leads Michael Tolhurst clear in A Grade
- Swiss visitor Marco Christen powers the chase
- Anthony Smith and Matin Bole hold off the bunch at two to go
- Simon Lancaster strings out the B Grade bunch
- Nick Gates (no not Robbie’s team mate) looked good before detonating
- Tyrin Simpson powers away from B Grade
- Roving Commissaire Mal Sawford checks the form of the C Grade bunch
- The girls set the pace in D Grade
Results
A Grade, 1 hour + 3 laps, 31 starters 1 Tommy Nankervis (South Australia) 2 Chris Boone (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Warren Knevitt (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Anthony Smith (Carnegie Caulfield) 5 Marcus Wettenhall (Ballarat) 6 Damien Turner (Ballarat) B Grade, 55 minutes + 3 laps, 33 starters 1 Matt Collins (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Ryan Worn (Bendigo) 3 Scott Peoples (Shepparton) 4 Rhys Van Beek (Geelong West) 5 Mick Hollingworth (Carnegie Caulfield) Women 1 Cheryl Walker (Carnegie Caulfield) C Grade, 50 minutes + 3 laps, 26 starters 1 Barton Duncan (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Paul Mason (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Scott Brown (St Kilda) 4 Simon Bristow (Carnegie Caulfield) Women 1 Gemma Goyne (Carnegie Caulfield) D Grade, 45 minutes + 3 laps, 18 starters 1 Tristan Wright (Mornington) 2 Lachie Worn (Bendigo) 3 Stephen Hain (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 James Bell (Carnegie Caulfield) E Grade, 45 minutes 1 Nan Jerstrom (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Alice Martin (Carnegie Caulfield)
