ACT Veterans Weekly Bleat, Monday 26th November, 2018

Hello Vets,

In this week’s Bleat;

• Stromlo Park Redevelopment Plan
• Racing this Week
• Race Reports

Please send me your contributions at: TheBleat@actvets.cc

Ian Morton

Stromlo Park Redevelopment Plan

Cycling ACT have updated their web site with an item on the Stromlo redevelopment http://act.cycling.org.au/Road/News/update-act-cycling-infrastructure-development. This has a map showing the redevelopment plan.

It looks like the truncation of the crit track is still firmly part of their plans.

Ian McVay
Vice President
ACT Veterans Cycling Club

RACING THIS WEEK:

Tuesday, 27th November: Stromlo Criterium

Where: Stromlo Forest Park
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number.
Race Description:
B/D @5:50 B 40m+2, D 35m+2
E/F/G @6:35 28 min + 2 laps
A/C @7:10 A 40m+2, C 35m+2

Race Director:  Michael David Brice Contact: Email: mango1119@gmail.com    Ph  0433887013

Marshals: John Wilson

Wednesday, 28th November: Track Racing

The Program for Wednesday is as follows;
5.30pm – 6.00pm: Warm-up and free practice;
6.00pm – 6.40pm: 200m Fly TT;
6.40pm – 7.00pm: 10-lap Snowball;
7.00pm – 7.20pm: Italian Pursuit.

Sunday, 2nd December: Old Federal Highway Graded Scratch

Where: Turn left off new Federal Hwy (dual carriageway) after Bywong Rd. The intersection is signposted to Gundaroo and approx 9 km after Sutton Rd overpass. Park in gravel pit on corner of next intersection about 100 m in from highway.
When: 9:00 am.
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number.
Race Description:
Gravel Pit to the Tulip Farm
ABCD 3 laps
EFG 2 laps

Race Director: Kim Malcolm Contact: Email: d.kimmalcolm@icloud.com    Ph  0418643623

Marshals: Jonathan Chowns, James Curran, Graham Tanton, Craig Tozer, Todd Sowter

Race directors for 2019

I am looking for race directors for next year’s races. Please have a look at the race calendar in RMS and let me know if you are interested in directing any particular races. You do not need to have previously directed a race but should have experience racing and marshalling with the club. Directing is not an arduous undertaking, there are detailed instructions and club members are on hand to help.

Upcoming Marshal Roster

Thank you to those who have already volunteered to help. Nominees, in in blue have been selected based on results from the previous race season and the period since they last helped at a race. Nominees are requested to advise their availability/unavailability to the race committee (race.committee@actvets.cc) as soon as possible.

Summer series crit races are held at Stromlo Forest Park on Tuesday evenings and road races are held on Sunday mornings.

* denotes ETC required for ACT races.

Ian McVay
Race Committee

RACE REPORTS:

Stromlo Criterium – 20th November

It was a lovely evening of crit racing, with no accidents, thanks to the care and skill of all riders.

E, F and G were first off. E grade had a solid race which included 4 of our 7 female riders on the night. Alison Hale had a particularly strong race with a solo breakaway, but the bunch came together for the sprint won by David Gillies from Brendan Chadwick with Alison third. The F grade bunch largely kept together, sportingly sharing the work, with Chris Copeland winning the sprint from Lee-anne Tennant and Mike Hayes. The G grade race was a intriguing battle between Bernie and Bruce, as Christophe reports below.

A and C were the next to set off. I should have allowed more space behind A before sending off C, so sorry for that mistake. I presumed that A grade would quickly clear out, as they usually do, but A grade were rather slow for the first 15 minutes. Quon riders took turns to initiate small breakaways, which were chased down in stop-start fashion. C grade with a large bunch of 22 and more riders looking to work, were faster than A grade at times, and it looked like the entire C grade bunch may catch A grade. A breakaway from C grade did catch A grade for a short period, but did the right thing, avoiding drafting by deliberately riding wide until A grade accelerated. Many thanks for that. There was no need to resort to flags to separate the bunches because eventually a fast A grade breakaway of four formed, with the remaining A grade bunch quickening behind. The breakaway four worked well together for several laps, and once satisfied of a winning lead started attacking each other. Ben Morrison was too fast at the end, winning from Rob McLachlan and Gerard Tiffen.

Meanwhile, C grade largely rode together at an impressive fast pace through the race, until Frank Zeller strongly attacked a tiring bunch with 4 laps to go and stayed away for the best win of the night. Perhaps he should ride B grade next week. Luke Healey sprinted for second ahead of Simon Porombka.

Christophe then kindly took over referee duties for the B/D race, with the assistance of Seymour who was taking video for our Facebook page, enabling me to ride my first crit of the season. There were several attempted breakaways in B, none of which lasted more than a couple of laps before the power of the bunch closed things down. Ben McDuff won a well-timed strong sprint from Heath Chester and Jason Parkes. I did not see what happened in D, but RMS indicates Frank O’Sullivan won from Kevin Newhouse and Simon Milnes.

