Sunday Event Report 10th February 2013
A warm morning greeted the increasing numbers of riders to the Sunday Club Event. In all 15 riders turned out to race in perfect conditions with little wind from any direction. More riders returned from a long hiatus including Steve Green and Simon Thompson who joined by Bill Sutcliffe in the limit group. Handicapper Peter Rees had pulled this group in 1 minute from the week before and they had an 8 minute head start on scratch.
Second limit consisted of Al Baker, Scott McLeod (back from his traffic injury), Anthony Dean and Rod ‘The Surge’ Fergus – no doubt in his last start off just 4 and a half minutes! At this generous handicap they were always going to be hard to catch.
The chopping block had all but been confirmed at Brendan Forsyth, Kevin Ford along with Dave Jarvis and Hamish Nott before the late arrival of Dr Kenny Clark who strengthened this group considerably. This group left at 7 minutes after limit and just 1 minute in front of the scratch group of Steve Hines, Kevin Goodman and Frank ‘Sparky’ Stevens.
Block were able to hold off scratch, largely thanks to Ken, until after the turn and this group formed a strong working bunch of 8 on the way home trying to chase down the front two groups which had also combined just after the turn. It appeared to both the Fox and the handicapper that the bunch of limit and second limit were rolling over the wrong way accidentally but to those behind this just looked like another attempt at trying to maintain their generous handicap for another week!
That said the race became one group at around Dinyah on the way home with about 4km left. It was here that Rod ‘Sergus’ came into his own trying to split up the bunch much to the chagrin of all concerned who were close to their limit! Fergus was duly dobbed in to the handicapper by his bunch-mates at the end as to his strength and can expect a less generous handicap next week!
It was left to Steve Hines to make the move that would prove decisive as he pulled both Kevin and Frank off the front of the group with 1km remaining. Kevin would take the spoils in a very slick 38.43 for both the win and fastest time. Hines followed with Frank in 3rd as Ken Clark and Dave Jarvis finished in under 40 minutes from the block group.
A quick reminder that interclub racing starts on the 23rd February and our local race at the Stockinbingal Fair is scheduled for the 17th March so there is plenty of time to get some training in. A big thank you once again to our commissaires Pete Rees, Al Moston, Peter Hines and the Fox for their ongoing support. As our numbers are increasing a quick reminder to all riders to obey the road rules – particularly at the start and the end of the event when there are large numbers of riders present. Please be mindful of traffic so that we do not impede its flow and clear the road quickly after the event.