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Joseph Sunde Memorial Criteriums - NE
Heffron Park, Maroubra, Australia, January 26-, 2007
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Race 3 - January 26: Elite Men, 1 hour + 3 laps
'Too many mates' dig deep on the day
- Local lad upstages the older pros
By Gerard Knapp
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"The problem with this race," said organiser John Sunde, "is that there are too many mates, and mates of mates." So while favours were asked on the start-line and mid-race, the 'mates' also dug deep and gave generously. After all, it was Australia Day, and the atmosphere of friendly rivalry saw riders donate their prize money back to the Children's Cancer Institute of Australia, the principal beneficiary of the 14th annual Joseph Sunde Memorial Criteriums, held on January 26, in the popular off-street technical circuit of Heffron Park, only kilometers from the Sydney CBD.
The elite men's race saw a selection of US-based Australian professionals mixing it with very strong local professionals and club riders, wily veterans and talented U23s.
The visiting professionals were upstaged by local boy, Shaun Higgerson, who, while a regular at Heffron Park for years, is also one of the country's leading U23 riders. Higgerson is contracted to the South Australia.com-AIS Continental team, the talented squad that took out the teams prize at the recent Tour Down Under. Higgerson sat out the TDU but his next race is the Tour de Langkawi and looks to be in excellent form.
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He attacked his fellow break-away companions on the final lap and finished in front of Trent Wilson (Jittery Joe's) and another local rider, Stewart 'computer' Campbell (Eastern Suburbs). This trio - and Joe McDonnell from Sydney-based Continental squad FRF Couriers - attacked the main field early on in the 'one hour-plus three laps' race format.
They built a lead of over 40 seconds on the field and each major team had a rider in this break, so the two other Jittery Joe's riders, pre-race favourite and two-time winner Jeff Hopkins and new arrival Cody Stevenson, were content to roll around in the bunch.
The field and only began to eat into the lead in the final laps of the race. Peter MacDonald and Dave Treacy, also of FRF, had broken free and tried to bridge to the leaders, but they found themselves in 'no man's land', especially as the wind strengthened significantly through the race. The back section of the crit circuit was into this headwind, so once a break was formed, it stayed that way.
Higgerson used his local knowledge and strength to attack Wilson and Campbell on this technical back section of the final lap, and once he got a small gap, he was able to hold it down the finishing straight, with the cross-tailwind at his back. Wilson finished 10 metres behind, with 'Computer' a similar distance in arrears, a strong effort considering he'd already raced earlier in the morning, winning the combined (and competitive) Masters 1-2-3 division race.
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The FRF riders, MacDonald and Treacy, finished fourth and fifth, respectively, while McDonnell finished further down the field after he was put under pressure by a strong attack from Wilson with two laps to go. For a few moments it looked like the Jittery Joe's rider may pull off a well-deserved win, but Campbell and Higgerson closed it down for the final lap, with Higgerson taking a comfortable win.
After the race, Campbell said he was, "twice as stuffed" after competing in two events that morning, while Wilson was happy with his second; "I would have liked one place higher, but there's always next year".
Higgerson already knows the ropes; he thanked the event race sponsors, prize sponsors and the organizers. He acknowledged the effort was all to help a worthwhile charity. As for his race, "I'm an old boy from way back," said the U23 rider. "I've been racing here for 10 years." He knew when to attack and how much was needed to win, and he's also off to Malaysia next week. "That will be tough, and hot," he predicted.
Earlier in the day, as previously reported, Campbell won the combined Masters 1-2-3 race from David Earley (Eastern Suburbs) and David Whyman (Clarence St). In the Master 4-5-6 event, spectators saw the return to racing of the 'super-vet' of the Sydney race scene, Robert Upton, after a break of several years. Upton finished ahead of Mark Arnold (Randwick-Botany) and John Crowchley (St George).
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In the combined B-C-D grade handicap event, including leading female riders Rochelle Gilmore and Sky-Lee Armstrong, the handicapper got his time-gaps spot-on, as the field came together on the final lap for Tim Kerle (Peloton) taking the win ahead of veteran Hans Visch (another Eastern Suburbs rider who'd also raced earlier that day), Todd Sinclair (Peloton), Jonathan Cridland (Southern Cross) and Rochelle Gilmore in fifth. Lloyd Newell (Port Macquarie) was the first C grade rider, and Kate Osborne (Eastern Suburbs) was the first D grade rider.
A cultural highlight of the event was performances by Australians of Portuguese origin, arranged by Frank Conceicao, principal of Sydney bicycle retailer Albion Street Cycles, a supporting sponsor of the event. The musicians and dancers performed traditional music and dance while the elite men's race was underway. It was yet another example of Australia's multiculturalism and for the race, "it was very special, and quite unique on Australia Day", Sunde said.
The race was sanctioned by the NSW Cycling Federation, which joined in the charity by also donating its "sanctioning fee" (equal to 20% of the combined race entry fees) also to the children's cancer institute.
Christine Sunde, wife of John and mother of Joseph, who lost his life to leukemia at four, was delighted with the response. "It's just so wonderful to be able to put something back," she said of the efforts to raise money for the cancer institute. "A man just walked up to me and gave me a cheque for $500. It's amazing."
Mrs Sunde expects that over $5000 will be raised on the day, taking the combined donations from the race to almost $30,000 since it was first held.
