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Results and Reports for July 20-26, 2002

Australia

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Mildura-Coomealla Cycling Club - 54km graded scratch at "Orange World"

July 20, 2002

by Peter Winton

The "B" names win !

Saturday the 20th of July, 2002 was the long awaited opportunity for the Mildura riders to re-establish themselves in the local pecking order. Another day of high wind, 15 knots according to the Doctor, not as severe as last week but with longer exposed distances. When will it ever end?

3 riders off together in the C grade division, Dave Priest, Michael Koopman and Brendan Liddle although he (Liddle) was given the opportunity to be promoted to the "killer B's". The A grade pace setters went next, Christophe Baudry, Rob McNally, Adam Wightwick, Geoff Marshall and a reluctant Nathan Welsh. The largest bunch by far being the "B's" was where the general interest lay, riders such as Jack Lokan, Ian Brade, Ian Beruldsen, Mark Phillips, Arthur Anderson, matched against Harry Robbins, Peter Winton, Kevin Gregory and newcomer Peter Mulhearn. We lost big Mully within the first 4 kms, far too much VB the previous evening apparently.

Unfortunately, Michael Shipsides had work commitments as did Harvey Dwyer, these two had been waiting with anticipation for this day, particularly Shippy. Revenge awaits this week blokes.

The C grade division was a contest between the veteran Priest and the new young bull in Liddle. Koopman continues to struggle through lack of training opportunities but nevertheless he rode the race out. The 2 lap program saw the 2 C grade competitors remain together until the last lot of hills on the "Orange World" course where Liddle proved too strong for Priesty and he took the money in that grade.

The A's separated early with Baudry putting in a scintillating burst to get 50metres ahead of McNally on the open highway. McNally was not waiting for the remaining 2 riders to put their best feet forward and he bridged the gap leaving the other 2 behind. "Crazy" eased for him and they rode off together although the young gun let Rob know just who was in charge with another attack. In the end Christophe took the dollars over Rob with Adam Wightwick claiming 3rd. Welshy probably hates us for the promotion, but hey, when you have skinny Colombian-like legs and ride an Eddy Mercx you deserve it!

Onto the "killer B's", well you're all mongrels except for Kev G and Mark Phillips. Leave me out the front when chasing the 2 "B's". My HR was 170 which is 90% and I was at that for far too long, no consideration. I was at 90% for too long. Arthur Anderson came over the top before the crest of Marrows hill followed by, in his words, "chewing gum riders" (coz they stick to your wheels and you can't shake them off !) in Robbins and Lokan and it was out the back for me. This merry little group picked up Geoff Marshall who had dropped off the A grade bunch. Gregory and Phillips had been torpedoed on the initial burst by the "Pale rider".

Round they went again on the 27km loop with Winton riding alone. All the way to Dareton, then suddenly Gregory, Phillips and Koopman appeared and joined in the tail-enders journey home. Bustling Beruldsen and the "Pale Rider" (he with the Tasmanian suntan) had broken away again on the same rise on lap 2 and the other contenders let them get 50m up the road, a strategic flaw. The double "B's" then stayed away for a 1, 2 with Brade getting the better over Beruldsen, both now heading for "chopping block, you betcha.

Apparently the main attraction of the closing minutes was the "off-road" exhibition put on by Harry Robbins at the Link Road corner (the finishing straight). Much to Arthur Anderson's delight the mantle of "off-road champion" is now dangling around Harry's neck. Another race day gone and with it the unfulfilled aspirations to be like a Tour rider. Not for long though as the race reminiscing commences and the "I could have taken him's" start to be uttered and the grand delusions are mounting for next weeks lung buster.

Unfortunately no times were recorded. Next weeks event is a 54km (9 lap) handicap at the Red Cliffs cemetery circuit commencing at the usual 1:30pm.

Results

A grade

1 C Baudry
2 R McNally
3 A Wightick

B Grade

1 I Brade
2 I Beruldsen
3 J Lokan

C Grade

1 B Liddle
2 D Priest
3 M Koopman