Leongatha-Mardan 3rd May 2014

8min bunch Leongatha-Mardan 3rd May (50 event images)

Saturday racing was back to normal club racing and the circuit was around the tough Leongatha-Nerrena-Mardan-Leongatha circuit.  Fortunately the rain stayed away and race conditions were pretty good.  The club welcomed along 6 riders from Warragul, a new rider and several having their first ride of the season.  The senior race over the 38km circuit saw the 2 scratch riders chasing bunches at 2min, 5 min, 8 min, 11 min and 14 min.

“The trio on limit were Damien, David  and Michael”

The trio on limit were Damien King, David Bennett and Michael Park.  They were followed by a quartet of Gary Campbell, Kerry Pritchard, Austin Timmins and Harrison McLean.  By the time these riders reached the hill top at Mardan it was Austin and Kerry out in front with Austin showing the benefit of his Wednesday night training with the bunch doing it pretty easily.  The steep pinch up past Grays Rd saw Austin out in front and on his own against the field.  Austin powered into Leongatha to claim a clear win in a time of 1.10.47.

Meanwhile behind the 6 rider bunches at 8 min and 5 min had come together whilst new rider Matt Sullivan had dropped his co-markers on second scratch to get to the main chasing bunch.  This bunch rounded up all the others on the run back into Leongatha to bring a bunch sprint for the minor places.  The finish was an uphill drag in Horn St near the Special School.

“Second place went to the Warragul stalwart Jeff Thompson in 1.05.30 …”

Second place went to the Warragul stalwart Jeff Thompson in 1.05.30.  Third went to Chris Rowe, 4th to David Supple and 5th to another Warragul rider John Batten all at the same time. Steve Wilson was next in at 1.08.39.  A short break saw a tired Neil White cross in 8th place at 1.09.13.  The Warragul rider Colin Manintveld was 9th at 1.09.40 then Matt Sullivan finished at 10th and Fastest Time of 1.03. 52 sec.

The scratch duo battled to go with the bunches and finished at 21 and 22nd in a time of 1.04.37.  The hills and tough circuit produced a range of performances with riders mostly having plenty to do over the coming weeks.

The Junior riders raced 20km out and back to the Meeniyan-Nerrena Rd corner. Limit was Oliver McLean at 5.30 ahead of Thomas Fitzgerald at 5.00min whilst on scratch the handicapper had Bernadette Fitzgerald and Alex Bennett.

“Alex being fond of the course it was not long before he had dropped all to also ride home a clear winner”

This duo worked well but with Alex being fond of the course it was not long before he had dropped all to also ride home a clear winner in a time of 40.07 min.

In the sprint for the minor places it was Thomas edging out sister Bernadette whilst Oliver came home for 4th.

Next week the club members get to join the Caulfield-Carnegie riders for racing at the Phillip Island car circuit.  This is a great opportunity to race on a closed circuit with good competition.

Also over the weekend the Ararat Junior tour was on and this event attracts a big field with plenty of riders over from South Australia.  Thomas McFarlane and Will Lumby were taking part and both missed the podium in the time trial and Saturdays road stages.  They will both be hoping for better form closer to the State Titles.
report by Lindsay Love