Hello Masters,
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
Dale Riley B to A
Craig Lindenmayer C to B
Craig O’Neall D to C
Colin Calderwood E to D
Robert Solomon F to E
Rob Langridge
Handicapper
From the Race Committee
Correction to Results
There was an error in RMS with the calculation of the age groups for women in the Club Championships, which had all three women in the same category (F3). As Terry had a milestone birthday this year she should have been in the next age group (F4) which means that Rosemary and Linda came 1st and 2nd respectively in F3.
Dangerous Overtaking
There have been a number of complaints from lower grades of a dangerous situation that arises when being overtaken by higher grades.
As shown in the below diagram, there is a tendency in some situations, particularly on corners, for the lead riders of the overtaking bunch, once they have passed the lower grade to move across onto the racing line of the lower grade.
The remaining members of the overtaking bunch then tend to follow the racing line that the leaders have taken, resulting in the lower grade being cut-off.
To avoid this situation, the Lead Riders of the overtaking bunch are requested to remain on the opposite side of the Track Centre Line until the whole bunch has had the opportunity to pass (even if this means sacrificing some tactical advantage).
Your assistance in following this practice will help make racing safer for all competitors.
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, 7th December: Stromlo Criterium
Note: Pre-registration required by 7 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:
E/F/G 5:50 28 min + 2 laps
A/C 6:25 A 42m+2, C 38m+2
B/D 7:15 B 42m+2, D 38m+2
Race Director: Tony Rowley Contact: Email: tony.j.rowley@gmail.com Ph 0421 453 062
Marshals:Vanessa Judge
Wednesday, 8th 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 – 7.00pm: 2-lap paired match races;
7.00pm – 7.20pm: Italian pursuit.
Sunday, 12th December
No scheduled race.
RACE REPORTS:
SFP Criterium – 30th November
A grade saw Gerard Tiffen and Tristan Dimmock attack early and hold a solid gap for most of the race. A late bridging attempt led by Mark Harris brought Matt Rizzutto and Stephen Blackburn to the front to form a group of 5. After doing a mountain of work, Gerard Tiffen was able to hold off a fast finishing Mark Harris for the win, with fellow breakaway companion Tristan Dimmock holding on for third.
B grade had an aggressive start, with Dale Riley and a fellow rider holding the bunch at half a lap for most of the race(??? I have Race number 300 written down but that’s clearly not right – does anyone know the name of this second rider who was part of the long breakaway in B. I think he was from QUON). Darren Blackhurst put in a number of attacks, but it was Chris Filitrault who managed to bridge across to the front two in the final few laps, and then soon after attack and hold a gap for the win. Daly Riley managed to hold on for second while Bruce Goodfellow sprinted home for third.
In C Grade Dominic Romano put in the expected attacks throughout the race, including some time of the front in the final few laps. Tom Stewart-Moore and visitor Sandford Beggs also had a few digs, but it ended up in a bunch sprint with Craig Lindemayer taking the win followed by Andrew Buick and Simon Porombka.
D grade largely stuck together as the wind started to pick up, with Anthony Dick winning the bunch sprint followed by Alex Sommariva and Anthony Dick.
Some attacks by Paul McKay saw E-grade split into two bunches, leading to some confusion in the dying laps with an early bell given – apologies to those forced to do a few extra sprints. Pat Rooke took the win followed by Colin Calderwood and Paul McKay.
F grade saw Robert Solomon take the win followed by Dennis Punniard and Robert Miller, with Bernard Crowe battling impending darkness and strong winds for another win in F grade.
Kieran Butler
Track Racing – 1st December
Wednesday 1 December saw the fourth track racing session for the 2021-22 season. Thunderstorms were predicted for the evening and threatening clouds gathered in the afternoon. However, the weather improved as the racing session approached, eventually providing fine, warm conditions for racing. There was a brisk headwind in the front straight, an unusual wind direction for the Bundadome. Attendance was satisfactory with 14 riders, 8 in A grade and 6 in B grade.
