Former SKCC President Melinda Jacobson enjoying the action & getting a few pointers from her gorgeous daughter Freya.
Bright sunshine, clear blue skies and a slight breeze were the order of the day on Sunday, which was amazing after Saturday and the constant rain that threatened to bring Noah’s Ark back into port. There were big fields yet again and the ambulance drivers could read their book in peace as they were not required as everyone was on their best behaviour.
Men’s A Grade was another quality field but unlike previous weeks started off at a slower pace as the first break went out. This only lasted 3 laps before a second break went containing some of the most dangerous and potent riders.
One of the most loyal & hardest working domestiques, Tom Donald leads his breakaway team mate Charles “Chucky” Howlett from Search 2 Retain
The devastating breakaway was represented by all the major teams except Total Rush and Razor Ray Forbes and David “The Rower” Kelly set about to try and get it back. The break was gaining time on the field when it became a little too much for some of the riders as Sole Devotions only hope Willie Raisin-Shaw lost contact.
Dynamite David Loakes leads AIS sensation Belinda Goss(who has just signed to a Pro German team) in the chase to the break
The break now consisted of Adam Murchie, Stewart Morgan (Bike Bug), Duncan Smith & Alan Iacuone (O2 Networks), Tom Donald & Charles Howlett (Search 2 Retain), Ross Mueller and Canadian sensation Derek Ivey (Bike Force). With 15 minutes to go David Kelly (Total Rush) rode across solo and joined the break which was an amazing effort. The break worked brilliantly together and consistently increased the time gap. The Sole Devotion boys tried to bring it back but it only went out further until the unthinkable happened again and the field got lapped!!
There was still a smaller second breakaway up the road that included former lead out man turned breakaway specialist Andrew Siwka (O2 Networks). With 10 minutes left and the field pulled, all eyes were on the guys left out on the course.
The O2 boys raffling off who was going to win this week. This team is packed with class.
Coming into the bell lap Allan Iacuone attacked and put some precious metres into the group as it split into two as they flew out of sight. The huge crowd was holding their breath in anticipation as to who would come out of the corner first.
Race commentator Hollywood predicted it would be between Duncan Smith and Charles Howlett and he was bang on the money as Duncan Smith emerged out of the final corner with 10 metres on Charles Howlett to record a super impressive win. Adam Murchie came home third with Derek Ivey 4th and Ross Mueller 5th.
Duncan Smith checks over his shoulder as Charles Howlett comes storming home behind him.
Men’s B Grade was a tightly controlled race with every breakaway quickly brought back in before it had any chance of getting away. It looked like it was going to be a battle between Bike Force and Becoz as both teams had the fire power for a lead out train in the finish.
The Bike Force gang Stephen Mayes, Bill Gordin & Gareth Knight before the start of the race. Note: The good cap loft on Bill.
Coming into the last lap it seemed as if Bike Force had it covered with Bill Gordin driving it on the front with Stephen Mayes next in line and Gareth Knight hotly on his wheel. Some desperate riding saw the train thrown into chaos as other riders dived in front of them and caused a moment of panic before it threw the Bike Force train off.
A future SKCC star? He’s got good pedigree as his Mum was very handy on the bike.
In the end it was Jeremy McInnes from Bendigo who got the win ahead of Richard Braic who came home like a freight train with Jose Lisandro 3rd, Ben Loughlan 4th and Andrew Heraud sneaking home for 5th.
Men’s C Grade was a fast paced race with all eyes on last week’s breakaway demon Chis Handley. The bunch was not going to afford Chris the same latitude it did last week. Any break that went was chased down within seconds with the bunch determined that today was going to be a sprint finish.
Neil Robinson from ABOC / Campagnolo looks like he’s day dreaming about the new Campagnolo EPS groupset he so desperately wants. Neil sleeps with a Super Record lever under his pillow.
In the end the sprint finish was a cracker with new SKCC sensation Ben Robson packing a mighty punch to win by a nostril hair ahead of Erik Holt from Geelong with Mark Hudson finishing 3rd. Ben has some real natural talent and it’s only a matter of time before we see him in A Grade.
Ben Robson was certainly number one today when it mattered in the final sprint
Men’s D Grade had great numbers and was a great race to watch as the riders really had a crack and tried to get away numerous times throughout the race. The pace was high and the standard was great as all eyes were on Mr Consistent Shaun Sutcliffe who has been in everything this season. Today looked to be Matt Mullins day as he was consistently on the front of the bunch at one stage it looked like he was araldited to the front because he just wouldn’t get off. This must have had an impact and left him tired in the latter stages of the race.
Matt Mullins once again stringing out the bunch
E Grade learnt the ropes before they were let loose with 3 laps to go with Derek Trikarso and Matt Sanderson fighting it out after they blew the field away. Derek proved too strong on the day and took his first win of the season.
Caught again JK aka Mr Oakley’s with his 5th pair of custom Oakley’s!! JK bounced back well after paying his fine for poor cap loft. JK learnt his lesson & didn’t disappoint this week displaying beautiful loft that Big Mig would have been proud of.
You could sense in Women’s A Grade that former Australian TT Champion Bridie O’Donnell was going to explode today; she had that look in her eye before the start of the race. With 15 minutes to go Bridie went bang, bang, bang and the bunch had no answer as she powered away to a monster win that left everybody in her tracks. Clare Morgan took the sprint win for second just ahead of Grace Phang.
Bridie looking the goods this week.
Women’s B Grade took it easy today and at one stage they got quite a fright as Women’s C started closing in on them. All eyes were on Danielle Ahern early as she has been the form rider over the last few weeks. Anna Fogarty looked dangerous at times and looked like she was going to have a crack as did Sarah Lockie but in the end it was Madeleine Pape who put in a huge effort down the back straight to set up the win ahead of early favourite Danielle Ahern.
Deep in conversation talking about bikes, boys and the weather. Samantha Tarticchio on the left and Carrie Lim on the right. Samantha rode brilliantly and deserved a result.
Women’s C Grade was raced at a very high pace today and even had a few attacks thrown in to the mix. Samantha Tarticchio rode brilliantly and was in every attack and tried countless times to get away solo. If there was a prize for most aggressive then Samantha would have got it. Eva Wightman looked good again early and Carrie Lim looked to test the legs early but in the end it was Shantelle Maurer who took the win ahead of Laing McKenzie.
Next week is round 2 of the massive Bike Force series with heaps of giveaways and prizes so make sure you come down as it’s going to be huge!!!
Here’s a video put together by Adrian Vlok from Sundays action – enjoy.
Winners are grinners these 3 put on an awesome sprint finish that brought the crowd to their feet.
It seems these are the must have item. Enve wheels are springing up envewhere J
Looking calm, cool and relaxed as always former SKCC President Adrian Vlok
Stuart Morgan from Bike Bug will have his work cut out when he defends his Tour of Bright Master’s title in 2 weeks
Posted in: Race Reports
RACE 2 BIKE FORCE POINTS SERIES
This Sunday sees the return of the Bike Force Points series. Race 2 promises to be bigger and better with bumper field expected across all grades. Bike Force will have on display the Wilier Cento Uno as used by the Lampre team and the bike SKCC member Matthew Lloyd will use next year as well as the new Zero 7 which weighs an incredible 6.4kg!
A & B grade women along with C & D grade men will be racing for Most Aggressive rider. The most aggressive Male rider and most aggressive Female rider across these 4 grades will receive either a mens or ladies FIZIK saddle & bar tape package.
The Series is wide open and anybody can win so get down Sunday and be part of the prizes and the action.