ACT Veterans Weekly Bleat, Monday 12th February, 2018

Hello Vets,

In this week’s Bleat;

• From the Desk of the President
• Notice of Annual General Meeting 2018
• From the Desk of the Handicapper
• Interstate Events
• Racing this Week
• Race Reports

Please send me your contributions at: TheBleat@actvets.cc

Ian Morton

From the Desk of the President

Dear Members,

I apologise to those that were planning to ride out first two races in 2018. Last year we had a series of issues that we have now, for the most part, dealt with I hope. This year we had something new come up that we now have a plan for. In essence the issues revolve around preparing and planning a calendar for a full year’s racing (which we started in October 2017), checking latest road approval requirements in NSW and the ACT, then preparing 30-40 multipage documents and transmitting them. This takes quite a significant amount of time and effort from volunteers, generally at a time when many of us are on holidays! Whilst this does not excuse the cancellation for the events which we ourselves planned, I hope it gives those members that may be frustrated with the lack of racing early this year, a sense of the amount of effort that goes into planning and conducting an event. Given the amount of planning involved, no-one feels the cancellation of an event more keenly than those that planned it.

The good news is that the other events should be good to go. I also appreciate the efforts of members who organised spontaneous rides via the Vets Facebook page. Just goes to show that racing isn’t everything and that the Vets strength is in the connections Vets make.

Please also note that, at the upcoming the Annual General Meeting, positions on the Race Committee will be available for those that want to have an impact on racing in 2018 and developing the 2019 Calendar.

Ben Davis has been working hard to fill the gaps for the Race Director spots up until the end of June, however there are still a few outstanding races that have no Race Director assigned. Please help Ben and the Race Committee fill these spots. If you you’ve never been a Race Director before there are guidelines available and loads of old hands to assist.

Race Directors are required for the following races:
–  4th March– Uriarra
– 18th March– Old Federal Highway
– 25th March– Uriarra
–  7th April-Cooma
– 14th April– Uriarra
– 28th April– Orroral
– 12th May– Smiths Rd
– 19th May– Dog Trap Rd
– 16th June– Cotter

Regards,
Dougal Torrance
President
ACT Veterans Cycling Club.

Members wishing to nominate for a Committee position can download a nomination form here

From the Desk of the Handicapper

From the handicapper’s desk overlooking the Tasman Sea in Newcastle.

– Simon Junakovic B to A
– Simon Porombka D to C
– Shane Warburton D to C
– Kevin Newhouse E to D
– Doug Lean F to E
– Ben McDuff A to B

Regards,
Rob Langridge
Handicapper

Interstate Events

• 2018 Tolland Open Handicap Weekend
  3-4 March
  Saturday: 90km Handicap &Sunday: 72km Handicap.
  $17,000 in Cash & $3,000 in Prizes. Entry Fee: $52.
  Entries Close: Wednesday 21st February 2018.
  For All Enquiries Please Contact Club President – Barry O’Hagan 0431 919 803.

  Note: Any interested Vets members should check on licensing requirements for this event (you may need to be CA licensed).

RACING THIS WEEK:

Tuesday, 13th February: Stromlo Criterium

Where: Stromlo Forest Park
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number.
Race Description:
A/C 5:50 A 38m+2, C 35m+2
B/D 6:35 B 38m+2, D 35m+2
E/F/G 7:15 28 min + 2 laps

Race Director:  Ben Davis Contact: Email: bdavis@internode.on.net    Ph  0416014629

Track Racing

Wednesday, 14th February: Track Racing

The Program for Wednesday is as follows:
5.30pm – 6.00pm: Warm-up and free practice;
6.00pm – 6.20pm: 1-lap Screamer TT;
6.20pm – 7.00pm: 2-Lap Match Race;
7.00pm – 7.20pm: Italian Pursuit.

Sunday, 18th February: No scheduled race

Upcoming Marshal Roster

Basically anyone who raced in 2017 will be required to marshal at least 1 race throughout the 2018 season. Marshals are critical to the running of events through the helping of finish line duties, driving trail/lead cars, turn points and setting up/packing up. The marshal assignment schedule for the first 6 months of the year is below. It is also on the race calendar and you receive an email advising you of it several weeks in advance, so there should be no excuses to missing your allocated race. If you are unavailable for your allocated race you need to organize a swap with another rider and advise the race committee (race.committee@actvets.cc).

RACE REPORTS:

Stromlo – 6th February

B Grade

Plenty of early attacks in near perfect conditions. El Presidente was in most as were Kevin Wells and Richard Hedley. Dougal had another crack 10 minutes in but was brought back. Peter Taylor, Kevin Wells and 3 others tried their luck before Dougal launced yet another attack this time with Simon Junakovic. It came back together for the sprint with Simon Junakovic finishing ahead of Al Bontjer and Bruce Goodfellow.

D Grade

The pack stayed together early with the super strong Felipe Lopes Reis yet again setting much of the pace. Rob Mackey was the first to launch an attack but the peleton hauled him back and he was ejected out the back. Towards the end of the race both Liz Lowe and John Marinov made separate attacks but were reigned in. Shane Warburton won the sprint from Gillian Lugg and John Thorn.

E Grade

The bunch hung together for the majority of the race. 15 minutes in there was a surge and the peleton spread and split but to no avail and it soon regrouped. Kevin Newhouse took the honours ahead of Sam Agostino and Mick Donaldson.

