Woolamai 18th August 2018 (combine #15)

“Will Lumby once again prevailed showing he is the top club rider.”

A very wintery weekend has not deterred the cycling club members. Saturday saw the club run a Gippsland combine event from Woolamai race track riding out to the Corinella highway turn then back via the Glen Forbes gorge and Archies Creek before the stiff climbs back up Mill Rd and down to the race track. Riders raced in 2 grades and the very gusty wind and hail showers made it tough going.

In the A grade event, all the field was still together after the 10km run out to the Highway but it turned pear shape for all but 3 up the 4km gorge climb. Out in front by around 1km were Will Lumby, Ollie McLean and new member from Inverloch – Alex Dunbar. This trio stayed together over the 4 climbs on Mill Rd even though it was mostly headwind stuff and left them all competing in the downhill sprint finish. Will Lumby once again prevailed showing he is the top club rider. New rider Alex was the surprise packet taking out 2nd place ahead of Ollie McLean. Next in was Chris Joustra (Latrobe Valley) some 1min 30 sec adrift. He was just ahead of Kyle Thompson, 5th (Warragul) and Leigh Stott. Brett Franklin came home in 7th, Connor Bagot 8th and Tex Walker 9th.

The B grade field of 6 riders split up on the sharp pinch up to the Glen Forbes Rd leaving 4 out front. However, up the gorge climb, Thomas Fitzgerald lost contact again leaving 3 riders together at the Mill Rd corner. The climbs and headwind again played havoc with this trio. The last pull up to McDowells Rd junction saw the smallest rider in the field – Peter McLean- benefit from the wind and the hills as he opened up a 40m gap which he held all the way to the finish. Next home was Rod Cheyne and then Kara Landells with another great ride. Thomas Fitzgerald came home in 4th just ahead of sister Bernadette.

Next Saturday morning members will start from the Velodrome at 10.00am for the Mt Eccles hill climb. At this stage, the weather forecast is for much better conditions than last Saturday.

Lindsay

results n/a