Club Races
Welch Wins on Weatherboard
Eureka Veterans Cycling Club Race Report – 19th February
Jacinta Welch was a popular winner of the Eureka Veterans first handicap race of the year, held on the challenging Weatherboard circuit. She rode to victory with the support of a hard working bunch, a new set of wheels, and a well-timed sprint.
Ross Waddington, Ray Hodgson and Shirley Hetherington got proceedings started and stayed clear of the chasing bunches for a considerable time, Shirley riding very well to finish in the top ten.
Chasing them was the winning bunch of Greg Curnow, Ron Larkin, Sue Parker , Graeme Parker, Gary Blood and Jacinta Welch. Graeme was in commanding form and along with Ron, they had the group rollicking along, so much so that no other bunch came anywhere near them. Gary enjoyed more come-backs than Lazarus, being dropped several times only to grind his way back to the group. Sue lead the bunch around the final corner into Hendersons Road and took a flier at the hill, the bunch only rounding her up at the very top. With everything back together it was down to the final sprint, and with a sizeable crowd of retired riders at the finish cheering her on, Jacinta found an extra gear to hold off a fast finishing Ron, with Graeme and Sue picking up the minor placings.
The middle markers were never in the race but there was plenty of action and heroics. The pairing of Matt Ritchie and Terry Constable needed to find the bunch in front or the bunch behind quickly to have a chance, unfortunately neither happened and they were left to soldier on in no-man’s land for much of the race. Chasing them, Rob Kinna and Kevin Lee duked it out in scratch racing style, this tactic put Malcolm Rock off the back and left Brett Caddy mystified. The last lap saw Popeye make a break on the Avenue corner and ride away.
Behind these antics returnee to racing Brenton Keats, ill-fated Peter Livitsanis, the mercurial Bob Morley and silky smooth Rob Parker kept things tidy and kept the chasing groups off their backs, but only made small impressions on the leaders. When Peter punctured on the third lap the group was always going to struggle.
Albie “Hefty Smurf” Govan, Murray Bardwell, Craig Lightfoot and David Perry worked tirelessly trying to peg back the groups in front. Albie continuing to display his rapid improvement, riding away from his bunch on the last lap to nearly catch the Morley bunch on the line.
The very strong second scratch bunch looked imposing on the start line. Ken Heres, Rob Phillips and Richard Taylor all riding well in their last appearance. They were joined by big Rod Hetherington, surely they would steamroll the field. They had a one minute advantage over the scratch pairing of John Rhook and Tony Mirrabella which evapourated during the first 7kms just like the morning mist on Lake Learmonth. This new super group rattled along gaining rapidly on the rest of the field. On the last lap, with Tony and John were content to mark each other for the fastest time honours, it was Richard Taylor who lit the blue touch paper at the bottom of the Hendersons Hill and exploded off the front crossing the line well in front of everyone else. John and Tony took off side-by- side for the fastest time sprint, John cramped and had to sprint “from the chair”, Tony sailing home in impressive style.
Results
1st Jacinta Welch
2nd Ron Larkin
3rd Sue Parker
4th Graeme Parker
5th Garry Blood
Fastest time: Tony Mirrabella
Eureka Veterans Scratch Racing Results February 5
John Rhook showed the advantages of his special South Australian summer hill training regime to power away from a large A grade field and score an impressive first up win.
A successful start to the new racing season saw over 30 brave souls brave a wind that would blow a brown dog of its chain. Most were concerned they may not be able to finish let alone be competitive, however most underestimated their form and a competitive days racing was had, congratulations to all.
Rhook Rules the Roost
A Grade
Nine riders lined up in very blustery conditions. As the riders left the starter, all eyes were on Adam Smith the noted rider in the group. Someone spoke of the rumour that Black Caviar had a photo of Adam Smith’s legs on her stable wall when she was growing up.
Rob Phillips was looking the goods and was also tagged as a contender. The effervecent Phil Cartledge was going to one to watch on the back straight, he would be sure to launch an attack down the edge of the road. John Rhook was showing his usual early season form after a great summer on the bike.
