10/05/2008
Twelve riders hit it out around the relative fast and flat Darnum course this Saturday. C grade boasted the largest field of 5 riders, and A grade a lone participant.
A and B grade began together for a 5 lap race in what would see plenty of attacks by the group of four B graders. Thomas Sander made an appearance after a long hiatus and swore he was only good for B grade. With a lap down, the A grader, Paul Yeatman looked in trouble as he was about 50m off the back of B grade. This turned out not to be the case as he soon caught up on the next hill.
Coming along the Darnum Shady Creek Road, Sander began what was to be one of several attacks. B grade was happy to let Sander ride solo for as long as possible and Yeatman made sure Sander was no more than 5 seconds ahead.
In almost the same spot on lap 3, Callum Barker attacked in a move that would see the bunch return to a group of 5. Dave Ballie and Tristian Murut went will Barker and Yeatman leisurely made contact about a minute later (not being too keen to chase down any breaks, but quite content to sit on the front and set the pace).
Barker attacked along Sturrs Road and was riding solo until the turn into Darnum Park Road. Sander then attacked along the Darnum Shady Creek Road and was left to hang 4 seconds off the front again.
With the final lap beginning, everyone was back together. Along the Darnum Shady Creek Road, Yeatman returned to the front and stayed there pushing along at over 40kph. Half way along Sthurs road he attacked and got a small gap. Coming up the the line he was fading fast but managed to come in ahead of the B graders. Sander easily same 1st (and said he would have beaten Yeatman had there been another 10m to the line). Next was Murut followed by Barker and Ballie.
C grade saw the continued good form of James Lalor take out proceedings from new riders Arron White and Richard Bridge with Tammy Patrick and David Axford following.
D grade saw Joe Patrick beat his sister Renee.
