Masters,
In this week’s Bleat;
• From the Desk of the President
• 2022 Annual General Meeting
• From the Race Committee
• From the Desk of the Handicapper
• Racing this Week
• Race Reports
Ian Morton
thebleat@actvets.cc
From the Desk of the President
New Cycling Gear
Following a vote of the members, the following jersey had been selected as the new Club Jersey. Purchasing arrangements will be advised shortly;
Seymour Savell-Boss
Capital Region Masters Cycling Club President.
2022 Annual General Meeting – Held in a COVID Safe Environment
The AGM for 2022 will be held on Monday 14th February 2022 at 7:00pm in the Loft Meeting Room at the Raiders Club Weston.
Those attending the AGM will be required to wear a mask.
NOTE: Any Apologies should be advised to the secretary.
A ZOOM meeting will be available for anyone who can’t attend in person.
Thinking of Joining the Committee
You’d be very welcome. Talk to a current committee member to find out more and submit a nomination form 7 days prior to the AGM on the 14th February 2022.
The following positions are being vacated this year so we are looking for members to step in and fill these roles;
– President
– Vice-President
– Treasurer/Membership
– Secretary.
New office holders will be supported by experienced members of the Committee.
Thanks to those who have already nominated for Committee positions.
Russell Marston
Secretary Capital Region Masters Cycling Club
secretary@actvets.cc
From the Race Committee
It is important to ensure all members who race are properly registered so that we can enure that we have Insurance coverage. Could all members who intend to race please ensure they are fully registered well in advance and ensure they have entered the online race enrolement in advance of the cutoff.
From the Desk of the Handicapper
Promotions
Michael Davis – B to A
Jason Irwin – B to A
Rob Langridge
Handicapper
RACING THIS WEEK:
Tuesday, 1st February: Stromlo Criterium
Note: Pre-registration required by 1 Feb 2022 3:50 pm.
Any requests for Grade changes should be sorted out with the Handicapper prior to registration.
No late entries accepted.
Where: Stromlo Forest Park
Race Description:
A/C 5:50 A 45m+2, C 40m+2
B/D 6:40 B 45m+2, D 40m+2
E/FG 7:15 30 min + 2 laps
Race Director: Ed Pellegrino Contact: Email: edpellegrino@gmail.com Ph 0419 265 192
Marshals: James Tonkin
Thursday, 3rd February: Track Racing
The Program for Thursday is;
5.30pm – 6.00pm: Warm-up and free practice;
6.00pm – 6.20pm: 10-lap graded scratch race;
6.20pm – 7.00pm: 1-lap flying start time trial;
7.00pm – 7.20pm: Italian pursuit.
Sunday, 6th February: No Scheduled Road Race
RACE REPORTS:
SFP Criterium – 25th January
Despite the early threat of rain, near perfect conditions met the pre-Australia Day criterium race as Stromlo. 83 riders registered across all the grades.
A Grade – 16 riders raced for the 45 mins plus 2 laps race. The pace was high from the start with Marc Harris and Gerard Tiffen launching a first lap attack. The duo worked well together and gained a quarter of a lap on the field which held for the first 15 mins of race. However, they could not quite get out of site and Nathan Spillane and Conan Liu combined with some strong efforts to close the gap. A brief truce was called within the bunch which stay together until a furry of attacks started with a little over 20 mins left to race. Small groups caused temporary splits but were unable to stay away until Matt Rizzuto found his way clear of the bunch. After a few laps Matt was brought back and straight away Gerrard Tiffen tried hard to solo off the front. The bunch was not letting GT go and the race came together again. With 15 mins to go Matt Rizzuto created a decisive gap and, despite the hard chasing of Mark Harris and Nathan Spillane, held the field off to the end. Matt soloed to an impressive win with Marc Vroomans and Gerard Tiffen fighting it out in a close sprint for the podium places.