The first lap saw everyone in the group toil away diligently and it wasn't until the group turned into Donovan’s rd that Cartledge cranked it up and split the field. Two riders tailed off and as the group crossed the line for bell lap only 7 remained. The quarry road was uneventful until Phllips tested the legs on the climb with Dave Peters contributing to the pain as they turned onto Coghills crk road, A-Grade new recruit Richard Taylor finding enough to hold on. There were a few more test attacks down the back straight with strong man Darren Terry getting off the front for a short stint and returnee Andrew Rushton misjudging the distance to the Coghill Ck corner. As the group turned left off Coghills crk road Rhook played his cards in an all out effort to get away.He opened a small gap and settled in for a time trial to the finish line. With the aid of a big Northerly and a 300 metre gap as he turned into Donovan’s road the writing was on the wall. The bunch, chased hard, swapping turns to no avail. Rhook crossed the line for the win. Phillips lead the sprint out for second place but cashed his chips to early and Smith at full tilt on his 13 cog came by for second with Ken Heres hot on his tail in third.
Dean Wells Outclasses Field
B Grade
Ten riders greeted the starter, however the wind and a sharp start by Peter Livitsanis and Bob Morley put paid to three who were dropped in the sidewind rounding the first corner. However it was Dean Wells that was the dominant force in the race, clearly riding well above the level of the rest, he spent most of the race on the front. So effortless did he find progress that at one stage he was heard to ask Bob when would we start racing. Ably Govan and Brian Lee tried to keep the racing honest by making strong appearances at the front, with Murray Bardwell carrying the lantern rouge. With 6 riders left to contest the finish, the wind proved to be a factor again by putting Livitsanis into the gravel just before the Donovan Road corner. Up the rise with the tailwind encouraging him, Dean took off with Alby barely hanging onto his wheel. They soon gapped Bob, Brian and Murray. Dean found yet another gear and rode Alby off his wheel to win emphatically. The sprint for third saw Murray poke his head to the front for the first time all race.
Rock Keeps Getting Better
C Grade
An evenly matched group of nine riders contested C Grade. The extremely windy and tough conditions made their presence felt early, with both Jacinta Welch and Mandy Rhook wondering if they would last half a lap. The bunch started working turns, and worked well together for most of the race. Mal Rock made a brave move on the Quarry hill on the last lap, and opened an unbeatable gap, despite the tough ride into the head wind alone on the Coghills Creek road. Debutant Matt Ritchie, the latest Morley recruit ( the Morley dynasty now includes Bob, Maz, Nick and Matt), took over command of the rest, and on the last turn he took advantage of the tail wind and rode away from the bunch. The ever improving Mandy Rhook chased hard and it was full speed to the finish line. Rock-solid Mal sailed home to take the honours, with Matt Ritchie second and Mandy Rhook third.
Hodgson Wins Again
D Grade
Ray Hodgson continued on from where he left off last year in commanding style. He and new recruit Alby Chapman (yes Eureka Vet has 2 Alby s!) persevered into the wind, with Ross Waddington and Maz Morley sharing the work. Ray and Alby had to work hard to drop the determined Maz in the wind and then managed to drop Ross Waddington on the Quarry hill. Fortune was to smile on Ross as a mob of sheep slowed Ray and Alby sufficiently for him to rejoin. However this reprieve was only short lived as Ray and Alby continued their relentless grind up the hill into the wind, again dropping Ross. Left to slug out the downwind sprint, it was Ray with the largest spinnaker, easily taking the win and destined for C Grade in the near future.
Results
A Grade 1. John Rhook. 2. Adam Smith. 3. Ken Heres.
B Grade 1. Dean Wells 2. Albie Govan 3. Murray Bardwell
C Grade 1. Mel Rock 2. Matt Ritchie 3. Mandy Rhook
D Grade 1. Ray Hodgson 2. Alby Chapman 3. Ross Waddington.
