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Carnegie Caulfield CC
Glenvale Crescent, Mulgrave, March 21, 2004
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Unshakable Walker takes A Grade
By Mal Sawford
Simon Walker (Victorian State Home Loans) took out the A Grade race at Glenvale Crescent, after joining the major move of the day and surviving all attempts from his breakaway companions to unload the noted sprinter.
The early break featured David Sturt (Colnago), Nathan Wise (Gibson Constructions), Martin Bole and Team MG-ZT’s Paul Richards. Despite subtle blocking from MG’s team manager, Rob Young, the quartet was reeled in, before a flurry of attacks culminated in Bole and Richards going clear again, with Walker and Leigh De Luca (Specialized).
Rob Crowe (BikeNOW), former World Junior MTB Champion Trent Lowe (Yeti), Warren Knevitt (O’Mara Cycles) and Dylan Boone (Team MG-ZT) bridged to the leaders, but the pace set by Richards and Bole saw only Lowe and Walker survive to the finish, with Walker taking the sprint ahead of Richards and Lowe.
A late move from Sturt, Wise and Paul Kelly looked set to gobble up the minor places, but the bunch lifted the pace over the last few laps, with Katie Mactier (Fitzroy Cycles) again doing far more than her share of pace making, and Dylan Boone took advantage, sprinting past the second group in the final meters to claim fifth, just ahead of Nathan Wise.
Peter McWeeney produced a fine solo ride in an attempt to spoil the regular B Grade sprint fest, spending the best part of thirty minutes off the front of the bunch. As the finish approached, and the sprinters massed, James Shepherdson powered away down the back straight on the final lap and hung on to take the win by three lengths over Cam Rotter, David Buntin (Team Alex) and Jan Wilhoeft. Cheryl Walker (Victorian State Home Loans) took out the Women’s division, in the process narrowing the gap to leader Simon Lancaster who was unplaced today.
Kim Scrutton was once again on the attack in C Grade, joined by recent winner Jason Theobald (O’Mara). The pair stayed clear of the chase for the first half of the race before succumbing, but Scrutton had another dig in the closing stages of the race before being swamped. The sprint win went to Scott Brown by a tire width from Paul Mason, with the pair finishing well clear of third place finisher Wayne Flint.
The smallish D Grade bunch produced an impressive number of attacks, with Melissa Kah and Louisa Judd often the instigators. Bunch mentor John Groves even found time to ride off the front, but in the end, the full field re-assembled in time for a bunch sprint. Will Livesay took the win, and will now see out the season in C Grade, with Mick Cummings next best ahead of young Tom Gallagher (Team Alex), Kah and Judd.
Despite being unplaced today, Simon Lancaster retains his lead in the $7000 Team Alex Series, and sits on 155 points. With only six rounds remaining, Cheryl Walker (136) faces an uphill battle to close the gap, with A grade riders Warren Knevitt (132), Matt Jensen (127) and Simon Walker (123) still mathematically in with a chance.
Carnegie Caulfield Criteriums continue every Sunday morning at Glenvale Crescent (Melways map 80B2). The end of Daylight Savings next weekend means the final Twilight race this season is this week on Tuesday evening 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 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, 45 starters 1 Simon Walker (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Paul Richards (Coburg) 3 Trent Lowe (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Martin Bole (Carnegie Caulfield) 5 Dylan Boone (Carnegie Caulfield) 6 Nathan Wise (Carnegie Caulfield) B Grade, 55 minutes + 3 laps, 35 starters 1 James Shepherdson (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Cameron Rotter (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 David Buntin (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Jan Wolhoeft (Carnegie Caulfield) 5 Cameron Rotter (Carnegie Caulfield) Women 1 Cheryl Walker (Carnegie Caulfield) C Grade, 50 minutes + 3 laps, 44 starters 1 Scott Brown (St Kilda) 2 Paul Mason (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Wayne Flint (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Doug Reynolds (Blackburn) D Grade, 45 minutes + 3 laps, 12 starters 1 Will Livesay (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Mick Cummings (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Tom Gallagher (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Melissa Kah (Carnegie Caulfield) Women 1 Melissa Kah (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Louisa Judd (Carnegie Caulfield) E Grade, 45 minutes + 3 laps, 8 starters 1 Justin Hamilton (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Nick Chilton (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Nan Jermstrom (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Alice Martin (Carnegie Caulfield)
