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Carnegie Caulfield Cycling Club
Sandown Twilight Series, Tuesday December 19, 2006
By Mal Sawford
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CCCC’s final race for 2006 attracted yet another huge field, with just over 200 riders on the start line. There was no appearance from Santa, but a strong contingent of Drapac-Porsche riders in their all red kits and white helmets contributed to the festive atmosphere!
The 72 rider A Grade field were bombarded with attacks in the opening laps by the Drapac boys, with Phil Thaux, Casey Munro, Darren Lapthorne and newly crowned Australian under 23 crit champion Dean Windsor putting the bunch on the defensive repeatedly. Locals Peter Barnett (SHM Cycles), Vaughan Bowman (Le Tour Cycles) and Michael Gallagher (VIS) sensed the likelihood of a split and joined the attack fest, but the chasers were never far behind and could close any gap along the main straight.
Attacks from Michael Ford (South Australia.com) and Ash Hayat in the second half of the race were short-lived, and another move from Windsor at two to go also seemed doomed - particularly when he was almost wiped out by an errant C Grade rider looking for the car park - but a chase group containing Barnett, Andrew Stalder (Promains) and Belgian visitor Pieter Braekeveldt made contact a lap later, with Gallagher and Jamie Goddard (Le Tour) latching on at the end of the straight.
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Despite a fearsome pace up the hill on the final lap, the six leaders had done enough to stay clear, with Paralympic world champion Gallagher powering the group into the final corner. Stalder, who has had a number of years off the bike but has performed impressively in his comeback, kicked strongly at the 200 metre mark and put ten metres into the others, and although chased all the way to the line by Windsor, powered home to a clear win, with Braekeveldt holding off Barnett for third.
In B Grade, Rick Jones did enough to ensure the Datacom-Burnley Finance squad got its weekly mention with a solo effort up the climb at the half way mark, although the team’s numbers were down a little, no doubt frustrated at this reporters continual assumption that they are all named Paul McMullan!
Another late break proved successful, after Stefan Kirsch (Croydon Cycleworks) and Canberra’s Troy Reddick escaped after fifty minutes. At two to go, they were reached by Russell Newnham (Pro-Motion Bicycles), Bruce Will, Ben Williams (Bicycle Superstore) and Bruce Trew and with some strong turns had the bunch out of contention at the bell.
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Trew lost contact on the final lap, while Newnham seemed determined to protect his B Grade status, and after leading the break into the home straight, turned right into the pit lane to avoid crossing the line. Sorry Rusty, but I don't think the handicapper will fall for that one! Reddick led the sprint out, with Will and Williams drawing even in the final metres to create a blanket finish. Youth prevailed, with the win going to Williams ahead of Reddick.
There was one place left courtesy of Newnham’s shenanigans, which went to Stuart Wallace after an attack before the final turn. Nicole Whitburn (Nepean Cycles) led the women home, with Mary Rogers (Kathy Watt Cycling) taking second from Nikki Matthews in a photo finish.
The sprinters reigned in C Grade, with Stuart Payne too strong for Alex Lockie and Mark Kinzett in the dash to the line, and David Tennant rounding out the podium. Former world masters champion Debbie Hobbs had enough left after an unsuccessful mid race attack with James Catchlove to sprint to the ladies win ahead of Radelle Berriman and Shannon McCurley.
Sebastian Guiney made his first outing at Sandown a winning one, taking the D Grade race with a strong attack on the final climb, which will see him start 2007 in C Grade. David Gotts soloed home in second place, while the bunch sprint for third went to Paul Carnibella from Jay Heather.Karen McPherson claimed the women’s division, from Melissa Nicholls and Beata Janetzki.
Carnegie Caulfield Criteriums resumes at Sandown on January 2nd. Twilight racing at Sandown Raceway is held on Tuesday evenings at Sandown
International Raceway. Entry is via the Sandown Road gate from 6pm (Melways map 80 B6), with racing starting at 6.30pm for all grades. Sunday morning races (from January 7th) are at Glenvale Crescent (Melways map 80B2). B, D and E Grades start at 9am, while A and C Grade ride at 10am.
All holders of current 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. 2007 licenses are now available at all CCCC events. Returning riders must resume in the grade in which they last raced, unless prior arrangements are made with the handicapper.
For first time competitors and the younger juniors, Tokyo Olympian Mick Hollingsworth conducts novice racing clinics within the E Grade race at Glenvale Crescent. For further details, go to www.carnegiecycling.com.au.
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by CJ Farquharson/www.velophoto.net
- A grade sets out, with Dean Windsor's Australian chmapion's jersey prminent
- Two grades come together to produce a huge line
- C Grade action
- A Grade winner Andrew Stalder rides in the bunch
- Stuart Payne wins the C Grade sprint
- Russell Newnham leads the winning B Grade break into the headwind
- Ben Williams claimed the B Grade win
- Stalder checks his winning margin over Dean Windsor
Images by Mal Sawford
- Drapac-Porsche have done a good job with Dean Windsor's new kit
Results
A Grade (1 hour, 72 starters) 1 Andrew Stalder (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Dean Windsor (NSW) 3 Pieter Braekeveldt (Belgium) 4 Peter Barnett (Carnegie Caulfield) 5 Jamie Goddard (Blackburn) 6 Michael Gallagher (Carnegie Caulfield) B Grade (55 minutes, 53 starters) 1 Ben Williams (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Troy Reddick (Canberra) 3 Bruce Will (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Stefan Kirsch (Blackburn) 5 Stuart Wallace (Carnegie Caulfield) Women 1 Nicole Whitburn (Warragul) 2 Mary Rogers (Warragul) 3 Nikki Matthews (Carnegie Caulfield) C Grade (50 minutes, 44 starters) 1 Stuart Payne (St Kilda) 2 Alex Lockie (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Mark Kinzett (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 David Tennant (Hawthorn) Women 1 Debbie Hobbs (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Radelle Berriman (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Shannon McCurley (Latrobe City) D Grade (45 minutes, 34 starters) 1 Sebastian Guiney (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 David Gotts (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Paul Carnibella (Carnegie Caulfield) 4 Jay Heather (MTBA) Women 1 Karen McPherson (Carnegie Caulfield) 2 Melissa Nicholls (Carnegie Caulfield) 3 Beata Janetzki (Carnegie Caulfield)