Scott Townsend –Club Champion 2012
Weather looked threatening from the start of what turned out to be glorious conditions by the end of the race with 14 riders showing up to battle it out for the Eureka club championship, 70km consisting of 7 laps of the undulating weatherboard circuit.
From the start Scott Townsend took off from the front and the rest of the field were quite happy to let him sit out there for a while and let him warm his legs, the pace did however quicken and shut down the likes of Darrel Stewart each time he shot off the front in an effort to bridge the gap, as the rest of the riders knew how he took off the front in the Bendigo club championship, where there the riders did not give him respect and was up there in the results at the end.
Pace was not really hot and was always hovering around the 36 kmph mark, there were however remarks heard in the group about not letting Scott get too far ahead as “he can actually ride you know” so he was eventually brought back into the fold.
3 laps in, Ken Heres led a group of 4, got away coming up the Avenue. Phil Cartledge tried to sneak quietly off the front & believed he was not being noticed & was hoping to join forces with the 4. But just as he thought he had got away with it, the group came storming back hot on the heels with an almighty charge from Scott Townsend which then nulled the race and brought it back to a sedentary pace.
Tony Mirabella then thought he would attempt a breakaway and was happy to set the pace on his own. Again the rest of the field were happy to let this happen but were equally not as happy to let any other attempts to bridge the gap and join forces, of which there were quite a few but none successful.
Last lap and a half, the have a go attitude of Peter Kiel saw him ride off the front of the group. There was a big push with the rest of the group (surprisingly still together) to pull him back down the avenue the final time, but as the gap was just about bridged the group sat up & Pete kept plugging away and still had a good gap coming into the final kilometers.
Heading down Burumbeet Road before the left hand turn up Hendersons Road, Brad Fry took his chances and went off the front,
Cartledge took the left hand corner in a big gear & was able to keep momentum in preparation for the final climb which soon put him past Fry then Keil, looking down at the speedo he was doing 53km/hr as he hit the bottom of the hill and was thinking he had better make a go of this
There was a strong charge from the rest of the field of which only the strong would survive, Scott Townsend put those sprinters legs to good use to power himself up the hill and take him to the line as undisputed club champion, Tony Mirabella was hot on his heels with a good scrap for third being taken out by Shane Cody, 4th place Rick Calvert and Cartledge managed to hang on for 5th.
First and 21012 Club Champion –Scott Townsend
Second-Tony Mirabella
Third- Shane Cody
Fourth-Rick Calvert
Fifth- Phil Cartledge
B Grade Report- By Pete Livitsanis
Dave Peters, continuing his Division 4 champion form from Halls Gap last week, easily accounted for a relatively small field of five riders to win B grade in a sprint finish. Tony Geor and Peter Livitsanis shared much of the work up front for no good reason except no one else felt obliged, Tony occasionally animating things with a solid turn up front.
Bob Morley, resplendent on his new Cannondale, rode within himself, chatting with his opposition and enjoying the countryside, before showing them how fast the new bike can corner, leaving the rest to sprint to catch his wheel again. Dave Peters bided his time and was unphased by either the work up front or Bob’s cornering abilities, coming to the final hill he was sitting on Livitsanis’ wheel with a big grin on his face.
The tenacious Kevin Lee rounded out the fearsome five, like a stray puppy he couldn’t be shaken loose, he was off the back several times but turned himself inside out to get back on.
So rounding the last corner the field was together, Typically Livitsanis went from the bottom of the hill and blew up 2/3 of the way up, Dave sitting there grinning, Tony and Bob grinding away to stay in touch, with Kevin finally packing it in.
At the top with 400m to go, Dave eases to the front, eyeballing his opposition with disdain. There was no subtlety about it, gears were changed, Dave jumps, we all try to respond, but he wins easing down. Tony and Bob stomp past the hapless Peter for second and third.
Epologue
Bob was a bit miffed that his new carbon rocket was beaten by Tony’s new steely - Bob will bring the Zipps next time.
