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Results and Reports for June 15 - 21, 2002

Australia

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Mildura-Coomealla Cycling Club 66km handicap

Mildura, June 15, 2002

by Peter Winton

Another good roll-up, 20 Mildura cyclists, tested themselves against the Barndeet Rd to Colignan Store and back circuit on Saturday.

Better weather presented itself for the day with a slight northly wind that shifted around like some-one trying to buy a cheap car. There was no sign of the rain that came down over Sunraysia the night before. The handicapper saw fit to match up riders in pairs for something a little different and they were off at intervals of approximately 1m:30s apiece.

Two groups of three were in the mix however, and one of these was a dangerous one containing Anderson, Welsh and Shipsides at the 4 min mark. They were to combine with Lokan and Taggert of the 5 minute mark and form a solid chase bunch. The formation of the Phillips & Winton (7:30) combination with Pollock and Dwyer (6:30) at the 10km mark soon had Gregory and Robbins together forming a 6 man bunch. Pollock really had Dwyer working hard in catching the 7:30 bunch and continued in that vein in linking up with the front markers of Beruldsen, Liddle and Lloyd. Doyle had already been surpassed by the bunch.

At the Colignan turn around the chasing riders were not far behind. Mills had the disc wheel on doing a solo "time-trial" in preparation for a duathlon and when the two A grade teams had grouped and caught the "duathlon man" he (Mills) put in some strong turns along with Wightwick in the pursuit of the profusely sweating Shipsides team. "Shippy" was very eager to stay away from the scratchies and he geed-up the bunch along with continual efforts from Pollock, Dwyer, Winton, Anderson (as always) and Taggert. It was at this point that Basil Taggert looked the most comfortable and primed for a good finish. Brendan Liddle, in only his 3rd race, was still doing the hard yards at the 50km mark although he, along with a couple of others were starting to crack under the Anderson pressure on the front.

Lloyd had lost touch on the rolling sand hill rises at this point and several others were starting to brace themselves (ie sit-on) for the inevitable A grade approach.

Getting over the Lindemans Winery hill is a killer and it told on the bunch with the speed falling back to 32 kms and your truly finding himself yet again rolling over at the wrong time and behind the Doctor! Still, the 4 man scratch bunch of Baudry, McNally, Tankard and Wightwick was not in attacking sight. Beruldsen and Pollock attempted to separate the bunch of 13 riders soon after the "Stuart" turn-off but, thankfully for me, the bunch had a couple of goers who wound them back (silly boys!).

Silently, but deadly, the nasty A graders slipped onto the back and infiltrated the group with about 3 kms to go. Baudry crept into the bunch and found himself about mid-field followed by McNally and Tankard. Wightwick had lost touch and was way back. Anderson launched into the characteristic "too far out to win but I'm gonna do it anyway" attack. Run down again and then followed Lokan who had been waiting for his legs to re-join his body into a surge to the lead with McNally on his hammer. Winton thought this is the time to get a wheel and he did, for about 5 seconds before cramps saw the end of him. Tankard was still waiting along with Baudry!

In the final rush McNally got bush-whacked by some slowing riders and ruined his opportunity to close down Baudry and Tankard. However some mental toughness saw Shipsides, Dwyer and Phillips stay in contention. Good efforts also noted by Robbins, in 9th and Beruldsen in 11th place.

Each and every rider stating after the race how much tougher it had been than in other handicaps and in particular on this circuit. Indicated by race averages from Lokans bike computer of 39kph, Winton (finishing 15th) of 38kph and McNally with 41kph.

Next week is Special Trophies day (Open and Vets) at Riverside, a 64km (8 lap) graded scratch race. Start at 1pm.

Results

1 C Baudry  (O'Malley's) 
2 K Tankard
3 M Shipsides ( ha, A grade soon fella!)
4 N Welsh (heading to chopping block)
5 M Phillips  (hmm, epo?)
6 R McNally  (cab sav!)
7 H Dwyer  (only 3 kilos over now)
8 B Taggert
9 H Robbins (dangerous)
10 B Pollock (look out Spain!)
11 I Beruldsen
12 K Gregory (vintage VB)
13 J Lokan (mathematical)
14 A Anderson (stitchin' 'em up)
15 P Winton 
16 Adrian Lloyd
17 P Mills
18 A Wightwick (needs it colder)
19 Robyn Doyle