15/11/2003
Cyclists were well and truly warmed up as they arrived in hot conditions for Saturday’s race. With climbs up Slaughterhouse Hill, past the Hospital and up Burke St into a blasting north-westerly wind, this would be a race of attrition and only the strong would finish.
A-Grade comprised four hearty souls who were eager to assert themselves prior to the start of the criterium races. Scott Keeble was looking to strike back on the points table; Thomas Sandner was looking to extend his lead; Geoff Thomson was hoping for a return to form and new club member John McKenzie was out to make his mark (welcome).
Given the conditions, lap 1 was completed in a solid 19:30 with Thommo showing considerable strategic initiative when he pulled out for a drink. This left the trio to forge on posting around 20minutes for the second of three laps.
Thomas tried to stretch the legs as did John, but there would be no pulling away to make a clean break. Scotty new that a sprint was his best option and had to smile as he passed the last major hill near the hospital still well in touch. The path to the line meant riding into the teeth of the wind and leading out the sprint would not be the preferred strategy.
Good position early meant it was all over for the other two as Scott poured it on to cross in a time of 1:00:25. Thomas pulled off second and John having ridden 100km in the morning was happy with third.
B-Grade’s numbers were up with seven riders willing to challenge the elements. Justen O’Connor was back after an extended lay off and Chris Beales returned to contest the points. A menacing Tim Lee was ready to make his mark while the cagy Steven Sandner would take some beating. Ross was hoping to finish in the heat while Peter Bailey and Steve Twining were entering the grade with some good form.
Two climbs later Steve was suffering with asthma and decided to pull in for a beer at Danny Dilger’s place. By the hospital Ross found himself all alone as the bunch crossed in a time of 22:05 for the first.
No one wanted to lead into the head wind and Chris took it upon himself to do some long stints in front. It all caught up with him however when cold sweats in the hot conditions saw him lose contact with the bunch. Justen was also in trouble on the hospital hill after an attack by Tim but the leading three fell asleep and let him back on. All four crossed for the second lap in 21:48.
The tar was popping like bubble wrap as the cyclists wilted in the heat. A slow crawl up the first climb lead by Pete, followed by a push up slaughterhouse hill was enough for Justen to drift off the back and cruise home to take fourth.
The longer the race went the stronger Tim Lee was feeling but he hadn’t counted on the slippery tactics of young Steven or the cunning of the older and wiser Pete. Doing too much work down the straight Tim opened the door for Steven to take the sprint and handed second to Peter in a time of 1:06:28. Justen crossed 2 minutes later, Chris having stopped to assist with a tyre change was further behind and Ross in true gritty fashion pushed all the way to the end.
The C-Graders also started with more than they would finish with. Vic Spunner, James Henry, Michael Pridmore, Glenn Fisher, Monique Hanley and Steve Hall worked well in the first lap with no one succumbing to the heat. They crossed in a respectable 23:37 as a bunch.
Vic felt the heat and lost touch early on lap two. Meanwhile young James had the will but not the way when he attacked on one of the significant climbs. Legs fatigued from a stint in the Human Powered Vehicle ride, meant the attack would fizzle and the pursuing bunch would catch and leave behind.
This week it wouldn’t be the phone but the rear tyre that ended Steve Halls race near the hospital. A tight rim meant it took 30minutes to change and his race was over (the Doc should get his tight rim looked at). Michael, Glenn and Monique were still there to cross for lap two in 23:43.
Five minutes later, Vic pulled out of the race, found out how many were left and got back on the bike to finish it off.
The leading three remained together for the final lap with young Michael proving too strong in the sprint winning in 1:11:23. Glenn followed by Monique crossed on the same time. Vic in true gutsy fashion finished the race and gained some points.
D-Grade welcomed new rider Luke Hanley to racing in the trying conditions. He and Brendan Pridmore, Greg Williams, Kym Fisher, Dave Axford and Steve Jackson set off to complete two gruelling laps.
It didn’t take long for the cracks to appear with Luke and Greg both succumbing early. Kym, Dave and Steve were still together after their 25:09 first lap and Brendon was slugging out 1 minute behind.
In the finish Dave would string the group out and prove too strong taking the win in 50:50. Steve crossed two minutes later and then Kym a further 28 seconds behind. Brendan rounded out the race in a time of 56:10.
A special thank you to Fiona Williams who acted as the corner marshal and Staf Duncan for his invaluable assistance. Crit racing starts next week and the club looks forward to big numbers turning up.