Bob will be more cautious about taunting Dave on the start line.
Peter won’t try to win a sprint from a km out up a hill.
Dave will try to look likes he’s suffering a bit every now and then or he’ll end up in A Grade.
C Grade Report- By Ron Larkin
An interesting mix of six riders made up the C grade field. Four experienced and tactful riders and two not so tactful.
The more experienced riders in Graeme Parker, Rob Ferguson and Ron Larkin were wanting a race at a controlled speed that reserved their energies for later in the race.
The first lap was controlled as B grade passed by on lap one with the club Vic President sledging us as he sat on the back of his own bunch.
Gary Blood decided to ride away on several occasions as the race progressed resulting the others having to chase him down.
Greg Curnow also displayed total disrespect for the other riders by altering the speed of the bunch for no good reason.
This irritated Ron Larkin and his Saturday morning training ride friends so a plan was formulated to ditch Blood and Curnow.
As the hill climb approached Larkin tightened up the wide belt holding back his blown gut and gave it all up the hill.
John Creek, Graeme Parker and Rob Ferguson were ready for the lift off and the mission went perfectly to plan.
After this there were four riders left with Graeme Parker opting to keep the pace up and help the others maintain the good gap rather than contest the sprint.
Long John Creek attacked on the last hill climb and Ferguson and Larkin were right on his wheel.
The pace lifted very quickly and Fergie fell away. Creek opened up a small gap. Larkin astonished by the Ferguson retreat and started to close up the gap to Creek.
As the finish line approached Larkin was closing in on Creek and coming up his right side very quickly.
However John Creek crossed the line first ahead of Ron Larkin second. Rob Ferguson looked flustered as he finished in third place ahead of Graeme Parker.
13.11.2011
Morley Wins on Windmill Circuit
Bob Morley had to work hard to get past the powerful Kevin Lee in a tail wind sprint at Learmonth on Sunday.
A good field took advantage of perfect weather to fight out a 54 handicap on Sunday.
Ray Hodgson, still buoyant from his impressive win last week, was first away with a diminished advantage. Chasing him was big Nick Verhagen riding solo with a four minute chase.
There was power at the back end of the field with Tony Mirrabella, the mercurial Phil Cartledge and Shane Cody was back with the coveted number one pinned to his top.
They had a four minute chase to two of the strongest riders in the club. Darren Terry and Richard Taylor combined would blow a power metre apart. But to counter that, they have a B.R.I.Q (Bike Racing Intelligence Quotient) of about 3.5%
They roared off after Dave Peters and Peter Livitsanis and caught them on the first lap and they would be hoping to stay from scratch and catch the field in front. Peters and Livitsanis did what they could as the other two powerhouses roared ahead.
The eventual winning group only had three minute gap but the Brothers Lee and Bob Morley were working like a well oiled machine and were quickly taking time out of the bunch in front. It is hard to believe Kevin and Brian Lee are actually brothers. They are out of the same factory but are completely different in physique. Kevin Lee is called Popeye because of his muscular build but Brian is built more like Olive Oil.
When you combine the power of Kevin, the hill climbing of Brian and the guile of Bob Morley you have a bunch that was to be reckoned with.
They caught Rob Ferguson, Ron Larkin, Alan Barnett, and Mal Rock on the second lap and lifted the pace on the climb over the back to see who was interested. Fergy and Mal Rock were not, but Larkin and Barnett tenaciously hung on.
They worked together to catch Graeme Parker, Greg Curnow, Jacinta Welch and Garry Blood. Once again the Lee boys thought it was getting a bit crowded and lifted the pace again on a hill and put the bunch back to the original three.
Half a lap to go and they still had not caught Hodgson and Verhagen who were riding better than they did last week. They caught them in the home straight and rode through them with Popeye on the front. Morley jumped on his wheel and the pace levelled out a bit when Verhagen was having a go down the outside. That ignited Kevin Lee into action and he lifted the pace in the tail wind whilst keeping something in store if there was a challenge. The challenge didn’t come until the last 70 metres when Morley jumped out and committed. They went for it side by side and Bob Morley gained victory by a small margin.
