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Carnegie Caulfield CC
October 3, 2004
Glenvale Crescent Criterium gets a dose of sunshine
By Mal Sawford
'Summer' racing returned to Glenvale Crescent with a bang, as a near record field of 194 appeared from nowhere for the season opener. After a local winter road season with fields as low as 14 take to the start in regional combines only weeks ago, the bumper turn out seems to suggest that Melbourne's riders are becoming dedicated criterium specialists!
The premier A Grade field included a number of big hitters: Robert Crowe (HLP/RideWISER) returned from his Gold Medal performance with Kieran Modra in Athens to burn off the effects of jet lag as Trent Lowe (Yeti) was back on skinny tyres after a number of podium finishes in the NORBA series. Junior World Pursuit Champion Michael Ford also returned after a well deserved lay off.
Crowe and Lowe joined the winning move, along with Domenic Gatto, Nick Kiraly (both Victorian State Home Loans), Matt Goold (Team MG-ZT), Warren Knevitt (O'Mara Cycles), Richard England (Le Tour Cycles), Brad Norton (Drapac/Porsche), Josh Vanderveen (Sani Dump), Aaron Salisbury (BikeNOW) and Geordan Murray (Lloyd Morgan -Bike Pro).
With virtually all the strongest riders onboard, the break was in little danger of being caught as the main field rode well to avoid being lapped. A move at the bell from Crowe, Gatto and Goold looked good, but rounding the final corner the break had regrouped, allowing Norton to sprint to victory, ahead of England and Knevitt.
The monster B Grade field not surprisingly pounced quickly on any attempts to break away, but didn't stop Geoff Whiter and Paul Kelly (SBR) from trying repeatedly. Track sprinter Jeremy McLay (Kennedy Cycle Fit) threw the Sprinter's Union Rulebook out the window and not only spent the entire race at the front of the field, but also produced some big turns to keep it together.
At the finish, McLay was still too good, taking the win from Adrian Hansen and Jason Theobald (O'Mara Cycles), and looks destined for A Grade in the very near future. Cheryl Walker (Victorian State Home Loans) was the quickest of the women, outsprinting Gemma Goyne (BikeNOW).
Luke Pledgar (O'Mara Cycles) made his first race a memorable one, winning the bunch sprint to claim the C Grade win ahead of son and father combination Richard and Doug Reynolds. All three riders will make the jump to B Grade next week. Gordon Minty claimed the final placing with Ferne Walklate claiming the Women's prize ahead of Louisa Judd.
Tom Walker was a clear sprint winner in D Grade, far too strong for Tim Murphy and Dan West, and also earned an immediate promotion, while Louise Bourke rode well and took out the Women's division, finishing fifth overall and the only woman to stay with the lead group.
Carnegie Caulfield Criteriums continue every Sunday at Glenvale Crescent (Melways map 80B2). C, D and E Grades start at 9am, while A and B Grade ride at 10am. All holders of 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. 2005 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, go to www.carnegiecycling.com.au.
Results
A Grade, 1 hour + 3 laps, 44 Starters 1 Brad Norton (Shepparton) 2 Richard England (Blackburn) 3 Warren Knevitt (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Aaron Salisbury (Carnegie Caulfield) 5 Josh Vanderveen (Carnegie Caulfield) 6 Matt Goold (Carnegie Caulfield) B Grade, 1 hour + 3 laps, 66 starters 1 Jeremy McLay (Chelsea & Peninsula) 2 Adrian Hansen (Coburg) 3 Jason Theobald (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Wayne Flint (Carnegie Caulfield) 5 Danny Wetherley (Carnegie Caulfield) Women 1 Cheryl Walker (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Gemma Goyne (Carnegie Caulfield) C Grade, 50 minutes + 3 laps, 55 starters 1 Kule Pletchar (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Rick Reynolds (Blackburn) 3 Doug Reynolds (Blackburn) 4 Gordon Minty (Mornington) Women 1 Ferne Walklate (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Louisa Judd (Carnegie Caulfield) D Grade, 50 minutes + 3 laps, 23 starters 1 Tom Walker (St Kilda) 2 Tim Murphy (Leongatha) 3 Dan West (Blackburn) 4 Ian Parr (Carnegie Caulfield) Women 1 Louise Bourke (Blackburn) E Grade, 45 minutes + 3 laps, 6 starters 1 Aaron Eynaud (Blackburn) 2 Dale Reith (Blackburn) 3 Sally Beveridge (Carnegie Caulfield)