B Grade – 21 riders raced for 45 mins plus two laps race. Darren Blackhurst was aggressive early with several strong surges trying for force a gap. This was followed by Michael Foulds and Ed Pellegrino taking turns to keep the pressure on with strong turns. A succession of attacked occurred with newcomer Michael Davies and Todd Sowter combining to establish a threatening gap on the chasing group. Sensing the danger, Michael Langdon took responsibility for the chase and quickly reduced the distance to the leaders. There were further efforts including another strong attempt by Michael Langdon with 6 mins left to race. In the final laps, Darren Blackhurst made a huge effort before the bunch came together for the bunch sprint. In the end, Michael Davies won with a display of strength followed closely by in-form Jason Irwin and Todd Sowter.
C Grade – 23 riders raced for 40 mins plus 2 laps. Dominic Romano (aka the Dominator) surprised the bunch with a second lap attack. He was reeled in by an attentive bunch but was soon on the attack again until Ian Preston and John Stokman combined with some strong efforts on the front to bring the race back together. A little over half way through the race, Mark Taylor slipped off the front and quickly created a dangerous gap. Mark was looking strong for several laps until he reeled back in. David Buckley sensed his chance with a solo effort however with less than 15 minutes to go the bunch was not letting him get far. The Dominator had recovered from his earlier efforts and was again animating the race. His attack was followed by strong efforts by Karl Heys and Vanessa Judge who combined to break away. In the end, a bunch sprint decided the race.
[Editor’s Note: There is some uncertainty about the placings] John Stokman and Dale Kleeman were in the top three finishers.
D Grade – 16 riders raced for 40 mins plus 2 laps. Steven Harrison kept the pace high early by spending the first 4 laps on the front. The bunch stayed together with Steven Harrison continuing to drive the pace with Alex Sommariva taking turns. After the half way mark, Liz Lowe and Tony Sheehan combined with a strong turn to get away. The chasing bunch was very attentive and did not let them get too far. After a short lull, the in-form Liz Rowe was off the front again with Alex Sommariva in support. The bunch came together for the final laps with Kevin Newhouse winning the sprint ahead of a fast finishing Liz Lowe and Tony Sheehan.
E/F/G Grade – 8 riders from across the E/F/G grades combined for 30 mins plus two laps. The pace was strong from the start with the bunch strung out for the first 10 minutes. Cat Riley and Rosemary Robinson turned up the pace and opened a healthy gap on the remaining bunch. This caused the race to split into 4 groups with everyone chasing hard to bring it back together. Bob Miller and Michael Spoljaric kept a solid pace to keep their groups in sight of the leading pair. With 10 minutes left to race, Cat Riley opened up a gap on Rosemary Robinson who rejoined by the chasing bunch. With 5 minutes to go Cat continued a strong pace and was half a lap clear of her chasers. She continued this pace to pull away even further for a convincing win for E grade ahead of Rosemary Robinson, Mick Donaldson and Howard Moffatt. Bob Miller was the first home for F grade leading Ross Heazlewood and Adrian Breen. Michael Spoljaric was the winner for G Grade.
Thanks to all for a good night of racing. In particular, thank you to Mark Vardy to taking on the Marshal duties at short notice, Dougal Torrance for his advice and assistance and Simon Whitehead for First Aid support.
Damian Copeland
Track Racing – 27th January
The eighth track racing session for the 2021-22 seasonran on Thursday 27 January. This was the first really hot track day this year. The wind was light but variable. Initially there was a head wind in the front straight. Over the race session, it swung 180 degrees, to a head wind in the back straight. Fifteen riders participated, 8 in A grade and 7 in B grade.
The 8-lap A grade scratch race started with Steve Jonesleading out at a comfortable pace. John Paul DeSousa rolled to the lead on lap 2 and soon had the pack travelling at a good tempo. James Newhouse, Tony Beasley and Ben Davis held tempo for the next 3 turns. When Michael Langdon rolled onto the front on lap 6, he immediately attacked. Craig Kentwell, Wayne Benham and Steve Jones took up the pursuit and the pack began to string out. By the bell lap, Michael Langdon was leading a group out front of the pack. From this group Michael held out for the win, followed by Steve Jones and Wayne Benham in that order. Craig Kentwell, at fifth place, led in the A2 group.
