28/03/2009
No wind and blue skies brought cyclists out in numbers for the final race in the Autumn Criterium Series.
The A grade field was boosted by Scott Keeble, Brett Rollinson and Jason Krugar this week but it was the usual suspects who initiated the mid race breakaway. Shane Stiles and Kane Walker took off as usual but this week wiley veteran Geoff Thomson was in the right position to go with them. This trio worked well to establish a good break, eventually lapping many of the other riders in the race. In the sprint Kane was too quick for Thommo and Shane.
B Grade had the largest field of the day with 12 riders. The bunch stayed together for much of the race. Trev Rollinson tried a move mid race but was quickly brought back to the field. Youngsters Jarryd Jones and James Lalor were prominent at the front of the race and visiting LCCC riders Mike Krausz and Justin Gravett would not let anyone break away. For the second week in a row Rob Monk tried something a bit different on the final lap. This time he attacked coming into the final corner and established a big break passing the Leasure Centre. Jason Dastey, having his first race for the club, chased Rob and brought the field closer to the breakaway before Trev Rollinson got on the front and did the rest. Rob was passed within 100 meters of the finish line a broken and defeated man. The fast men came to the front. Young speedster Jarryd Jones looked like he had the winning legs but Matt Kennelly had saved his energy all race and was just too strong on the line. Jarryd’s second place was enough for him to take out the three race series in B grade. Third home was Justin Gravett from Mike Krausz and Trev Rollinson.
In C grade young Cyrus Monk had to compete against five female riders. The race stayed together for the first 20 minutes. Cy pushed the pace up the hill and the field split. Kim Ross was able to go with Cy and this pair worked together to stay in front of Pam Benstead and Tammy Patrick. Karen Munro dropped back to help Renee chase back to the others. Tammy managed to chase over the gap to Kim and Cy but Cy attacked again up the King Street hill and just hung on to take out the win over Kim in second, Tammy third and then Pam before Renee and Karen.
The series winners were in A grade Kane Walker, in B Grade Jarryd Jones and in C Grade Cy Monk. All riders are from the junior ranks so the future of the club looks bright.
