Hello Masters,
We’ve had a few technical problems with The Bleat. It can happen that some ISPs blacklist the SportsTG email domain as spam. This occurred last week for OptusNet users. If you don’t receive the Bleat, you can always check the website for a copy at https://capitalregionmasterscyclingclub.org.au/category/the-bleat/.
The image server is also not currently available so pictures can’t be displayed.
In the Bleat this week;
• Web Site Change
• From the Desk of the President
• From the Desk of the Handicapper
• From the Race Committee
• Racing this Week
• Race Reports
Ian Morton
thebleat@actvets.cc
Web Site Change
The cycling club has changed it’s name to the Capital Region Masters Cycling Club
You can find the new website at capitalregionmasterscyclingclub.org.au
RMS calendar is still at https://rms.actvets.cc/calendar
or https://rms.actvets.cc/index for results
Watch up for updated URLs for the RMS soon
From the Desk of the President
Committee Changes
Members,
A number of the current Committee members have indicated they will be stepping down at the next AGM in February.
I would encourage all Club Members to concider nominating for a position on the Committee to ensure the club can continue to function and provide great racing for all members. Please let me know if you are interested.
Seymour Savell-Boss
ACT Vets Cycling Club President.
From the Desk of the Handicapper
This week’s promotions
Heath Chester B to A (Permanent)
Jeremy Schieb B to A
Tom Stewart-Moore C to B
Dale Dummett E to D
CRMs out and about
Well done to Peta Brill and Vanessa Judge, who were 2nd and 3rd, respectively, in the Bowral Classic women’s division 2 criterium over the weekend.
Rob Langridge
Handicapper
From the Race Committee
Late Entries
When racing resumes in January, we will not be accepting late entries.
This is to ensure that all riders have re-registered and are fully financial so that all participants are covered by the Club’s Insurance.
Race Committee
race.committe@actvets.cc
RACING THIS WEEK:
Tuesday, 14th December: Stromlo Criterium
Note: Pre-registration required by 14 Dec 2021 3:50 pm.
Any requests for Grade changes should be sorted out with the Handicapper prior to registration.
Where: Stromlo Forest Park
Race Description:
Christmas Wheel race Qualifiers
E/F/G 5:50 25 m 2 laps
A/C 6:20 A 30m 2, C 25m 2
B/D 6:50 B 30m 2, D 25m 2
$50 prize money for the winner of each grade
Wheel Race Final
1st 5 riders of each grade from qualifying races – 7:35 – 4 laps with each grade handicapped
$50 prize money for the winner of the final
Race Director: Dale Kleeman Contact: Email: dalek011@gmail.com Ph 0438 516 382
Marshals:Daniel Crocker
Wednesday, 15th December: Track Racing
The Program for Wednesday is;
5.30pm – 6.00pm: Warm-up and free practice;
6.00pm – 6.20pm: 8-lap graded scratch race;
6.20pm – 6.40pm: Christmas Wheel Race (6-lap handicap).
This track session will be the last for 2021. There will be drinks and nibbles at the conclusion of the wheel race – all welcome. Track racing will resume early January in the new year.
IMPORTANT NOTICE – NARRABUNDAH TRACK RACING – CHANGE OF RACE DAY
The track group has an option to change the race session from Wednesday evening to Thursday evening for the new year. The group has favoured this change for several years but could not previously implement it, as the Thursday evening track booking was held by another cycling club.
In general, Thursday evening is preferred, as it would allow a rest day between the Tuesday crits and the track meeting. If any club member has a strong preference for either evening, please email your comments to gon@netspeed.com.au before 20 Dec 2021. If your happy with either evening, we don’t need further input. After we have reviewed member comments, a final decision will be made by Graeme O’Neill and Phil Coulton in time for the near year race program. This will commence on either 5 or 6 January 2022.
Sunday, 19th December: Cotter Reserve Time Trial
Reminder: All riders must pre-register on the ACT Vets website (https://rms.actvets.cc/calendar) by 18/12/2021 6:00 PM prior to the race. There is no registration on the day.
Any requests for Grade changes should be sorted out with the Handicapper prior to registration.
Where: Van will park at the Cotter Reserve just south of the smaller bridge over the Cotter river.
When: 9:00 am.
Race Description:
Free event for XMas
Cotter Reserve to Mt. McDonald. Start just south of the smaller bridge over the Cotter River. Head east on Cotter Rd and turn left onto Brindabella Rd. Climb to the last rise opposite the entry to Cotter pines.
Race Director: Michael Golding Contact: Email: magolding2010@gmail.com Ph 0402 011 986
Marshals: Simon Priest, Darren Blackhurst ETC, Van driver – Matt Hinchcliffe
RACE REPORTS:
SFP Criterium – 7th December
The first race of the evening saw E & F grades go out in a gentle breeze.
E Grade began with a Rosemary Robinson & Paul McKay trying some early attacks, only to be drawn back in by the bunch fairly quickly. That was about it for hostilities until the sprint, with Dale Dummett finishing ahead of Geoff Ellacott and Cat Riley in third.
F grade began the race with a steady pace, but then began heating things up at the 5 to go mark. Michelle Hodgetts turned out to be the strongest finisher a took the win ahead of Robert Miller and Mike Hayes in third.
A Grade began with James Meadley and Iain Johnstone trying some early attacks, however without much wind the pack managed to close the gaps quite easily. Mid way into the race saw Jeremy Gillman-Wells get out to a promising 150m break, however again the pack reeled him in. Shortly after Matt Rizzuto and James Meadley made a strong combined effort, however James Meadley returned to the pack. At the 10 minutes to go mark the pack were all together and just as it looked as though everyone was resigned to a sprint finish Tristan Dimmock gave it one last go, but again was reined in. So it came to a drag race down the final straight with Jeremy Gillman-Wells pulling ahead of Kristopher McCreath and Matt Rizzuto in third place.