The B Grade scratch race was led out by Ken Birch at a good pace. Alison Hale soon took over and raised the pace a notch, Karen Clutson and Greame O’Neill took the next turns holding the pace steady. The pace cranked up a further notch when Kerry Knowler and Lindy Hou took their tandem to the front on lap 7. The big accelerations started towards the end of this lap. The bell lap was a flat out grind with the tandem proving unbeatable. Alison Haleand Karen Clutson rode well to take the minor places in that order.
A 4-lap handicap was held after the scratch races. This race was all-in with a mixed field of 14 A and B grade riders. The pace was solid, with the limit rider being swamped within 2 laps. Michael Langdon rode superbly from the scratch mark to pass everyone for a win. The following positions were, in order, James Newhouse, Craig Kentwell, Tony Beasley and Alison Hale. It was a good, tough contest.
The next events were graded points races. These races had a small twist, with the sprints being unevenlydistributed over the race laps. Steve Jones capitalised on this in the A grade event, catching the pack napping for the third sprint and gaining a sufficient margin to give him the third and fourth sprints and 19 points for the win. Places in A grade went to John Paul De Sousa (15) and Wayne Benham (13). Craig Kentwell topped the A2 field with 14 points.
The B grade points race was most notable for a fierce contest between Alison Hale and Kerry Knowler / Lindy Hou on the tandem. The three sprints were nearly identical, with the tandem leading out at a high speed andAlison in tow. Alison would accelerate around the tandem in the final bend. Just when she seemed likely to take the sprint, the tandem would surge and hold a marginal lead to the line. It was great racing! The final points wash up was Kerry / Lindy (20), Alison (16) and Peter Brooks (12). Peter is a new track rider who is rapidly getting the hang of things.
The final event for the evening was, as usual, an Italian Pursuit. This event went spectacularly wrong for Team 2, giving Team 1 an easy win. Team 2’s main problem was very poor ordering of riders. Team 2’s first rider, Karen Clutson, did her job and took off like a scalded cat, with only Wayne Benham in tow. Ben Davis, who should have ridden up the order (possibly at first out), was left struggling against the wind for 3 laps. Naturally, this gave Team 1 an unbeatable advantage, which they capitalised on by good team discipline. Fortunately, everyone took the disaster with good humour – another lesson learned.
Major place getters were as follows:
8-Lap Scratch: (A1 Grade) Michael Langdon, Steve Jones, Wayne Benham. (A2 Grade) Craig Kentwell, Tony Beasley, James Newhouse. (B Grade) Kerry Knowler /Lindy Hou tandem, Alison Hale, Karen Clutson.
4-Lap Handicap: Michael Langdon, James Newhouse, Craig Kentwell.
Points Race: (A1 Grade) Steve Jones (19), John Paul De Sousa (15), Wayne Benham (13). (A2 Grade) Craig Kentwell (15), Tony Beasley (9), James Newhouse (5). (B Grade) Kerry Knowler / Lindy Hou tandem (20), Alison Hale (16), Peter Brooks (12).
Combined Italian Pursuit: Winner Team 1 (Michael Langdon, Craig Kentwell, Alison Hale, Peter Brooks, Tony Beasley).
Season Point Score Update:
Alison Hale (159), Tony Beasley (148), James Newhouse(121), Ken Birch (114), Craig Kentwell (111), Michael Langdon (110), John Paul De Sousa (99), Steve Jones (93), Graeme O’Neill (74), Bruce Griffin (70), Phil Coulton(64), Warwick Wilson (62), Kerry Knowler (62), Rowan McMurray (53), Karen Clutson (43), Wayne Benham (38).
Graeme O’Neill
Capital Region Masters Cycling Club 