Brian Lee was third and Nick Verhagen and Ray Hodgson were fourth and fifth respectively.
The back end of the field had rounded up second and third scratch and Dave Peters was suffering because he had left his form on the previous days training ride.
Pete Livi hung on for a while longer, but shot out the back but continuing his comeback from injury. The second scratch Powerhouses Terry and Taylor jumped in and helped out. But in the tail wind sprint Shane Cody showed he was back with a sprint starting at 60 kms per hour. He went over the line well clear to take out fastest time
1-Bob Morley 2-Kevin Lee 3-Brian Lee 4-Nick Verhagen 5- Ray Hodgson
Fastest time- Shane Cody
30.10.2011
Phil Cartledge-First and fastest –Again!!
The rise and rise of Phil Cartledge continues. Last race he chased Ken Heres and Darren Terry and he rode them down. Well try chasing hard man Rob Phillips and Rick Calvert for size. No worries. Head down and chewing the head stem, away he went and caught them in a great display of gutsy chasing and time trialling.
Although many people were scared off by the weather reports, the race was a classic again with the handicapping bring a result from all parts of the field.
Ray Hodgson was first away with big Nick Verhagen giving chase with a minute to close. Verhagen caught him in the first lap and rode with him for a while and then struck out on his own.
Ronny Larkin was paid a compliment by the handicapper by being pitted with Brian Lee and they had to chase his normal bunch which included Graeme Parker Gary Blood and the inimitable Malcolm Rock.
The handicapper’s judgment was well placed because Larkin and Lee rode with power and precision and caught the bunch in front. The combined outfit worked well together and set off after Verhagen who was still a speck in the distance.
Cartledge, Phillips and Calvert were storming along without sighting the leader and just picking up and shredding dropped riders.
They picked up Pete Livistanis and strong man Darren Terry and it was the impetus the group needed. Pete Livi did what he could and blew up. Darren Terry made a solid contribution and was shelled on the quarry hill on the last lap.
Verhagen had led the race for two laps and he was caught by the Larkin and Lee led bunch. This group included Graeme Parker and the pesky Malcolm Rock, who was chirping in the bunch, trying to put the exhausted Larkin off his game. Larkin barely had enough strength to tell him what he thought.
After a call of “9 minutes” to the lead bunch on the last lap the chasing bunch could be excused if they shelved any attempt for victory and sit up for fastest time. But in a bunch of goers like that, giving up was never an option and they continued on their storming ride. The lead bunch came back to them quickly as the race lengthened and the wind speed picked up.
They picked up the leaders as they turned into Donavan’s road for the hard slog home.
Phillips and Cartledge lifted on the hill and it was only Malcolm Rock that could hold their wheel!!!
Calvert , Larkin, Lee and Parker were all casualties and struggled home to fill the minor placings.
Cartledge and Phiilips rode away from Rock to fight out the finish. Phil Cartledge took the chequered flag in another remarkable performance. Phillips, a great ride for second.
Third place and perhaps the ride of the day was Malcolm Rock.
Rick Calvert was fourth and Brian Lee well ahead of the languishing field for fifth.
1st & Fastest-Phil Cartledge 2-Rob Phillips 3-Malcolm Rock 4-Rick Calvert 5-Brian Lee
23.10.2011
Graded Scratch Races-Winfarm Hillclimb Classic
A Grade
A grade was an interesting and super competitive affair that had many attacks and breakaway attempts that were covered.
Main protagonist breakaway specialist was the inform Phil Cartledge whom lit the race up from the outset and let the group know it wasn’t going to be a nice roll around with a sprint at the finish.
Cartledge jumped out of the blocks and attacked up the first hill and quickly opened up a 300 metre lead. Generally this is not a problem but, such has been Cartledge’s form of late, his disappearing off the front could not be ignored.
