20/12/2008
Finally summer arrived for WCC members on Saturday as good numbers turned out for criterium races around the Burke street circuit in ideal conditions for cycling.
In A grade Kane Walker and Shane Stiles set the fastest lap of the day on lap 1. This had Tim Lee and Paul Yeatman in trouble early on. Kane decided he needed a solid hit out so he decided to keep going, time trailing 400meters off the front of the chasers for much of the race.
Eventually the chasers got organized and reeled him in with 2 laps to go. The bunch remained together up the hill the last time but youngster Callan Barker surprised everyone by attacking in the back straight and establishing a good break. None of the favorites were keen to chase so Callan’s lead increased until riders realized he would not be caught unless they did some chasing. Callan was reeled in within sight of the finishing line and the fast men came to the front. First to lead out was Kane Walker but James Henry and Shane Stiles quickly moved past him and battled out the finish. Stiles had to use all his reserves to get past James in the shadow of the post to take out the win. James second, Kane third, then followed Geoff Thomson, Callan Barker and Paul Yeatman.
In B grade Trev Rollinson promoted himself up a grade to dish out some punishment to some of the younger riders. Trev was prominent on the front each time they raced up the King Street hill. His son Brett Rollinson was also looking strong and when Brett let Trev ride off the front no-one was that keen to chase. Brett waited until King St loomed again and charged across to Trev leaving the rest of the field behind. (Are family team tactics allowed?) The father and son combo worked together for the final laps and never looked like being caught. They lined up side by side for the sprint and headed for the line locked together. Initially it looked like the younger legs of Brett would be too quick but Trev stuck like glue and loomed up near the line and for a moment looked like the winner. Brett would not be deigned though and kept going to the line to take the win. Then followed Tristan Marut and Darren Williams. Scott Keeble and Matt Kennelly did not finish.
A field of six lined up in C grade. Last week’s place getters Neil Walker and Rob Monk were prominent at the front when going up the King Street hill and Ross Henry was always willing to drive on the front. The bunch remained intact until the penultimate run up the final straight. Youngster Aaron White kicked hard out of the corner into Burke Street and for no particular reason was allowed to establish a good gap. He held an 80 meter advantage crossing the start finish line at the bell. He increased the lead going up the hill as Monk, Walker and Henry were reluctant to use too much energy in the chase and have none left for the sprint. Cresting the rise the chases realized the race was getting away so they began to work on the front. Aaron still had a handy break coming into Burke Street the final time. Simon Baxter overcooked the final corner and lost ground riding in an out of the cones. Ross Henry and Neil Walker took up the chase and Rob Monk was gapped and had to chase over to them. Aaron was fading fast but still looked the winner passing the caravan park. His lead was still 50 meters when Rob opened up for the final sprint with 300 to go. Aaron was passed by Rob about 20 meters before the line and while Neil Walker was flying at the finish, Rob was able to just hang on for the win. Neil was second with Aaron a gutsy third place. Then followed Ross Henry, Simon Baxter and Karen Munro.
It was great to see a reasonable D grade field. The group of seven riders remained together for much of the race. Dave Axford and Brett Williams shared their experience with Junior racers Cy Monk, Tristan Walker and Joe Patrick. Pam Benstead was also riding well. Cy pushed the pace up the hill in the later laps and with one lap to go he established the winning break on the field at the top of the King Street Hill. Steve Muggeridge, finally back in the saddle after a serious back injury, rode across to Cy but was not able to stay with him. Cy took out the win from Steve with Brian Munro in third. This made it 2 from 2 for the Monk family. Then came Dave Axford, Pam Benstead, Joe Patrick and Tristan Walker.