C grade began with an instant attack from Dominic Romano, only to be quickly pulled back by the pack. No to be perturbed the Dominator launched several more attempts, before Damian Copeland, Simon Porombka and Stephen Terracini also gave it a go, only to suffer the same fate. At the halfway point the pack split momentarily and just as they re-joined the Dominator again launched an attack, only to be again pulled back by the bunch. Tom Stewart-Moore launched one final attempt to break away, but the bunch were keen for a sprint finish, so they entered the final lap all together with Graham Tanton taking the win ahead of Tom Stewart-Moore and Dominic Romano.
Last up was B and D grades with the gentle breeze conditions holding out.
B grade got off to a gentle start and stayed that way until the 10 minute mark when few attacks were attempted. With the attacks proving unsuccessful, the bunch underwent a brief mid race acceleration, almost getting into single file for a moment, but stayed together for a sprint finish with Heath Chester taking the win ahead of Jeremy Schieb and Todd Sowter in third.
D grade got off to a very gentle start and had to deal with a few kangaroos coming down for an evening meal. The pace warmed up about midway with the bunch almost splitting just as even more kangaroos decided to cross the track. Luckily Conan Liu decided to make a quick switch from photographic duties to kangaroo herder to keep everyone safe. The race finished with Michael Larkin attempting a long distance sprint, only to be reined in by Craig Kentwell who took the win, with Alison Hale finishing third.
Tony Rowley
Track Racing – 8st December
The fifth track racing session for the 2021-22 season ran on Wednesday 8 December. The weather looked very threatening in the afternoon. However, as no rain had fallen by 4pm, it was decided to take a leap of faith and run the session. Fortunately, this proved to be a good decision, as the weather steadily improved over the racing session, eventually providing clear patches of sky and some sunlight. There was initially a brisk headwind in the back straight. This moderated over the session. Attendance was good in the circumstances, with 13 riders participating, 7 in A grade and 6 in B grade.
The 8-lap A grade scratch race started with Craig Kentwell leading out and gradually ramping up the pace to a good tempo over the first two laps. Turns on the front by Tony Beasley, Kerry Knowler and Marc Vroomans followed. On lap 5, Marc Vroomans attacked off the front. However, the attack was quickly shut down by a rapid reaction and pursuit from Kerry Knowler. The pack consolidated as the bell lap approached and eventually rounded into the bell lap with riders splayed up the high banking jockeying for a good position for attacking. The bell unleashed a furious pursuit with Marc Vroomans leading out. Steve Jones, Rowan McMurray and Tony Beasley were soon hitting top speed, motoring around the lead rider as the finish lap progressed. Steve Jones took the win from Rowan McMurray. Tony Beasley had a great ride to snaffle third place and the lead position for A2 grade riders.
The B Grade scratch race began with fairly orderly turns over the first six laps by Colin Calderwood, Bruce Griffin, Alison Hale, Ken Birch, Phil Coulton and Graeme O’Neill. The pace was seesawing until the penultimate lap when the final attack began. Alison Hale and Ken Birch led out, putting the pack under extreme pressure and dropping back markers. Alison managed to hold a great pace for the final two laps to take the win. Ken took a close second with Colin Calderwood holding out for third placing.
The next events were 2-lap, paired, match races. The handicapper tried to pair riders with near equal sprint ability, though this was never quite assured. Most riders rode tactically for 1 to 1.3 laps before launching into the sprint. However, Rowan Mc Murray went early on the first lap. This proved a winning strategy for Rowan, who is well known as an endurance athlete. The other match races were interesting in their own unique way. Match race winners were Tony Beasley, Rowan McMurray, Steve Jones, Ken Birch, Alison Hale and Graeme O’Neill.
The final event for the evening was, as usual, an Italian Pursuit. There were a few last-minute changes in team selection and unfortunately these ultimately had a negative effect on Team 1. Both teams made good starts and rode in disciplined fashion, with no major hiccups. Team 2 had a strong B grade contingent and these riders made their presence known by early pace, gradually establishing a quarter lap lead which Team 2 held through the remaining race. For the final two laps, Team 1’s anchors, Kerry Knowler and Steve Jones had no prospect of a win, though they both rode as aggressively as they could. Congratulation to Team 2 for an emphatic win.
Major place getters were as follows:
8-Lap Scratch: (A1 Grade) Steve Jones, Rowan McMurray, Marc Vroomans. (A2 Grade) Tony Beasley James Newhouse, Craig Kentwell. (B Grade) Alison Hale, Ken Birch, Colin Calderwood.
2-Lap Match Race Winners: (A Grade) Tony Beasley, Rowan McMurray, Steve Jones. (B Grade) Ken Birch, Alison Hale and Graeme O’Neill.
Combined Italian Pursuit: Winner Team 2 (Marc Vroomans, Craig Kentwell, Alison Hale, Phil Coulton, Tony Beasley, Rowan McMurray).
Season Point Score Update:
Alison Hale (100), Tony Beasley (90), Ken Birch (80), Craig Kentwell (77), James Newhouse (76), Michael Langdon (70), Phil Coulton (64), John Paul De Sousa (61), Steve Jones (61), Rowan McMurray (53), Bruce Griffin (52), Graeme O’Neill (52), Kerry Knowler (31), Karen Clutson (30), Warwick Wilson (30), Marc Vroomans (30).
Graeme O’Neill