Experienced gun, Adam Smith, was the first to try and jump across but found himself in no-mans landed he was absorbed by the field.
Former Pro Doug Garley attempted to cross as well but the result was the same. Tony Mirrabella was successful in getting across but as soon as anybody got to Cartledge he would attack again to test the mettle of the chasers. This was the pattern and the frenetic change of pace saw the demise of Ken Heres and Brad Fry.
Richard Taylor and Rick Calvert were off the pace at some stages but fought to get back on. Only the strong could survive Cartledge’s repeated efforts.
The race came together and it was going to be a contest to see who could survive the long climb up the Windfarm Hill. Tony Mirrabella the renowned climber was still there. The rangy Adam Smith was in contention. Peter Kiel was there as well.
Kiel has, over the years turned himself into a top rider, with precise preparation and attention to detail. But you cannot discount the toughness of this sporting legend. Just out of interest I entered the phrase “small frame but huge ticker” into Google Images, and the following image came up. No surprise really.
Doug Garley was still there along with Cartledge and Calvert. It was on for the long slog to the top. Mirrabella prevailed as one would expect but he didn’t have it all his way. Doug Garley was a close second. Rick Calvert was a surprise third. Nobody would have begrudged Phil Cartledge the race and he was fourth with Peter Kiel was fifth.
Great race in the spirit of what a scratch race can be and should be.
1-Tony Mirrabella 2-Doug Garley 3-Rick Calvert 4-Phil Cartledge
B Grade
Darren Terry was the Black Caviar of the field and was an unbackable pre race favourite.
He showed his strength on the second lap when he opened up a gap on the uphill run on Weatherboad road. No- one could go with him and it took until the left hand turn after the chicane that the field came back together. Brett caddy was well off the back and he looked like he was gone. But through determined riding, he re attached to the field in the avenue.
Terry was looking comfortable, and to use a motoring analogy he was ticking over like a slow revving V8. To continue the analogy, you would have to say that Brian Lee and Pete Livitsanis were rotarys. Brett Caddy could be described as a badly tuned V6 and Bob Morley could be likened to a 202.
Thing settled down and Darren Terry was looking ominous but behaving himself. That was until the hill on the fourth lap whereby he rode off the front and easily pulled a gap of 200 metres and he looked like he was going to go on with it in a solo effort. But he pulled up beside D Grade rider Ray Hodgson and slowed for a chat and a rest. The bunch regrouped and Pete Livi though it would be a good idea to counter attack. Yes it was a good idea-it just didn’t work.
The main bunch turned the corner to take on the long climb to the top. Darren Terry led the way with the diminutive Brian Lee stuck to him like glue. They quickly opened up a gap to Bob Morley and Pete Livitsanis who was on his comeback ride.
Darren Terry as expected pulled away from Brian Lee to take a deserved win.
The only interest in the race was the race for third and fourth. Leading to the last hill Bob Morley thought he had third place sorted and was enjoying the cheering and urgings of the crowd. What he didn’t realize that the cheering was recognising the late attack from Livitsanis. Pete Livi willed himself up the hill to take third place from the hapless Morley.
1-Darren Terry 2-Brian Lee 3-Peter Livitsanis 4-Bob Morley
C Grade
A field of six very in form riders contested the C grade event. Gary Blood rode very strongly for the entire race even over shooting a corner and managing to get back onto a field that was not waiting for anybody. Kevin “Popeye” Lee was being closely watched by his opponents as he had the ability to ride away from the group if not kept in check. The smooth as silk Alan Barnett was another contender who appeared to be cruising amongst the field. The bunch rode at a solid pace with everybody sharing the work and all looking lively. The cat mouse games started as the hill climb approached with Gary Blood and Kevin Lee out in front and the more experience Ron Larkin sheltering at the rear. As the group turned into the hill climb section Kevin Lee exploded out of the corner and up the hill winning by a several hundred meters. Ron Larkin followed him for a long lonely climb and finished very happily in second place. Jacinta Welch pulled away from the remaining field for third place ahead of Graeme Parker.
