Hello Vets,
In the Bleat this week;
- Race Fees
- Gunning 2 Day
- No hands off bars
- AVCC 2021 Nationals
- Racing this Week
- Race Report
Ian Morton
Race Fees
The $10 Race Fee will resume from the 18th July for the Race at Dalton.
Could members please try to bring the exact amount so we don’t have to be handling change.
Gunning 2 Day
The Race Committee is still looking for more volunteers for the Gunning 2 Day event (17/18 October).
If you are able to assist, can you please contact the Race Committee (race.committee@actvets.cc).
No hands off bars
The club races under the rules specified by the Australian Veterans Cycling Council (http://ausvetcycling.com/html/rules.html). Please note the following racing rule:
“Dangerous riding, including the practice of saluting by removing one or both hands off the bars at a finish, will not be tolerated and the referee shall discipline any rider whom he/she deems to be guilty of this practice, or any other act that endangers other riders or road users.”
Any rider finishing without both hands on the bars will be disqualified.
Ian McVay
Race Committee
AVCC 2021 Nationals
RACING THIS WEEK:
Saturday, 11th July: Stromlo Forest Park Graded Criterium
Note: Racing is still free this weekend.
Where: Stromlo Forest Park Criterium track
When: 1:30 pm.
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number
Race Description:
E/F/G: 1.30am 30 mins 1 lap
C/D: 2.10am 40 mins 1 lap
A/B: 3.00am 50 mins 1 lap
Race Director: Nathan Spillane Contact: Email: nwspillane70@gmail.com Ph 0417 661 593
Marshals: Tim Brown
Framework for “Return to Play in a COVID-safe Environment”
This Framework details how cycling events will be delivered by the ACT Veterans Cycling Club to meet the recommendations of Canberra’s Recovery Plan. From 19 June 2020, Stage 2.2 allows for groups of no more than 100 participants. Refer to the ACT Government guidelines at http://www.covid19.act.gov.au.
Stage 2.2 & 3 Arrangements
- On the day of the event, the race Director will be responsible for ensuring that participants follow these guidelines. Where a participant fails to comply they will be asked to leave the event.
- Any rider who is feeling unwell should not participate. If a rider experiences symptoms such as fever, cough, headache, sore throat, and tiredness, they should stay at home. Consult a doctor if symptoms persist. Coronavirus (COVID-19) Symptom Checker is available at https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/symptom-checker/tool/basic-details.
- Riders with higher risks from Covid19 are advised not to participate:
- People aged 70 years and over;
- People aged 65 years and over with chronic medical conditions;
- People with compromised immune systems; and
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over the age of 50 with one or more chronic medical conditions.
- Race Officials will maintain 1.5m separation and hygiene standards during event setup, running and shutdown. When handling equipment such as signs and radios, Officials are to maintain hygiene by cleaning, wearing gloves and/or regular hand cleaning.
- The Club will organise first aid at each event provided by either a professional organisation or by a Club member with a current first aid certificate.
- Riders and spectators are to maintain a distance of 1.5m from other participants while at the event.
- Hand hygiene is imperative and hand sanitiser will be available at the event.
- No physical contact. Participants are to refrain from shaking hands, pats on the back, etc.
- Post-race refreshments will be provided. Members should bring their own coffee mug.
- If any rider feels unwell in the two weeks following the race, they must advise the Race Committee who will follow up with health authorities. The Rider Management System is used to record event attendees and has their contact details.
Thanks,
ACTVets Committee
RACE REPORT:
Old Federal Highway, Tulip Farm, Handicap – 4th July
More than 60 riders lined up on Saturday, the fourth of July, to again celebrate the return of Vets road racing in what turned out to be a gripping handicap event.
At the chequered flag, the top 5 riders finished within 6 seconds of each other with A graders taking the top three spots and C grade claiming fourth and fifth.
The C grade bunch put in a huge effort over three testing laps of the Old Federal Highway and were only caught near the line by the fast-finishing A graders.
Felipe Lopes Reis flew the flag for D grade finishing in 8th position.
When it was all said and done, Ben Morrison (A2) claimed the handicap victory in a time of 1 hour 12 minutes and 18 seconds. Ben was just ahead of Steve Crispin (A1) who was followed by Tristian Dimmock (A1).
C graders Ben Healy and Peter Balint finished in fourth and fifth.
The race began under clear skies, but with an extremely chilly wind, as 61 riders set off to battle each other and Washing Machine Hill. On the start line there appeared to be lots of happy faces and chatter as people got back into the routine of racing as COVID-19 restrictions are eased.
The course was three laps from the Gravel Pit to the Tulip Farm and back again for a total of 45 kilometres.
Starting at the 42 minute mark, F Grade’s Michael Spoljaric put in a solid effort over 2 laps and then called it quits with words to the effect of “that was fun, but that is enough“.
Nine E graders rolled off the line at the 32 minute mark and it was Rosemary Robinson who crossed the line as the fastest E grader, just ahead of Linda Stals. Howard Moffat was not far behind in 38th position. Rosemary’s time was 1.44.31 and she finished 33rd overall.
In D grade, Felipe Lopes Reis grabbed a top 10 finish with a time of 1.27.54. Fellow D-grader Alain Arbaut showed his French flair to finish 15th. Darren Garnon finished 18th with a time of 1.29.14. And Nick Boylan was not far away in 24th position.
A very healthy peloton of 15 C grade riders rolled off the start line at the 14 minute mark and worked together superbly. The C grade bunch was there at the pointy end and claimed four of the top ten spots and 10 of the top 20 spots.
Ben Healy led the way for C grade with fourth position and a time of 1.23.22, closely followed by Peter Balint and then Grant Shaw in ninth position, and Brian Peak who finished 10th.
For B grade it looked to be a hard day at the office. Starting 3 minutes ahead of the A2 riders, Luke Bewley crossed the line in 17th position, ahead of Rowan Walker who finished in 20th position and Bruce Goodspeed who came in 26th. First time rider Iain Addinell made a very solid debut finishing in 35th position. Another new rider, David Garner, crossed the finish line looking strong.
An impressive 16 A graders were at the start line with 9 A2 riders rolling away 3 minutes before the group of 6 A1 riders.
A2 rider Ben Morrison was first over the line with a time of 1.12.18. Fellow-A2 rider Mark Terracini finished in 22nd position and Brendan Byatt, in the light blue colours of Squadra, finished in 23rd position with a time of 1.15.12.
A1 rider Steve Crispin had the fastest time for the day 1.09.19 and missed out on a handicap win by a whisker. Fellow A1 rider Tristian Dimmock finished third. Rob McLachlan celebrated his return to Vets racing finishing 6th.
It was an incident free race, and a huge thanks to handicapper Rob Langridge who engineered a close finish. First aider Simon Whitehead as always keep a vigilant eye and thankfully was not needed.
In cold conditions, marshal David Gunther did a great job at the Tulip Farm turn and Tony Sheehan was the other turn marshal and handled the finishing chute as well, with assistance from Kirsti McVay. Thanks to Kevin Wells as lead driver and Bruce Goodfellow as the following driver.
As always Graham Hendrie did an incredible job arriving early with the van, registering riders, working the stop watches and calculating the results. Ian Morton put out and retrieved the road signs which was invaluable. A team effort delivered a fine afternoon of racing … and our thoughts go out to riders, family and friends in Victoria as they go back into COVID lockdown.
Clinton Porteous,
Race Director