Reporter's comment:
After yet another week of negative international cycling news, it was re-affirming to see how the sport - and the people who support it at grass-roots level - can make genuinely positive contributions to their communities. Cyclingnews extends its congratulations to all concerned.
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Gerard Knapp/Cyclingnews.com
- Tim Kerle leads home the field in the combined B-C-D grade event.
- Stewart 'computer' Campbell accepts his prize for taking out the combine Master 1-2-3 event.
- The podium for the combined B-C-D grade handicap race. (Missing is Rochelle Gilmore, who finished fifth.)
- The elite men's field collectively listens to instructions prior to the start.
- The elite men's field assembles. Jeff Hopkins, a two-time winner of the event, was one of five JSM criterium race winners, including Brent Dawson, (far left) who is making a return to racing. Dawson is a former Australian criterium champion who also raced in the US with Jelly Belly.
- The break at mid-race distance had a lead of over 40 seconds and worked well together.
- FRF gave chase but Peter MacDonald and Dave Treacy couldn't reel them in.
- It was single file in the main field as the wind picked up.
- The break flashes past the start-finish line while the Portuguese dancers perform in the background.
- Another win for the SouthAustralia.com squad. Shaun Higgerson broke free on the final lap to finish well ahead of fellow break-away riders Wilson and Campbell.
- Close but no cigar. Trent Wilson finishes second, clearly disappointed in the result. "There's always next year," he said.
- Stewart 'computer' Campbell rolls across the line to take third.
- Sprinter Jeff Hopkins (Jittery Joe's) leads home the main field to take sixth place.
- John Sunde interviews race winner Shaun Higgerson, with runner-up Trent Wilson (Jittery Joe's) in the background.
- The elite men's race podium after the 2007 Joseph Sunde Memorial Criterium, held on Australia Day, January 26, 2007.
- Higgerson with the Sunde clan, (from l-r) Portia, John and Christine.
- Raffle winner Peter Armstrong (centre) poses with his prize - a new Trek worth $2000 - and Geoff Nash (left) from prize sponsor Trek Bikes Australia and race organizer John Sunde.
- Cycling event organizer, Phill Bates, left was one of the winners in the charity raffle. He is congratulated by Christine Sunde, with John on the platform and daughter, Portia, seated with a friend.
- Traditional instruments were used for the musical performances that were held as the elite men's race was underway.
- Race organizer John Sunde poses in front of the traditional Portuguese dancers. "It was very special, and quite unique on Australia Day", Sunde said.
- Race winner Shaun Higgerson poses with his new steed supplied by Teschner, the Australian company that is now the bike sponsor for the South Australia.com -AIS Continental team. Higgerson commented, "I really liked my previous bike, but this one is even better. It's lighter, and it fits me", he said of the frame's geometry. The current bike weighs in at 7.1kg with standard 'bar and stem.
Images by Stuart Baker
- Australia Day presented by Gruppo Folclorico Regional da Madeira.
- Portuguese cultural dancing added a special multicutural flavour to Australia Day at Heffron Park.
- The crowd were entertained with a range of Portuguese of folk music.
- It was a Big Day Out of music and dancing for the younger crowd.
- The elite race prepares for the start of the 14th Joseph Sunde Memorial Criterium.
- Troy Glennan softened up the field with an early solo break.
- Angus Morton was part of the NSW under 19 development team coached by Graham Seers.
- Trent Wilson looking comfortable in the bunch in the opening laps.
- Robbie Cater and Anthony Spurgeon accelerating out of one of the many Heffron Park corners.
- Danny Massouras back home enjoying his summer break from the Belgium winter.
- Trent Wilson attacks to set up the race winning break.
- Shaun Higgerson gets across to the break.
- Cody Stevenson is another Aussie in Jittery Joes colours for 2007.
- 1999 race winner, Brent Dawson making a comeback to elite racing.
- The bunch pass the finish line on another warm Australia Day.
- Stewart Campbell does his part to maintain the speed of the break.
- Joe McDonnell and Shaun Higgerson in the break.
- Troy Glennan keeps an eye on the progress of the break.
- Shaun Higgerson keeps the break motivated with a mid race pep talk.
- Dave Whyman checks over his shoulder as he takes the bunch down the gutter.
- Pete McDonald and Dave Treacy in pursuit of the break.
- The heat and the speed begin to show on the faces of the bunch.
- Pete McDonald eyes up the gap to the break in the closing laps.
- 2006 winner Jeff Hopkins back in the bunch.
- Trent Wilson attacks the break with two laps to go.
- Bell lap and the remaining three riders, Stewart Campbell, Shaun Higgerson and Trent Wilson start to jockey for position.
- Shaun Higgerson wins the 2007 Joseph Sunde Memorial on his home circuit.
- Trent Wilson coasts home for second place after another typical agressive race.
- Pete McDonald almost pips Stewart Campbell for third on the line.
- Jeff Hopkins easily takes out the bunch gallop.
Results
1 Shaun Higgerson (South Australia.com - AIS) 2 Trent Wilson (Jittery Joe's) 3 Stewart Campbell (Eastern Suburbs) 4 Peter MacDonald (FRF Couriers) 5 David Treacy (FRF Couriers) 6 Jeff Hopkins (Jittery Joe's) 7 Tim Willing (Eastern Suburbs) 8 Steve Fitzpatrick (St George) 9 Anthony Spurgeon (Caravello) 10 Brad Mills (North Sydney) 11 David Walton (Parramatta)
