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Mildura-Coomealla Cycling Club
February 6, 2005
King Richard Kicks for Win
By Peter Winton
On a pleasant Sunday morning in Sunraysia with the cool breeze blowing from out of the south west and not a spec of dust on the horizon (for once!) nor any rain clouds to spoil the blue sky, Sunraysia's cyclists came out to play.
With Ian Brade the only A grade rider to front, he took the opportunity to come down a notch into the "Killer Bees" and work for his race points rather than ride around for an easy 15 summer jersey points. Eight laps of this circuit brings totals about 42kms and so racing got underway with Hale, Brade and Doody taking up the running. Parked in there also was Shipsides and Lokan, hoping to catch the wheels of any early break.
Despite the solid efforts of Peter Doody, Jack Lokan, Richard Hale and Ian Brade, the 14-rider bunch was able to keep in touch. Jeff Mitchell, Bob Pedler, Greg Scott and Adrian Lloyd were never far from the action. Lap two saw Peter Winton surge up the camel humps of 19th Street and put a gap of 100 metres on the group. Far too early in the event for any sole rider to stay way, Winton sat up and waited for his fellow riders to bridge the gap and find his way into a recovery position at the back of the bus.
Jack Lokan launched a couple of strong bursts from mid-bunch as did Arthur Anderson, in usual style, and keeping with the usual outcome Anderson was nabbed on each occasion. B grade stalwarts Michael Shipsides, Rob Akkermans and Dion Basse-Anstee were as prevalent as ever, with cameo appearances at their leisure. Which one of these men would damage the main group was surely to be decided well before the bell lap. As the riders in the back of the bus came to the front to check out the front row views, any potential for an attack was squashed. The Red Cliffs contingent of Mitchell, Scott and Pedler appeared to have saved considerable strength for the rush at the end. It was Richard Hale however, who withstood the Shipsides attack at the 200 metre mark and finished over the top of the leaders. Ian Brade only marginally lowered his colours for second place with Dion Basse-Anstee in third. The time gaps from winner to 14th place was no more than 10 seconds which is an excellent indication of the closeness of the individual fitness levels. Race average speed was above 38.5kms/hr with the time clock registering 1hr 6 mins and 25 secs.
In the C grade race it was David Priest by any distance you like to mention, as he streeted his rivals. Dat Rudd took second place and is enjoying the benefit of regular race riding this season. Third place was Tom Athorn and fourth was Troy Francis (he is sure to gain from the hitout with older riders). Greg Kluske hung on for fifth place with lantern rouge going to Joe Monteleone, which will soon be rectified with a few more hours in the saddle. Josh Francis was first home over Damon Watson in the junior boys. A difficult task to keep focus with only one other competitor and what appears to be endless and mindless laps. Juniors are welcome along with their parents and they won't find themselves on their own should they take interest in racing.
Results
B Grade 1 R Hale 2 I Brade 3 D Basse-Anstee 4 M Shipsides 5 R Akermanns 6 P Doody 7 A Lloyd 8 J Lokan 9 R Pedler 10 P Winton 11 J Mitchell 12 G Scott 13 S Priedt 14 A Anderson C Grade 1 D Priest 2 D Rudd 3 T Athorn 4 T Francis 5 G Kluske 6 J Monteleone Juniors 1 J Francis 2 D Watson
