The 10min group start two laps of the circuit. (65 event images)
The Club was able to enjoy a good day for racing at Korrine on Saturday although at the start time there was a strong northerly blowing. However, over the course of the race (2 laps) this dropped substantially. There were 17 starters for the senior race including hand cyclists Alex Welsh. The trio on scratch, Thomas McFarlane, Austin Timmins and new Club time trial champ – Will Lumby, had 2 riders on 3 min, 6 riders on 7 min, 3 riders on 10min and single riders at 13 min and 16 min all chasing Alex.
The handicapper had a reasonable day although some riders were perhaps impacted by the 6 strong 7min bunch. This group were able to chase down all but Alex and whilst the older riders tried to shake the young tyro – Oliver McLean – on the downhills runs and sections with a tail wind by virtue of more suitable gearing compared to his restricted gears, Oliver was able to chase them down on the climbs, especially the steep run up to the Glen Alvie corner. However, there efforts were not enough to catch Alex who finished 1 minute clear in a time of 1hr 16min 36 sec. Oliver led home the sprint for 2nd place just ahead of Kevin Feely, Chris Rowe and Leigh Stott. New rider Karen Hill also from the 7min bunch was next home with a great ride for 6th place.
Another 20 sec back saw the sprint for 7th and fastest time with Thomas McFarlane taking the honours in 56min, 20 sec, just ahead of Austin Timmins. 9th place went to Harrison McLean and rounding out the top 10 was Will Lumby. Rod Cheyne, just back from riding around France and being pretty fit after riding up lots of mountains including the legendary Mt Ventoux, found the pace of the 7 min bunch a bit too hot and his times suggest the 10 min bunch was more to his pace.
Thomas away to chase down the field on his new bike.
In the B grade race over 1 lap there were 7 starters and this race produced plenty of action out on the road. On the long climb up the McGraw Rd hill, the lone scratch rider, Thomas Fitzgerald, basically had all the field stretched out in his view. Sulli Herbert (7min) was finding the hill a grind but Jack Allen had dropped co-marker Greg Bradshaw (3min) and was flying,catching Harry Herbert (5min). Also going well was Kaleb Jans (2min) who had caught Zach Stubbs- Teylor(2.30) who was over –heating with a warm up jacket still on. Shortly after this Zach came to a sudden halt when his jacket caught in the wheel as he was trying to take it off. This allowed Thomas to go steaming past. Through the roundabout and up the next climb, Kaleb Jans also came to a halt with a puncture just when he looked like hitting the front. This left Jack desperately trying to stay ahead of Thomas but the climb up to the Glen Alvie corner brought him undone. Thomas went sailing by and on to a clear win in a time of 34.18 min. Jack finished on well to hold second and Harry Herbert persevered to take third. Zach recovered his momentum to finish 4th, Greg 5th, Kaleb in 6th after a tube changeover and Sulli 7th.
Next Saturday club racing will start at Leongatha North however, a large number of riders will be away competing at the State Titles.
Lindsay
updated 9am 25th Sept.