1-Kevin Lee 2-Ron Larkin 2-Jacinta Welch 4-Graeme Parker
D Grade
Ray Hodgson rode well to take out the D grade event. He rode strongly mostly by himself to take a well deserved victory
16.10.2011
Phil Cartledge First and Fastest
Phil Cartledge took the up challenge of the chase and was rewarded with victory. Cartledge was set the tantalising challenge of a solo minute and a half chase to Ken Heres and Darren Terry. Heres and Terry are both in the excavation game and both were digging in and making it as difficult as possible. Cartledge was having nothing of it, and rode hard and picked them up in the first lap in an example of tenacious and talented riding. His low riding style and big gear pumping, was ideal in the high wind that the field was subjected to.
Once this trio got together there was every chance they would ride though the field. The out markers however had other ideas. The limit rider Nick Verhagen was making the most of his 25 minute advantage and was going for it.
The glimmer twins, Greg Curnow and Garry Blood, were working beautifully trying to take time out of the big limit marker. They succeeded in only taking one minute out of him on the first lap and they were hoping the wind would take its toll.
The middle bunches were aspirational as well with the Lee Brothers and Bob Morley quickly rounding up Ron Larkin, Graeme Parker, Jacinta Welch and the bewildering Malcolm Rock.
They were more than surprised when Cartledge, Heres and Terry hit them near the end of the second lap.
Cartledge was on the front and he lifted the pace and put it down the road to put the blow torch to the field.
Riders shot out the back left right and centre and it was only Popeye Lee that survived the Cartledge onslaught. So it was Cartledge Heres Terry and Lee that set off to haul in the unsighted limit riders.
Verhagen was still holding off team Gaz and Greg by 500 metres when he punctured putting him out of the race. Gary Blood rode away from Greg Curnow in an attempt to greet the chequered flag. The eventual winner had ridden away from Heres and Lee and it was he and Darren Terry that rounded Blood up in the final straight.
Phil Cartledge put paid to all competition by riding away from the gutsy Darren Terry in the final kilometre to take one of his best wins yet.
Gary blood wasn’t far behind Darren Terry for a meritorious third. President Ken Heres was fourth with Greg Curnow a deserving fifth.
First and fastest- Phil Cartledge
Second- Darren terry
Third-Garry Blood
Fourth – Ken Heres
Fifth- Greg Curnow.
2.10.2011
Phillips Wins on Windmill
Rob Phillips pulverised a small but talented field on Sunday. Phillips is easing himself back into the racing scene after a break but he showed no signs of rustiness. One of the genuine hard men of the veteran fabric and can be mentioned in the same sentence as other hard men, Ken Heres and Guy Fella.
Phillips was off a generous seven minutes and he was ably assisted by last week’s winner Tim Oliver.
Once again the scratch bunch was a bunch of four chasing a bunch of three with a gap of four minutes.
Doug Garley Tony Mirrabella, Scott Townsend, and Phil Cartledge dropped straight into a rhythm and started the chase.
What they didn’t factor in was the riding of Darrell Stewart off second. The man is a machine. He was on the front for most of the race and was holding 40 kay an hour INTO the wind. He was helped out occasionally by Rod Hetherington and Richard Taylor who are no shrinking violets in the “having a go” stakes.
Even with that sort of power at their disposal they were luck to take time out of the steam train that was Phillips and Oliver.
Phillips and Oliver started with Bob Morley and Michael Veal but Morley was gone early in the piece not able to handle the massive Phillips downwind turns.
They caught Popeye Lee and Dave Peters and added Dave to their ranks and dispatched Lee to obscurity. The brave Dr Veal was next to go as they caught and crushed bunches in their wake.
The in form Ron Larkin was leading his bunch and making good time. Graeme Parker Ian Wallis and Jacinta Welsh rounded out a smooth moving group. Oliver Phillips and Peters smashed them on the tailwind straight with only Larkin managing to stay on momentarily.
