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West Coast Masters Cycling
Wangara, WA, February 5, 2006
By Mel Davies
Another well attended race run in excellent conditions with temperatures in the high 20's. Again, lots of new faces among the 68 starters that helped breathe life into the bunches. A grade with 18 riders was hotly contested from the word go and as well as some blistering attacks there was a great deal of surging that made the race even more painful for the competitors. In a closely contested sprint Doug Stewart again proved his prowess when beating Wayne Thompson and Dave Townson across the line, with Paul Moke who had done much of the 'driving' during the race finishing in close contention for fourth. So close together were Gary Collett and Dom Bruehwiler, tit required the camera to determine their placings.
Largest field of the day was in B grade, where 22 riders rode their hearts out in a fast and furious event. There were a number of hard attacks on the 'rise'. Grant Alexander and Barry Whiting looked dangerous around the 30-minute mark, Keith Winch and Mike Watson with less than 10 minutes to go, and Brian Farrelly on the final couple of laps. However, the finish was again decided in a bunch sprint, and despite his earlier efforts it was Brian Farrelly who took the verdict over Keith Winch and Barry Whiting, the remainder of the money prizes going to Lee Parker, Ed Campbell, Dale Commach and Dave Bebee in that order.
Among the best performances of the day were those by Bruce Bussey and Mike Bonner who broke away after a few laps to almost lap the field. Mike Bonner really surprised, for as a rider new to the sport he had hung off the back of the bunch for the previous three races - but obviously a quick learner he put everything together at Wangara to put in an excellent performance that impressed the handicapper among others! In the bunch sprint, Bob Stephens showed his strength by holding off Steve Marks and his old adversaries Trev Robson, Bill Crout and Roy Swift in what was a closely contested fight to the line. Unfortunately the camera decided to have a hiccup, so only the first seven places were recorded.
The eleven riders in D grade were in attacking mood. Early antagonists were Brian Paxman and Sheona Clark but 'man-of-the-match' award went to Tony Speechley who proved his recent rides in the English Pennines paid dividends when he soloed away to his first ever victory with the club. Tony finished a good 300 metres ahead of the bunch that was led out by the oldest man in the race, 78-year old Ray Craig who used his Kiwi cunning to hold off Lindsay Froyland and Leo Enright for the cash prizes.
Results
A Grade - 50 mins + 2 laps 1 Doug Stewart 2 Wayne Thompson 3 Dave Townson 4 Paul Moke 5 Garry Collett 6 Dom Bruehwiler 7 Ian McFall 8 Bryan Williams 9 Alan Clark 10 Steph Ratcliffe 11 Wal Crowley 12 Paul Hearne 13 Rob Suter 14 Graeme Muston 15 Phil Johnston 16 Jim Gibson 17 Russell Fulton 18 George Miller B Grade - 45mins + 2 laps 1 Brian Farrelly 2 Keith Winch 3 Barry Whiting 4 Lee Parker 5 Ed Campbell 6 Dale Commach 7 Dave Bebee 8 Mario Librizzi 9 Trev Holmes 10 Mark Leaker 11 Gavin Brown 12 Dereck McVickers 13 Ian Logan 14 Grant Alexander 15 Clint Bird 16 Mike Watson 17 Frans Karel 18 Steve Illich 19 Steve Rouse 20 Steve Dodd 21 Rick Churchill C Grade - 40mins + 2 laps 1 Mike Bonner 2 Bruce Bussey 3 Bob Stephens 4 Steve Marks 5 Trev Robson 6 Bill Crout 7 Roy Swift D Grade - 35mins + 2 laps 1 Tony Speechley 2 Ray Craig 3 Lindsay Froyland 4 Leo Enright 5 Paul Crespi 6 Denis Robinson 7 Brian Paxman 8 Sheona Clark 9 Frank Kettle 10 Des Williams 11 Heather Sanderson
