UCI codes explained

Results and Reports from Australia

Promoters wishing to submit results should send them to Cyclingnews

Mildura-Coomealla Cycling Club Scratch Race

February 16, 2003

Visitor handed win by friendly locals

By Peter "Honest!" Winton

The Summer Season ticks away, it's already mid-February and with 6 weeks to go the C grade comp is all but wrapped up with yougster Dion Basse-Anstee holding a mortgage over the C grade. Kevin Tankard has a vice like grip on yet another A grade season. In the "killer Bees" it's Peter Winton by a narrowing margin from Brendan Liddle and Richard Hale closing fast.

Our Club welcomed visitor Adam Merche from Footscray CC for this weekends event. We went easy on him by having our leading rider away in Adelaide for the weekend, yeah we could have taken him! Isn't that right fellas?

Adam took the honors by 3 seconds over Ian Beruldsen.

Fine weather conditions prevailed today, no sign of forecast rains or storms. Certainly the Hunter Valley "Tulloch" cabernet was re-appearing through the sweat glands of my head (and there's a few of 'em too).

Starting orders saw Dion Basse-Anstee and Barry Pollock away with a 2 minute reprieve on the main bunch. Not sure what Jack Lokan did wrong to be elevated from this early mark, he seemed comfortable in that position recently in his comeback. The short (5.5km) lap of this circuit had the early markers in sight as we all crossed the line on lap 2, Ian Brade shouldering most of the burden, as he can.

Bit unnerving when the Footscray member hasn't shifted up a gear since the start and we've been at 40 klicks for the most part, reaching mid 50's in the downhill section. Still no movement of the rear derailleur on that Principia.

With Pollock and Basse-Anstee on the back the peloton shuffled about with a rider now and then stomping on the pedals to see what might happen. The B grade riders watching each other intently as the clamber for points in the Bikes & Trikes 2003 Summer Season championship is getting tighter. Rumour has it a certain rider's mum gave him one of her tablets, she said it was alright, hmmm?

There were no major break aways occurring, Ian Beruldsen tried a few times as did Ian Brade. Eventual winner Adam Merche launched a couple of surges but the bunch was never broken for long.

On the final descent and into the Deakin Avenue finishing straight (700m long) it was Arthur Anderson leading the field (later claiming a prize for first into the last corner, on yer bike Arnthor!). The high speed wind up and the T intersection strung the pack out and had Adam Merche clear out for the win.

Hmmm, I believe a McLaren Vale shiraz of '98 vintage might be a better pre-race supplement, nothing against those NSW grapes but, you know… along with about 200 more kilometres during the week.

Next week is a 30 minute criterium after the Emergency Services Triathlon at Mildura's riverfront lawns (the rowing club) at 10:30am. Riders are asked to be on site by 10am.

One more thing, Adam Wightwick turned up, got on mid-race and decided bile wasn't a pleasant tasting breakfast condiment and got off. Nice story that!

Results, 43km

1 A Merche (Footscray CC)        1.08.18
2 I Beruldsen                       0.03
3 R McNally
4 G Marshall
5 B Liddle
6 R Hale
7 D Basse-Anstee
8 A Anderson
9 I Brade
10 P Winton (note the fall from grace!)
11 J Lokan
12 B Pollock