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Joseph Sunde Memorial Criteriums
Heffron Park, Maroubra, Australia, January 27, 2003
Masters & Women
Results Elite Handicap & Women
Vignes strongest on the line
By John Sunde
Although the field for the Masters race wasn't as large as last year, the racing was, as always, just as fast and keenly contested. Claiming on the start line that he had consumed a few too many 'sherbets' the day before, Sutherland strongman Geoff Butler made a miraculous recovery when the gun went and taking Manly rider Sean Vale with him, almost disappeared from sight on the first lap.
Sensing an early upset, especially with the advantage of the tailwind over the back section of the course, 'super vet' Laurie Vignes, Parramatta set about getting the race back together. But his move had the opposite effect when after the 2nd lap he had managed to get himself and Dr Bob Hampshire, St George across to the leaders.
And that was it, 4 away after 2 laps and nothing anybody who was left in the 25 strong bunch could do about it. A couple of riders tried, the most successful attempt coming from defending champion Liam Kelly, looking resplendent in his new Randwick Botany team gear.
At the halfway point, the few too many sherbets Geoff Butler had enjoyed the day before obviously caught up with him as he drifted back to the chasing bunch, leaving Laurie Vignes, Sean Vale and Bob Hampshire with a comfortable advantage till the finish.
Kevin Nichols, St George decided with 5 laps to go he was going to make a race of it and with 3 others rode away from the completely disintegrated field. His efforts partly paid off as he won the gallop for 4th place, while up front, as was more or less expected, Laurie Vignes once again showed his impressive form by outsprinting Dr Bob Hampshire and Sean Vale to back up his win in 1999 and win his 2nd Joseph Sunde Memorial Masters race.
Results
1 Laurence Vignes (Parramatta) 2 Rob Hampshire (St George) 3 Sean Vale (Manly Warringah) 4 Kevin Nichols (St George) 5 David Barrow (Sutherland)
