The second race for the season was held from Pound Creek with riders completing 2 laps of the 24km circuit. Whilst it was fine riders had to battle a solid wind on the climb toward Koonwarra and past the herb farm and then around past the golf course. With 27 starters including 14 having their first ride for the season it was a difficult task for the handicapper to get the groupings right. Young gun Nick Aitken riding from scratch alone gave away starts of 15 minutes with riders split into 5 bunches – 2, 4,6,8 and 15 minutes.
The first lap saw all the bunches lose riders as the pressure and hills took their toll. The limit bunch had split with David Lumby and Ken Barnes riding away
from the other 4 co-markers. The 13 riders from the 6 and 8 minute bunches had come together with only 8 holding the pace. Steve Wilson, Jason Scott, Jake Laine and Phil Hanley were keeping the pace high. Similarly the chasers behind saw the 9 riders from the 2 minute and 4 minute bunches get together.
The second time up the hills past the herb farm saw riders dropped from these bunches and the gap to the leading duo of Ken Barnes and David Lumby shrink until they were caught by the top of the golf course hill. Nick Aitken managed to bridge his gap to the 2 and 4 minute bunch but they were still a minute down on the leading bunch.
The tail wind down the Pound Creek Rd saw a bunch of 7 riders contest the sprint. Steve Wilson (6 min) lead the sprint out with Jason Scott (6min) coming of the wheel to look the winner only to find David Lumby (15 min)having his first ride back snatch the win on the line. In third place was Jake Laine (8 min). Steve rolled in for 4th then it was Phil Hanley 5th, Ken Barnes 6th, Tom Dudley 7th. The backmarkers were lead home by Dave McFarlane 8th, Thierry Roland 9th and Kevin Feely 10th. Nick Aitken finished 11th and Fastest Time – 1hr 20.28.
In the Junior race, over 10km on an out and back run on Pound Creek road, Will Lumby, riding from Scratch, caught Thomas McFarlane and Matt Dudley on the long drag up to the turn. Not content with that he kept the pressure on to roll in ahead of the others to claim the win and fastest time making it a Lumby quinella for the day. Matt claimed second and Thomas 3rd.
Next weekend the club will stage their Victorian Open Junior Experience weekend. Racing on Saturday will be at Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve whilst Sunday morning will be at Outtrim. Club senior riders will get a chance to race Sunday afternoon after the completion of the junior racing. Club officials expect around 80 juniors to front up for the racing.
Race report by Lindsay Love
Senior Race Results