15 Mar 2009

It seemed to be a typical afternoon of this criterium season, but fortunately Mother Nature was kind to us on the line with only a few drops to speak of; but further up the course the road was quite wet and slippery and it was to show in the senior events.

The juniors were on first in a handicap race with Keisha Dowsett first away off limit at 4 mins followed by Kobe Pattison at 3mins, Jordan Blick on 2 mins, Michael Dowsset on 1 min 30 sec, Lachlan Cross and Tom Steadman on 45 sec, Ben Cross and Baxter Pattison on 30 sec and Jahl Nicholson off scratch. Jahl Nicholson was far too good for the rest of the field - he was able to round up all his fellow competitors and take first place and fastest time. He was closely followed by Lachlan Cross, Tom Steadman, Ben Cross & Baxter Pattison. Jordan Blick finished in 6th, Kobe Pattison 7th and Keisha Dowsett in 8th position.  Looks like the handicapper might need to take a look and give the limit riders a little more start next race. Great job kids keep it up and have fun.

Next up was the senior grades, first away was D2 with one our oldest members and probably one of the most experienced riders in the club Bill Biddle making a return to racing after a long break. He was off with the every improving Belinda Crossingham, Steven Nicholson, Caroline Pattison, Tyler Nicholson and Mathew Blick.  With age on their side the 2 young boys soon took out a good lead on their rivals with Caroline in pursuit and the ever reliable Steven Nicholson not far behind and Bill and Belinda chasing.  Unfortunately the 2 young boys were too good for their adult counterparts with Tyler winning the sprint to the line from Mathew with Caroline in 3rd, Steve in 4th, Belinda in 5th and Bill rounding out the top six.

Next away was D1.  Leading the bunch away was a long-term member of the Club, Helen McCloy with Stephen McInerney, Amber Piper, Russell Davis, Zoe Dowsett and Kelle Nicholson.  The bunched stayed together for most of the race with many riders trying to make a break.  In the dash to the line Stephen was too strong taking out line honours from Kelle, closely followed by Zoe, Helen in 4th with Russell and Amber fighting out 5th and 6th places.

Next away was C grade.  Shane Dowsett, Ian Budden, Sean Sadler, Tanya Cross, Steve Richardson, Michael Gilbert, Phil Mitchell and, taking a break from B grade, Don Worger.  As was the case with D1 there were many attacks during the 2 lap journey.  Don lost contact with the rear of the bunch early on while the others remained together for most of the race.  On the last lap Ian, Sean & Shane managed to break away from the rest of the field and survive to contest the sprint to the line.  Ian Budden showed his proven sprinting ability to take out 1st place followed closely by Shane and Sean.  Tanya finished not too far behind in 4th with Steve, Michael and Don a little further back finishing in that order.  The ever selfless Phil Mitchell failed to finish by doing a good deed for the club and saving riders from a certain collision with a stray dog.

With numbers low in B grade it was decided to hold a handicap event with A grade.  Off limit were B graders Anthony Cross, Greg Walmsley, Gary Pearson and Gail Johnson.  Leaving 2mins later was A ‘reserve’ which included Jack Steadman, Glen Handford and Graham Norris.  B grade Club Criterium Champion Justin Shearer and Jason Parker left 1min 30sec in front of Michael Cross, young up and comer Josh Blick, the ‘Freight Train’ Rhett Pattison, Club Pres. Matt Worth and Lloyd Ninham.  The B grade riders were riding their own race in the early stages, with the only female Gail Johnson doing her fair share of the work to maintain the lead.  Meanwhile the A reserves were doing their fair share of chasing and trying to limit the A graders from catching them with Jason Parker on the front of the bunch frequently keeping up the speed.  At the far turn around on lap 2 Jack Steadman had a slow motion fall and had a small scar to show for his effort in the slippery conditions.  Midway back to the line the fast riding A graders caught and passed the A reserve riders.  Everyone was able to hang on but mid way up the climb on the final lap the young up and comer Josh Blick attacked the field and strung them all out.  Matt Worth was the only one to go with him, meanwhile the others combined for a chase of the breakaway pair.  Again at the turn around Jack made the same mistake again hitting the tar.  Meanwhile Matt was in the red zone and unable to stay in contact with Josh, making his way back to the main bunch. Coming into the finish the ‘Freight Train’ was in full swing with the sprinters waiting for the last minute to go.  Josh was fading quickly in the slightly up hill finish with the sprinters breathing down his neck but at the fall of the flag Josh managed to just hang on by half bike length from Lloyd Ninham and Matt Worth in 3rd, followed closely by the rest of the bunch to take out the minor places.

MANNING VALLEY CYCLE CLUB