UCI codes explained

Results and Reports from Australia

Promoters wishing to submit results should send them to cyclingnews

Carnegie Caulfield Criterium

Springvale Necropolis, November 5, 2002

Racing grows at new venue

By Malcolm Sawford

The Melbourne Cup day holiday didn't stop a healthy turnout for the second race at the fantastic Necropolis circuits. Word is spreading fast, with nothing but positive feedback so far, and both participant and spectator numbers were up. The cool wind that AFL Park was famous for blew tonight, but with the majority of both circuits sheltered, the Necropolis proved a much more hospitable venue; particularly for the spectators and officials!

With a good proportion of new comers, D Grade was given 15 minutes of controlled racing to ease the first timers into the basics of rolling turns and high speed cornering. Once the flag was dropped the pace lifted and the bunch slowly began to thin out each time up the gradual climb into the headwind on the back straight.

As is often the case, the bunch was quick to reel in anyone who tried to get away, and the survivors contested a bunch sprint. Kim Marshall claimed the coveted first up win, denying fellow newcomer Chris Taplin the honor. Young Michael Downing followed in 3rd place ahead of the not so young Ray Smith, with Michael's older sister Tess not far behind to claim the Women's prize.

C Grade saw Under 17 rider Chris Tassell (ProMotion) on the attack immediately after the bunch completed two observation laps. Hovering 50 meters off the front of the bunch, he was joined 20 minutes in by Steve Morrow, Doug Reynolds and David Downing (Le Tour Cycles).

The quartet were soon out to a 40 second lead, but the threat of promotion to B Grade saw Downing withdraw on the suspicion he was about to get a puncture! The others continued to increase their lead to the finish, where Reynolds was too strong for Tassell and Morrow. David Taylor led the bunch in over a minute later, with Cheryl Hickman (Bicycle Superstore) the only survivor in the women's division.

The B Grade race was fairly uneventful until the closing stages. Spectators were heard to wonder whether the two observation laps had been extended as the bunch remained intact for lap after lap! Eventually Daryl Annells went clear but was chased down just before the 3 to go call.

Brian Sing counter attacked and despite never having a lead of more than 100 meters, just held off the bunch for a good win and promotion to A Grade. Fastman Mauro Restrepo easily won the sprint for second from Owen Taylor and former World Pro Sprint Record holder and Cycle Fit guru John Kennedy.

In contrast, the attacks were non stop from the classy A Grade field. 10 minutes in last weeks winner Todd Wilksch (Fitzroy Cycles) was off the front with training partner Leigh De Luca, a combination the bunch couldn't afford to let go. Sugar Ray Turner (Diamond Back/Park Tools) raced away at the 20 minute mark, prompting a response from Leon Berger (BikeNOW) and Dean Johnstone (ProMotion).

The break worked well and held their lead for 15 minutes until things came back together. De Luca jumped away again with Jeremy Dunning in tow, and the pair stayed away until the bell lap, where even the late bridge by Turner was not enough to hold off the sprinters.

Wilksch took out his third win in 8 days with the host club, narrowly holding off World Masters Games Criterium winner Robert Crowe (BikeNOW) after a lead out from the hard working De Luca. Simon Walker (Bicycle Superstore) and Warren Knevitt (O'Mara Cycles) filled the minor placings.

Racing continues every Tuesday night on the circuit, with the Police Road gate (Melways Map 80 G6) opens at 6pm for race starts for all grades at 6.30. All holders of current Cycling Australia licenses are welcome (don't forget to bring your license or receipt!) and non-members can have a go by taking out a three-race license for $39, deductible from your full membership if you decide to continue racing. Our thanks go to the Trustees of the Necropolis for making the fabulous facility available to Melbourne's racing community.

Photos

Images by Mal Sawford

• C grade on the Avenue of Roses
• Crowe and Wilksch fight it out in A Grade
• Crowey leads the A Grade bunch
• Ray Turner leads the A Grade break
• The unsuccesful chase from C Grade
• The winning break in C Grade

Results

A Grade (1 hour + 3 laps) 18 starters
 
1 Todd Wilksch (Horsham CC)
2 Robert Crowe (Carnegie Caulfield CC)
3 Simon Walker (Carnegie Caulfield CC)
4 Warren Knevitt (Carnegie Caulfield CC)
 
B Grade (1 hour + 3 laps) 19 Starters
 
1 Brian Sing (Dirt Riders CC)
2 Mauro Restrepo (Carnegie Caulfield CC)
3 Owen Taylor (Carnegie Caulfield CC)
4 John Kennedy (Carnegie Caulfield CC) 
 
C Grade (50 mins + 3 laps) 29 starters
 
1 Doug Reynolds (Blackburn CC)
2 Chris Tassell (Carnegie Caulfield CC)
3 Steve Morrow (Carnegie Caulfield CC)
4 David Taylor (Carnegie Caulfield CC)
 
Unplaced Women: Cheryl Hickman (Carnegie Caulfield CC)
 
D Grade (45 mins + 3 laps) 29 starters
 
1 Kim Marshall (Carnegie Caulfield CC)
2 Chris Taplin (Carnegie Caulfield CC)
3 Michael Downing (Carnegie Caulfield CC)
4 Ray Smith (Chelsea & Peninsula CC)
 
Unplaced Women: Tess Downing (Carnegie Caulfield CC)
 
E Grade (35 mins + 3 laps)
 
1 Dale Reith (Blackburn CC)
2 Grant Bowker-Bell (Carnegie Caulfield CC)