18 Oct 2008

Criterium racing returned to Forster for the first time in many years since the Commonwealth Bank Classic was last in town. Manning Valley Cycle Club hosted the two division Saturday race as part of the Forster Triathlon and Multisport Festival. Division Two started the criterium proceedings with a hotly contested battle from the gun, with breaks going away early. Daniel Clinch was the first of the Manning Valley riders to roll the dice. He was later joined by a couple of away riders. In a dominant display of power, Jason Parker bridged the gap and continued to ride solo as the others were reeled back in by the bunch. There were some good tactics played out in the bunch by the Manning Valley riders as they made sure that all other moves were covered. Glen Hansford played a pivotal role in covering the breaks, and finished third behind a fast finishing Coffs Harbour rider. However it was Parker who took victory with a strong and powerful performance.

Division One was a fast paced race with high speeds, quick accelerations and mind-numbing pain felt by the riders. Josh Blick found himself in an early break but was quickly reeled in by the bunch. Beau Harper countered this move which lasted a lap before the pace of the peleton drew him back. Local rider Joe Lewis, riding for team Panasonic NSWIS, was a marked man and saw himself being watched by the rest of the field for most of the race. There were some very fierce attacks and some good counter attacks which reduced the size of the peleton to seven. Joe Lewis won the race with the first Manning Valley rider home being Daniel Aldridge in fourth followed closely by Beau Harper fifth and a valiant sixth place by the young Josh Blick.

MANNING VALLEY CYCLE CLUB