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Graham Woodrup Memorial Race
May 16, 2004
Riley takes Woodrup Classic
By David Tozer
As has been the case in past years, a large, talented field took the starting line for the 13th Edition of the Port Fairy Cycling Club's Graham Woodrup Memorial Race. 49 Senior and Seven Junior competitors celebrated the contributions that "Woody" made to the community in his many cycling and fundraising events.
Since its inception, the memorial race trophy has been a sort after prize. The fact that four former winners had returned to this year's edition indicated the high regard the race is held in.
With a strong Northwesterly wind and rain expected, it was obvious that strength would be found in large groups. This favoured the middle bunches. Not only did they have large numbers within the groups but the time gaps between each group was smaller than the bunches on both ends of the field.
Cyclists such as Darryl Rae, Rod Tredinnick, Vicki Wilson and Dean McLaren would have found the going very tough riding off the limit marks. Heading out into the breeze would have been difficult in such a small group.
Further back in the field four groups containing over half of the field were separated by only eight minutes, some tactical decisions from the group containing Chris Carr and Garry Coombes ensured that these four groups would soon become one.
Mark Winnen and Heath Riley were the prime movers in second scratch. They were ably assisted in their efforts to catch the leaders by Grant Oates and Robert Mann. After only 15 kilometres, the second and third bunches had amalgamated. This early coming together put an end to any hopes the scratch bunch had of riding through the field. In fact the strength of the large bunch meant that the five scratch riders would have to battle even to secure the fastest time prize.
As the weather deteriorated the group containing Riley, Winnen and Co. grew stronger, like some sort of Godzilla creature, feasting on defenceless limit markers and in most cases spitting out those that could not maintain the breakneck speed.
Coming into the final stages of the race, it was plain to see that a sprinter would take the day. The tail wind finish would not allow a solo attack to succeed. The large group had engulfed all of the limit riders and positioning was now the priority. The back-markers had long been forgotten as a risk, the time check when the scratch group had 20 kilometres to go was three minutes and 54 seconds.
Coming into the final 500 metres, the two favourites; Mark Winnen and Heath Riley, had found ideal positions in the bunch. Winnen was third from the front and Riley was hot on his tail. A desperate early attack from one of the other riders caused Winnen to react, ideally he would have waited another 150 metres before exploding from the pack. The early jump for the line played perfectly into the hands of Riley. Mark Winnen was unable to maintain his speed all the way to the line, allowing Riley to jump from his slipstream and record a patient and well deserved victory.
In the chaos behind him, Darren Harris was able to collect second place and Chris Carr was able to sprint to third. For Harris, a second was enough to catapult him to second in the South West Series standings behind Jason Kennett who also collected series points by recording a top ten finish.
The scratch riders eventually crossed the line, Andy Graham collected his second fastest time award in this race's history to go along with his previous overall victory.
Adam Coombes picked up the win in the junior competition and Peta Maher scored the first female award.
A normal Port Fairy Showgrounds race is scheduled for Saturday, 22nd May, the race is being followed by a casserole tea and presentation night.
A special commendation needs to be given to race officials from Saturday's event. Port Fairy Cycling Club may have in the past been accused of being slightly more relaxed when it came to regulation of races. However, Saturday's event was extremely well run, with corner marshals, lead and tail vehicles and two commissaries keeping a close eye on proceedings. The organising committee is to be commended on the running of this year's Woodrup Memorial Race.