Greg Curnow off 20 minutes and Shirley Hetherington off 25 were casualties as well. Shirley was amazed to be sitting on 60 kay an hour in the back straight and STILL got dropped. Once again, courtesy of Rob Phillips.
On the last rise they dropped Peters and the winning pair were left to fight it out. Predictably it was Phillips who rode away from Oliver to take a well earned victory. Peters had enough space on the rest of the field to hold third. Darrell Stewart and Richard Taylor fought it out for fourth and fifth with Taylor taking the honours.
Scratch, once again wee well back setting themselves for fastest time. Phil Cartledge attempted a break away to escape from the sprinters but Townsend brought them back up. Doug Garley and Tony Mirrabella went for it but it was Garley again who broke well clear for fastest time.
1-Rob Phillips 2-Tim Oliver 3-Dave Peters 4- Richard Taylor 5-Darrell Stewart.
Fastest time Doug Garley
25.9.2011 Race
Tim Oliver takes Victory
Former scratch rider, Tim Oliver, had no problems dispatching the competition in a bunch sprint in a 48 kilometre handicap event on Sunday.
Twenty eight riders were met with bright sunshine accompanied by strong biting winds.
Shirley Hetherington was first away to face the Weatherboard magpie on her lonesome. Five minutes later Terry Collie Greg Curnow and Gary Blood gave chase.
It took them 30 kilometres to reel Shirley in which was great riding on her behalf.
The in form Ron Larkin, Ian Wallis, Graeme Parker and Malcolm rock were chasing five minutes further back.
An even scratch field were looking for success with Tony Mirrabella, Phil Cartledge Peter Keil, Dean Griffin and Doug Garley hopeful of bridging the 3 minute gap to second scratch. Dean Griffin is still somewhat underdone and lost touch after contributing some strong turns in the Avenue.
They chased hard, but history repeated itself, as they failed to catch second scratch.
The six minute bunch was loaded with power but it proved that power with no cooperation is worthless. President Ken Heres set the early tempo and was hopeful of some even turns from his group. However Richard Taylor and Darren Terry found themselves well off the front and the bunch was fragmented early. There was a 5 minute gap to the eventual winning group and they found themselves in no man’s land.
The most even group was the bunch being led by the talented and laconic Tim Oliver. He was ably supported by the experienced Bob Morley. John creek and Kevin Lee did not miss a turn and they quickly took time out of the Larkin group and made the capture in the Avenue on the third lap.
The two groups came together and it improved their chances as Larkin, Parker and Rock made strong contributions.
The same wasn’t happening at the back of the field when Cody, Calvert, Shaun Terry and Rod Hetherington picked up the remnants of the Heres led 6 minute bunch. To say that big Rodney was frustrated would be an understatement. What was supposed to happen was crystal clear in his mind, but to get it to happen was a different matter.
Meanwhile Tim Oliver was leading the new group and probably increased their speed, if anything, and they enveloped the outmarkers and headed for home. Gary Blood was hammering on the front for the last four kilometres and seemed comfortable. Malcolm Rock was giving a running commentary, with his football analogies, proving he was riding within himself.
The lead bunch got to the last hill and Tim Oliver tested the field and he increased his speed and put the bunch up the road. Half way up the hill he looked back and all were still there so he backed it off.
Gary Blood, once again, went to the front with some fearless power riding. Bob Morley came off his wheel 150 out with Oliver tucked in on his wheel. With fifty to go Oliver popped out and did just enough to win by a wheel. Kevin Lee rode well the whole race for third. John creek and the consistent Larkin were fourth and fifth respectively.
The only question to answer was fastest time. I came down to the two legends in Mirrabella and Garley. They both stormed up the hill leaving Peter Keil and Phil Cartledge in their wake. Garley was too strong and Mirrabella sat up as he realised he was beaten by a better man on the day.
1-Tim Oliver 2- Bob Morley 3-Kevin Lee 4- John Creek 4-Ron Larkin
Fastest time Doug Garley