The 8-lap A grade scratch race started with Michael Langdon leading out at an easy pace. At half a lap Tony Beasley took over and raised the pace to a good tempo. Over the first 6 laps Michael Langdon, Tony Beasley, James Newhouse, John Paul De Sousa and Craig Kentwell took turns at the front, with the pace holding a good tempo. After Craig Kentwell’s lead out for laps 5 and 6, Steve Jones lifted the pace on Lap 7 and attacked hard on the final lap, with Craig and Kerry Knowler immediately taking up the pursuit. Steve held his pace for an emphatic win. Approaching the finish, John Paul De Sousa and Michael Langdon accelerated past Craig Kentwell and Kerrry Knowler to take second and third respectively.
The B Grade scratch race began with Phil Coulton putting in two laps on the front and holding a steady, tolerable pace. Bruce Griffin took over and raised the pace. Orderly turns by Ken Birch, Alison Hale, Graeme O’Neill and Pat Rooke followed. With two laps to go, the pace quickened and the pack began to string out. The final lap commenced with Ken Birch in the lead and the remaining pack quickly closing in. The final sprint saw Alison Hale riding strongly for the win with good efforts by Bruce Griffin and Ken Birch to take second and third placings in that order.
The next event was 2-lap, all-in handicap where 12 riders from A & B grades competed. Graeme O’Neill led out from limit. Phil Coulton put in a blistering start and overtook the limit rider in the first lap. By 1.5 laps, Phil was still holding a solid pace as three riders streamed past for a very fast finish. Tony Beasley put in a great effort to take a close win from James Newhouse and Alison Hale in that order.
The next events were graded snowball races. These are points races with multiple sprints (every 2 laps). The sprint points escalate as the races progress. The A grade race was 8 laps with 4 sprints and the B grade race was 6 laps with 3 sprints. Results in A grade were Steve Jones (12 pts), Michael Langdon (9 pts) and Rowan Mc Murray (7 pts). For B grade, the results were Alison Hale (11 pts), Bruce Griffin (6 pts), Phil Coulton and Pat Rooke (tied on 5 pts).
The final event for the evening was, as usual, an Italian Pursuit. There were some disingenuous groans from Team 1 when the team selections were announced. However, the handicapper held firm, knowing the difference between theory and practice in team strengths. The race confirmed this. Both teams rode in disciplined fashion, with no major hiccups. Phil Coulton and Bruce Griffin got Team 1 off to a handy start. Around mid-race Kerry Knowler took over the pacing for Team 1 and scorched around the track building an unbeatable lead. In the latter part of the race, John Paul De Sousa and Steve Jones did their best to recover the situation for Team 2. However, their rivals, Rowan McMurray and Michael Langdon would not give up any of Team 1’s hard earned lead. The result was a comfortable win to Team 1.
Major place getters were as follows:
8-Lap Scratch: (A1 Grade) Steve Jones, John Paul De Sousa, Michael Langdon. (A2 Grade) Kerry Knowler, Craig Kentwell, Tony Beasley. (B Grade) Alison Hale, Bruce Griffin, Ken Birch.
2-Lap Handicap: Tony Beasley, James Newhouse, Alison Hale.
Snowball Races: (A1 Grade) Steve Jones (12 pts), Michael Langdon (9 pts), Rowan Mc Murray (7 pts). (A2 Grade) Kerry Knowler (3 pts), Craig Kentwell (2 pts), Tony Beasley (1 pt). (B Grade) Alison Hale (11 pts), Bruce Griffin (6 pts), Phil Coulton & Pat Rooke (5 pts).
Combined Italian Pursuit: Winner Team 1 (Michael Langdon, Bruce Griffin, Alison Hale, Phil Coulton, Kerry Knowler, Tony Beasley, Rowan McMurray).
Season Point Score Update:
Alison Hale (80), Michael Langdon (70), Tony Beasley (70), Ken Birch (63), John Paul De Sousa (61), James Newhouse (61), Craig Kentwell (61), Phil Coulton (50), Steve Jones (43), Bruce Griffin (42), Graeme O’Neill (39), Rowan McMurray (34), Karen Clutson (30), Warwick Wilson (30), Ian Drayton (24).
Graeme O’Neill