F Grade

In a pack of six, Doug Lean and Leeanne Tennant were doing plenty of the pace setting out front. There were no attacks and the group circulated together for the entire race. Doug Lean was first over the line followed by Mike Hayes and Penelope Anderson.

G Grade

Bernie Crowe set the early pace before attacking but was caught by himself. The peleton of one settled into a consistent pace with Bernie taking the honours.

A Grade

With A & C grades on the track together they put on the QUON show. In A Grade Mark Terracini was putting in multiple strong attacks lap after lap. Mark instigated at least 4 attacks before a large mob of roos wanted a closer look at the action and played havoc with the field for a couple of laps. The race director expertly guided the roos to the safety of the running track (that may not be entirely accurate but hey I’m writing the report). Mark Terracini attacked again and brought along Robin Mules. At the rear of the pack Mark Harris was watching it all unfold and with 7 minutes to go he made a strong attack. He was caught and the spoils went to Lewis Cressy followed by Nicholas Stewart and Andrew Chamberlain. Mark Harris was fourth. The evergreen Bruce Goodspeed was a valiant 11th.

C Grade

The Dominator (Dominic Romano) held up his end of the QUON show and animated the early part of the race with attacks but the effort took its toll. C Grade also had to contend with the pesky roos who liked the area next to running track fence close to the back straight. Michael Hanbury surged mid race and strung out the peleton. Ian Preston and Wayne Benham applied the blow torch and Wayne led for most of the last lap. Simon Porombka won the sprint ahead of Michael Hanbury and Ian “Locomotive” Preston.

Thanks to Michael Reppion and Ben Davis for their assistance and helpful roo herding advice.

Bruce Griffin

Narrabundah Track Racing – 7th February

There was a good turnout of 20 riders for Session 15 of the track racing season. The day was hot, still and dry. By race time, conditions were still quite warm with a slight wind. Altogether, quite good conditions for racing.

The 10-lap A grade scratch race saw a few attacks, with a big field of 12 riders making it a fast, competitive race. Around lap 6, Michael Langdon cranked up the pace causing a split in the bunch. However, John Paul De Sousa soon led the trailing group back. By this time, the bunch was really motoring and one rider was dropped. On lap 8 Michael Langdon attacked again, but this was only a feint and was soon closed down. Michael’s decisive attack came as the bell lap approached. Decisive is an apt description, as Michael was taking no prisoners. He scorched off to a 50-metre lead that he held comfortably to the line. There was a furious sprint for the places, with Rowan McMurray, Hamish Anderson and Tim Minehan finishing in that order.

The B Grade scratch race started with a healthy pace did not back off for the whole race. One rider was dropped on lap 7 and the remaining bunch circulated in unison until the approach of the bell lap. Steve Hirsler put in an early attack. However, with Tony Beasley, Ross Scutts and a few others on his wheel, his position looked in jeopardy. Tony Beasley put in a well timed sprint to overtake Steve. However, Steve held out to take second place from Ross Scutts.

The second event of the evening was a graded team pursuit. This race differs from the Italian Pursuit in that most of the team must hold together until the finish. For A grade, teams of six lined up with the result taken from the fourth team rider across the line. The race calls for careful tactics to preserve the team intact and support the weaker riders in each team. In A grade, Team 1 (Michael Langdon, Ben Robey, Tim Mineham, Craig Kentwell, Dougal Torrance, Rowan McMurray) were too strong and took the win despite some hiccups in tactics. The B grade race was fantastic with smaller teams of three circulating in lock step for four laps. At the finish, less than a metre separated the third rider in both teams. Team 2 (Tony Beasley, Phil Anderson, Steve Hirsler) just got the better of Team 1 for the win.

The evening’s third event was a 2-lap handicap with A and B grades being mixed into two separate races. In the first race, A grade dominated with Michael Langdon, Ben Robey and Dougal Torrance taking the race in that order. Michael’s ride from the scratch mark was impressive. In the second race, B grade riders dominated with Dan Gamper and Steve Hirsler taking the first two positions, in that order. Hamish Anderson from A grade took third place. Both handicaps were interesting and uncertain races with the final selection from a consolidated bunch in the last quarter lap.

As usual, the final event was an all-in Italian Pursuit. This event had a large field with eight riders in each team. With some last minute changes to teams, Team 1 ended up the stronger pick. They made a good start and were never in doubt for the win. Team 2 put up a good show and rode with commitment and discipline. However, Team 1 took a comfortable win.

Major place getters were as follows:
10-Lap Scratch: (A Grade): Michael Langdon, Rowan McMurray, Hamish Anderson. (B Grade) Tony Beasley, Steve Hirsler, Ross Scutts.
Team Pursuit A Grade Winner Team 1 (Michael Langdon, Ben Robey, Tim Mineham, Craig Kentwell, Dougal Torrance, Rowan McMurray) B Grade Winner Team 2 (Tony Beasley, Phil Anderson, Steve Hirsler)
2-Lap Handicap (Race 1) Michael Langdon, Ben Robey. Dougal Torrance. (Race 2) Dan Gamper, Steve Hirsler, Hamish Anderson
Combined Italian Pursuit: Winner Team 1 (Michael Langdon, Ben Robey, Tim Minehan, Craig Kentwell, Dougal Torrance, Rowan McMurray, Ross Scutts, Dan Gamper).

Season Point Score Update:
Michael Langdon (280), Hamish Anderson (219), Ross Scutts (208), John Paul DeSousa (182), Tony Beasley (166), Steve Hirsler (147), Phil Anderson (128), Ben Robey (128), Paul Kennedy (111).

Graeme O’Neill