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Results and Reports for June 1-7, 2002

Australia

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Mildura-Coomealla Cycling Club

Werrimull, Victoria, June 1, 2002

Werrimull hosts Sunraysia cycling

Report courtesy of Peter Winton

Where is Werrimull? Located about 75kms roughly south by south west from Mildura on the "Werrimull" road - where else?! Well it's not a place known by many unless you are into dryland wheat growing. Not a lot of trees out there either apart from the odd patch which farmers haven't been able to remove. Nevertheless Mildura-Coomealla Cycling Club riders travelled to Werrimull on Saturday, June 1st, for a graded scratch race over 48 kilometres. Riverland Cycling Club riders (SA) were invited across the border as part of an annual exchange between the clubs and all together 21 cyclists took to the roads out in the Millewa heartland.

The A grade group included the Riverland's Hamish MacKurdy, a very strong rider, along with Kevin Tankard, Rob McNally, Adam Wightwick and Chris Baudry. In B grade, the largest group, Barry Pollock, Arthur Anderson, Ian Brade, Nathan Welsh, Harvey Dwyer, Jack Lokan, Ian Beruldsen, Michael Shipsides, Peter Winton, Mark Phillips and Basil Taggert.

The C grade bunch consisted of Riverland members Chris Dalla Valla, Lara MacKurdy and John Eshman along with Werrimull's principal pedallist, David Priest and 2nd-timer, Adrian Lloyd.

Each group, sent out five minutes apart, a contest only between the riders within each grade. The challenge is to survive the attacks by individual riders upon the bunch. With each grade having riders recently competing in the Tour of the Riverland there was some expectation that race hardness from that event might prevail. As it turned out the week in between was not a good training period for several riders, with colds and flu taking their respective tolls and tired legs from 140 kilometres of racing the other factor.

In the wash-up the B grade bunch were first to greet the chequered flag, and the interested patrons of the Werrimull Hotel. A grade riders crossed the line 2 mins 38 secs later, followed by the C grade group a further 45 seconds behind.

Winner of the C grade race with a time of 1 hour 25 minutes and 54 seconds was David Priest. Collecting for himself a dinner for two at the Werrimull Hotel, 2nd place went to Dalla Valla and 3rd to Eshman.

B grade ended in a bunch sprint with only 5 seconds between the winner and 6th place. 1st was Nathan Welsh in a time of 1 hour, 17 minutes and 47 seconds. 2nd place to Michael Shipsides with 3rd going to Barry Pollock.

In the A grade event the strongly built McKirdy finished too well for 2nd placed Tankard from McNally in 3rd place. McKirdy's winning time for the 48 kilometres being 1 hour 15 minutes and 9 seconds. Riders adjourned to the cosy atmosphere (and warm log fire) of the Werrimull Hotel for presentations with a vow to return.

Next race is on 15th June at Barndeet road (Red Cliffs) for a 66 km handicap commencing at 1.30pm sharp. Names to Barry Pollock by Tuesday, 11 June please.

Results

A Grade
 
1 Hamish MacKurdy                  1.15.09
2 Kevin Tankard
3 Rob McNally
4 Adam Wightwick
5 Chris Baudry
 
B Grade
 
1 Nathan Welsh                     1.17.47
2 Michael Shipsides                   0.01
3 Barry Pollock
4 Ian Brade                           0.03
5 Basil Taggert                       0.05
6 Peter Winton
7 Mark Phillips
8 Jack Lokan
9 Arthur Anderson
10 Ian Beruldsen
11 Harvey Dwyer
 
C Grade
 
1 David Priest                     1.25.54
2 John Eshman
3 Chris Dalla Valla
4 Lara MacKurdy
5 Adrian Lloyd