As Christophe’s report makes plain, refereeing and marshalling crits can be very enjoyable, particularly when things go smoothly as they usually do. You get a great view of all the racing in all grades, and an appreciation of the diversity and sporting efforts of our club members. Many thanks to: Christophe; our fabulous first aid officer Simon who besides being ready for accidents helps judge the sprints; Seymour for his impromptu assistance; and to Phil Coulton. Thanks again to all riders for racing fairly and carefully.

Roger Northcote

Christophe’s Marshal Report

On a perfect evening weather wise, we had close to 100 riders competing in the 7 different grades. The races went all safely, with no noticeable issues, the only “incident” was a black snake spotted early on the track but “Mr X” managed to push it into the kids area. Job well done indeed as no snakes or kids for that matter disrupted the races after that.

The races went all fairly smoothly. The lack of wind meant that very few riders were dropped in each grades, but the fair conditions didn’t stop numerous breakaways to form in each grades. All the races were action packed with attacks, chase, slow down “you chase, na you chase, na you chase”… type of things. If you turned up you are a winner and as usual check detailed results on the ACT Vets website.

For me the stand out race last night was G grade. There was 2 starters in G. And, Bernie took a flyer from the gun and gave a fair push in the first 4 laps trying to keep F grade in his sight. So much so that he was on target to lap Bruce by the end of the race. But Bruce had taken a different approach to his race, a more measured one, he kept pushing and started to catch Bernie. With a couple of laps left both riders were within 50m of each other. It looked like we would get a close finish. Bernie had kept something in reserve though and put in a last couple of laps efforts to stay away from the chasing Bruce. It was a very solid effort from both competitors. Something for all of us to admire and respect.

This and all the other grades racing made my day.

ciao

Christophe Barberet

Track Racing – 21st November

Wednesday 21 November was another unpromising day, weather wise. However, for the second time this season, the evening conditions improved to provide excellent weather for racing. The initially unpromising weather may have put riders off, as the attendance was low. There were 11 riders with only 4 from A grade and the remainder B grade. Despite this, it was an enjoyable evening’s racing.

The 8-lap scratch race saw a combined field of A and B grade riders deliver an exciting and competitive event. B grade had a three-quarter lap start to make it difficult for the pursuing A grade bunch. The A grade bunch failed to work together, in pursuit. Initially, Ed Garnett attacked from the pursuing bunch on lap 2 and one lap later Dougal Torrance attacked from the pursuing group. The B grade bunch remained largely intact and kept up a good pace out front. It soon became clear that only Dougal Torrance and Michael Langdon could catch the lead bunch. The catch came just prior to the bell lap but left Dougal and Michael in oxygen debt. As the bell lap approached Steve Hirsler attacked from the consolidated font runners. Dougal and Michael just managed to tuck on. After a half lap tow, Dougal and Michael recovered somewhat and accelerated around Steve for the final sprint. Dougal was in great form and timed his move to perfection. He crossed the line almost a bike length ahead of Michael Langdon. Ross Scutts rolled over Steve Hirsler in the final metres to grab third place.

The next event was a two lap, standing start, time trial. Most competitors were a little intimidated by this event as the second lap can be a challenge, particularly if you have over reached on the initial lap. Times were generally a little down on last year, possibly due to a headwind in the back straight. Michael Langdon put in the best time at 53.97 seconds. However, there were several other, very creditable performances. Ed Garnett and Dougal Torrance put in excellent times of 54.41 and 54.84 seconds respectively. Steve Hirsler put in a sensational B grade time of 56.44 seconds.

The track session closed with an all-in, Italian pursuit with 5 riders per team. The teams were a little unbalanced after a late substitution of one rider. This left Team 2 with a slightly stronger line up. Both teams made good starts. Team 2 soon opened a gap. The pressure of the chase eventually fell on Phil Anderson, Ed Garnett and Michael Langdon for team 1. They put in a fine effort. However, the Team 2 riders performed flawlessly and gave the pursuers no chance. The final margin was a decisive 5 metres. Congratulations to Team 2 for an unblemished team effort.

Firstly, a correction from last track session (14 Nov),
6-Lap Win & Out (B Grade): Steve Hirsler, Wayne Benham, Phil Anderson.

Major place getters for this session were as follows:
8-Lap Scratch: (A&B Grade): Dougal Torrance, Michael Langdon, Ross Scutts.
2-Lap SS TT: (A Grade): Michael Langdon (53.97s), Ed Garnett (54.41s), Dougal Torrance (54.84s).
(B Grade) Steve Hirsler (56.44s), Ross Scutts (60.39s), Phil Coulton (60.85s).
Combined Italian Pursuit: Winner Team 2 (Dougal Torrance, Tony Beasley, Craig Kentwell, Ross Scutts, Ken Birch).

Season Point Score Update:
Dougal Torrance (69), Michael Langdon (67), Ross Scutts (58), Steve Hirsler (49), Phil Anderson (48), Bruce Griffin (42), Craig Kentwell (41), Wayne Benham (37).

Graeme O’Neill