ACT Veterans Weekly Bleat, Monday 26th March, 2018

Hello Vets,

In this week’s Bleat;

• End of the Summer Season
• Event Traffic Controller courses for 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

End of the Summer Season

This week’s Crit and Track events mark the end of the 2017/18 Summer Racing Season.

There is no racing on the upcoming Easter Long Weekend and the Winter season commences on the 7th April at Cooma.

Event Traffic Controller courses for 2018

Two courses (free) have been scheduled for 2018, 21st April and 8 September. Details are available on Cycling ACT’s web site http://www.act.cycling.org.au/Road/News/2018-cycling-event-traffic-controllers-course-dates-confirmed

Members previously accredited as ATCs will need to do the updated training course to get ETC accreditation. Having enough controllers available in the club is critical to our ability to run races in the ACT and it is likely we will need to have ETCs for NSW races in the future. Please register for a place on one of the courses ASAP as numbers are limited.

Ian McVay

From the Desk of the Handicapper

The handicapper has decided to have another week off so you all get to stay in your grades for the last race of the season.

Interstate and Local Events

• AVCC Championships – Maryborough, Vic
  Easter Weekend 31st Mar – 2 April
  Saturday: 25km Time Trial, Sunday: Criterium and Monday: Road Races.
  Championship Jerseys, Medals and Prize Money. Entry Fee: $25 per event, $5 transponder hire for the weekend.
  Entries open soon:www.veterancycling.com.au. For further information: Tom Finning Mob: 0418 521 420 EMail: veterancycling@yahoo.com.au.
• Giro d’Canberra
  20 May 2018
  • Want to take on the challenge? The ride features 2500 metre climbs and 130km of stunning Canberra Brindabella countryside
  • Cycling is powering ahead in Canberra
  • Giro d’ Canberra is in its third year and growing
  • Lots of interest from Sydney based riders
  • Get in on the early stages of a growing annual event
  • A chance to promote your community cycling activities
  • Fully supported ride with vehicles and food stations
  • Organised by the Rotary Club of Woden Daybreak

  Entries:www.GirodCanberra.gofundraise.com.au. For further information: Barry Welsby Mob: 0413729951 EMail: welsbw@internode.on.net.

RACING THIS WEEK:

Tuesday, 27th March: Stromlo Criterium

Where: Stromlo Forest Park
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number.
Race Description:
A/C 20m + 2 @ 5:50
B/D 20m + 2 @ 6:15
E/F/G 20m + 2 @ 6:40

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

Wednesday, 28th March: Track Racing

The 2017-18 Track Racing Season will conclude on 28 March with drinks, nibbles and Trophy Presentation – All welcome!

If anyone would like to bring a plate, it will be most appreciated. Note that there will be a race warm up (5.30pm) and single race event (6.00pm) as a prelude to the celebration.

Sunday, 1st April: No Race, Easter Weekend

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 – 20th March

A nasty crash marred last Tuesday’s crtierium races. B graders Dougal Torrance and Richard Hedley came down heavily  but thankfully both are on their way to  a full recovery and hopefully will be back racing soon.. Thanks to first aider Simon Whitehead  who rendered expert care to the fallen riders until the ambulance arrived. And thank you to all who helped out, particularly with the care of bikes and personal effects  Unfortunately there is no word yet on the condition of the bikes!

The  accident blocked the northern end of the circuit for the rest of the evening and unfortunately the B and D grade events were cancelled.  The remaining grades were able to get underway albeit on a shorter track and race duration. A grade was its usual cut and thrust event, with Mark Harris prevailing over Michael Brice and Paul Scherl.

In C grade Ian Preston had a good win with Wayne Benham and Roger Northcote taking the minor placings. In E grade Dale Drummet took a strong sprint over David O’Keefe and the consistent Ian Morton.   Mike Hayes finally saluted the judge in F grade after four consecutive second placings in previous events….well done Mike! Graham Lindsay  and David Witteeven rounded out the podium. And Mike Spoljaric and Bernie Crowe took the points for first and second in G grade.

Mick Donaldson

Narrabundah Track Racing – 21st March

Only 11 riders turned out for Session 21 of the track racing season. This was the last competitive session for the track season. It is likely that the cold, overcast and very windy weather had an impact on the turnout.

The race events commenced with a 10-lap graded scratch race. Because of the low numbers, A and B grades were combined in the scratch race. B grade were given a half lap start in order to even up the rider’s prospects. Initially, the B grade group looked ragged as Tony Beasley led out and gapped the bunch. However, before long, B grade were working well together making the race difficult for the pursuing, A grade bunch. As the laps ticked off, A grade’s prospects did not seem to improve. Michael Langdon soon appreciated this and set off on a lone pursuit of the leading B grade bunch. Michael joined the lead bunch around lap 8 and sat on for a rest. By this time, Hamish Anderson had also concluded that the A grade bunch could not catch up. He also set out on a lone pursuit. As the bell lap approached, riders in the B grade bunch jockeyed for position. However, Michael Langdon attacked from the rear and soon had the bunch floundering in his wake. Michael took the win, with three B graders, Tony Beasley, Ross Scutts and Steve Hirsler following in that order. Hamish Anderson’s reward for his pursuit was a fifth place. However, the points gained by this pursuit were crucial to his prospects in the Season Points Score.

