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Southern Veterans Cycling Club
Milang Open Classic - Milang, South Australia, November 14, 2004
Russell Closes the Gap
James Russell led home the expected trio in a hard fought battle in A grade during this weekends Alexandrina Council sponsored Milang Open Classic. The conditions were windy and cool for this time of the year making the course demanding. The top grades raced two laps of the testing 40-kilometre circuit. John Watters and John Giles took the major places in a sprint not for the faint hearted. Russell did not make up any ground on Australian Champion Giles in the club standings but his victory has made him the most successful rider this season with seven victories. His record stands at ten major results with Giles ahead on fifteen and going for Russell's club record of 22 in a season, set in 2003. Watters made a rare appearance in a club event but still moved his personal tally to six major results this year, three of which are victories.
B Grade was a well-earned first win of the year to one of the clubs most consistent performers, Bob Seymour. His efforts this year have seen a number of second places and he would be well pleased with today's breakthrough. He has had a very good season with eight major results, but has also featured many times in the top ten finishers of races with little recognition or reward. He led another performer Neville Elliot to the line. Elliot is having his best season with the club and has collected his fair share of prize money in events this year. In only his second year with the club, he has amassed an impressive twelve major results. Third place went to a hard working Martin Refermat for his first result since April and third with the club this year. In C Grade VLCC Outer Harbour riders dominated, taking all the major places. Steve Bradley followed up his second place in the TASC Strathalbyn Two Stage Open with his first win in a Southern Vets sponsored open event. He led home two other Outer Harbour team mates Brian Bate and Peter Lewney.
D grade was another first victory for the year to club favourite Paul Weatherall. This win was his second with the club since 2000 and marks a very good year, with six major results to date. His best season was in 2002 when he claimed seven, however, none of these were victories. He looks set to better the tally this year. He Held out two Outer Harbour riders Robert De Ross and Trevor Cheyne on the line. In E grade VLCC Graham Banks took his first result of the year and second victory with the Southern Vets after sprinting out of the pack within sight of the line. Jim McCluskey, riding with broken ribs, put in an admirable and courageous effort to claim second and take his fourth major result in his comeback season. He held out another fast finishing but injury plagued Geoff Hillman for a deserved third.
In F Grade Brian Doecke claimed the honours for the VLCC to take his first victory and only second result with the Southern Vets. Doecke was successful back in 2001 with a fourth placing. Following him to the line was Bob Dowell who took his fourth result for the season, making this his most successful with the Vets. He just squeezed out fellow club stalwart Tom Trowbridge who claimed third. Trowbridge is having a quality season with five major results and is the State and Club Time trial champion in age category eight.
Results
A Grade 80 km 1 James Russell 2 John Watters 3 John Giles B Grade 80 km 1 Bob Seymour 2 Neville Elliott 3 Martin Refermat C Grade 80 km 1 Steve Bradley 2 Brian Bate 3 Peter Lewney D Grade 40 km 1 Paul Weatherall 2 Ray Deross 3 Trevor Cheyne E Grade 40 km 1 Graham Banks 2 Jim McCluskey 3 Geoff Hillman F Grade 40 km 1 Brian Doecke 2 Bob Dowell 3 Tom Trowbridge
