15 May 2010

Manning Valley Cycle Club conducted the annual Bill Bourke memorial handicap last Saturday on the picturesque Coomba Park road course. Bill was a former President of the Great Lakes Cycle Club & was well liked by all members. He unfortunately he passed away after battling a lengthy illness. Defending champion, Lloyd Ninham chose not to start, instead concentrating on handicapping & Commisaire duties. New rider, Chris Bryan was given the limit mark alongside Paula Callaghan & although he was given a start was not eligible for any placings until he has done two rides & given a grading. Three riders that looked to be a dangerous bunch was Alister Currie, Gary Piper & Brian Louden. This proved to be the case for although Louden was dropped, Currie & Piper rode well with Piper just getting the better of Currie to win the race. Gary was very pleased with the result as he was a former member of the Great Lakes Club. Alister Currie came home in second place & Brian Lewis, having ridden away from his bunch of Len Newman, Rob Alley & Jake Schumacher took third place. Ian Budden rode to fourth place after his bunch started to crumble early with Stephen McInerney puncturing in the first three kilometres. Russell Davis & Stephen Richardson rode well but faltered in the final lap with Richardson eventually eigth & Davis ninth. Jake Scumacher outsprinted Alley & Newman for fifth place, Alley was sixth & Newman seventh. Wayne Callaghan took the final points position in tenth place just ahead of Noel Mathiske & Kellie Yeark. The scratch bunch of Dan Aldridge, Stephen Lewis & Dan Crossingham struggled early & lost Crossingham in the first lap. They continued on with Lewis being rewarded with fastest time. It was a difficult day as a storm hit in the middle of the race with some lightning & strong winds which resulted in most of the bunches being split up with many riders battling on solo to the finish. The hard luck story of the day was the new boy, Chris Bryan who remained uncaught & actually crossed the line first, but because he was not eligible was given a generous start by the handicapper, but still a great ride non the less. Wayne Callaghan again put in a wholehearted effort, & was supported by Greg Walmsley but could not make up the distance to the front bunches.

MANNING VALLEY CYCLE CLUB