The next event was a 2 lap handicap with A and B grade combined in one race. B grade dominated this race with Hamish Anderson, in fifth, being the highest finishing A grader. Ken Birch made the most of his handicap and improving form to take a win in this event. Ross Scutts, Phil Anderson and Steve Hirsler followed in a compact group, in that order.

The next event scheduled was a points race. However, with poor riding conditions and failing light, it was decided to drop this race and finish the evening with the usual all-in, Italian Pursuit. There were five riders per team with the teams well matched. Both teams executed the pursuit flawlessly with the margin never more that a few metres. With two laps to go, Team 2 looked a good prospect. David McCook, the penultimate rider in Team 1 looked cooked (excuse the pun). However, with gritted teeth he circulated at maximum effort and conceded virtually no ground. This effort left the Team 1 anchor, Hamish Anderson almost on terms with John Paul De Sousa, the anchor for team 2. Hamish also gritted his teeth and scorched around the final lap to just eke out a win for Team 1. It was a great effort by Team 1 with only a half wheel winning margin.

Major place getters were as follows:
10-Lap Scratch: (A Grade): Michael Langdon, Hamish Anderson, John Paul De Sousa (B Grade) Tony Beasley, Ross Scutts, Steve Hirsler,
2-Lap Handicap: (A & B Grade) Ken Birch, Ross Scutts, Phil Anderson
Combined Italian Pursuit: Winner Team 1 (Tony Beasley, David McCook, Hamish Anderson, Ken Birch, Ross Scutts).

Final Season Point Score:
Michael Langdon (384), Hamish Anderson (307), Ross Scutts (306), Steve Hirsler (268), John Paul DeSousa (253), Tony Beasley (240), Phil Anderson (211), Phil Coulton (175), Ben Robey (154).

Final Omnium Points
Ken Birch (15), Michael Langdon (14), Hamish Anderson (11), Rowan McMurray, Steve Hirsler, Phil Anderson (10), Tony Beasley, (9), Ross Scutts (8), Kerry Knowler, Dougal Torrance (7), Phil Coulton, David McCook (6).

Graeme O’Neill

Uriarra Roubaix – 25th March

Undaunted by either the pave (dirt road) or threatening weather, 21 riders lined up for the ACT Vets’ inauguration Uriarra ‘Roubaix’ today. All grades were represented with A-D grades riding three laps of the course and E-F completing two laps. Many riders took the opportunity to test their CX bikes on the tough course.

A and B grade combined at the start for their respective races. The early pace was high with David Medlock splitting the field on the way back from the first turn. He was closely followed by an in form Mark Harris, Peter Taylor and fast chasing Paul Scherl. Frustratingly, David Medlock’s early advantage was hampered by a puncture on the first dirt section and he was forced to chase hard to team up with Rob Langridge and Jason Parks. Duane Toohey powered away from the B grade race and spent the rest of the race off the front for a strong solo win. David Medlock’s resilience was further tested with a lost chain however he held on for an impressive second ahead of a fast finishing Jason Parks and Rob Langridge.

The A grade trio of Mark Harris, Peter Taylor and Paul Scherl combined throughout the race to set a blistering pace. They road an almost identical time for each lap at close to 25 mins. Paul took a deserving win with an attack up the final rise on the dirt road finish. Mark and Peter followed close behind for second and third respectively. Special mention goes to Peter Taylor who was promoted to A Grade on the start line.

The C grade field also split on the first lap with Ian Preston showing his strength for an impressive solo win from lap one. Warwick Wilson, Mark Taylor and Ian McVay fought hard to keep Ian in sight however the pave took its toll on each lap with the chase group reduced to finally a determined Warwick Wilson in the final lap. Ian Preston was the clear winner with Warwick Wilson 40 seconds back followed by Mark Taylor and Ian McVay close behind.

D grade was the largest grade of the day with 9 riders. We welcomed the return of Annie Broadbent from a 3 year break and also welcomed two newcomers, Andrew and Donna Stephenson. The race was one of attrition with the combination of dirt road and increasingly strong wind spreading the field. Andrew Matz, Andrew Stephenson and Darron Garnon combined to distance the rest of the field consisting of Annie, Simon Milnes, Frank O’Sullivan, Terry Moore, Des Brown and Steven Byrne. Andrew Matz took a convincing win ahead of Andrew Stephenson and Darren Garnon.

E and F grade combined and wisely rode together for the race. The dirt road turn around nearly spoilt Ian Morton’s chances with a low speed spill however he was able to remount and join the race, grateful to Kirsti McVay and Donna Stephenson for waiting. In the end there was barely a tyre width between Ian Morton in first place and Donna Stephenson. Kirsti McVay coming in for a close third.

The race was expertly supported by Robert Miller, Polly Templeton and Christopher Short performing ATC duties and Graham Hendrie sorting out the dozens of other behind the scene tasks that make the race happen. Thank you for your welcome advice and assistance. Terrance Dougal was missed as Race Director and we look forward to his speedy return from his recent injuries.

Damian Copeland