25/04/2008
Anzac day for Gippsland Cyclists a race to Bairnsdale. Traditionally it has been the Sale to Bairnsdale race but for the last 2 years the race has left from Stratford and headed north to loop around to Bairnsdale via some quiet roads and rolling hills. The race is over 70 km and is generally completed in lightning quick time.
Warragul Cycling Club was well represented in both A and B grade. The A grade race quickly evolved into a two man show. Shane Stiles decided to put the pace on right away. He attacked as soon as the controlled section to start the race ended. A few riders tried to jump across to him but Charles Howlett from the Latrobe Valley was the only one who would make it. Charles has some experience as a professional bike rider and has won B grade in the Melbourne to Warrnabool race so when he and Stiles started to work together it was always going to be a tough race for the chasing peleton. Despite working together the bunch could not reel in Howlett and Stiles. Warragul young guns James Henry and Kane Walker jumped from the chasing pack with 20km to finish, bringing Big Jim Timmer-Arends from LCCC with them. The trio set out in search of the leaders. They had them in site at the finish but Howlett and Stiles refused to be caught. Howlett first, Stiles second and next came Walker and Henry, giving Warragul 4 of the first five riders. The bunch sprint for 6th resulted in a ugly crash which saw 2 Wellington CC riders taken to hospital with collar bone damage.
In B grade the big field stayed largely intact for the whole race. Warragul riders Rob Monk, Neil Walker, Matt Kennelly and Darren Williams road a conservative race and were happy to cover any moves that went up the road. When the sprint for home started they moved to the pointy end of the bunch for the first time. Matt took out the sprint with Darren in second spot. Warragul riders first and second. Rob and Neil finished strongly as well being well inside the top ten placegetters.
Local racing finally returns next week with a Handicap at Cloverlea.
