By John Sunde
Sutton wins Pro Tour line up
UCI Pro Tour Teams:
Sky Procycling
Rabobank
Vacansoleil-DCM
UCI Continental:
Fly V Australia
Team Jayco/AIS
NRS Teams:
Bikebug.com
NSW Clubs
Easts
Caravello
Manly
Lidcombe Auburn
Randwick Botany
St George
Syd Uni
Sutherland
Not many club race start lists look this impressive but when Pro Tour riders Chris Sutton, Pieter Weening and Jens Mouris fronted up to the last handicap race for 2011 it was game on. A howling 40kph southerly just added even more grit to the race which was a race of attrition from the start.
110 riders lined up for the start but 15 laps later there were less than a dozen riders left to fight out the finish. Jens Mouris was a powerhouse alnight seemingly on the front for half the race pulling entire lap turns to ensure the back markers were in the money. B grade were accounted for with 6 laps to go and within no time their numbers diminished from 40 with only 5 riders left at the finish.
C grade proved a little more difficult to catch but their race too was effectively over just before the bell lap when they were caught by Mouris who had Liam Kelly and Tim Willing in tow in a mini break. At the bell it was Mouris on the front again keeping the pace nice and high for fellow pro sprinter Chris Sutton who made no mistake to easily account for Ritchie Lang in the sprint.
Surprise finish of the night was an incredible ride from Warren Doyle who finished third and proved beyond any doubt he’s ready for A grade next year. Incredible rides also from Liam Kelly and Tim Willing who not only managed to make the earlier break with Mouris, but also managed to snatch fourth and fifth in the sprint. Solid rides from John Peppard and Brent Dawson who completed the B grade placings.
Daniel Pinczewski proved his recent C grade placing was no fluke, this time taking the win from James Miller and Jason Morgan.
A big thanks to the 3 pro tour riders for coming to mix it with the locals. It created a huge buzz at the race with many younger riders grabbing a photo op after the race with the riders. Riders with stage wins in all 3 Grand Tours at your local club race is what makes cycling so cool.
Next Tuesday is the Easts Annual Trophy Race, the final race for 2011 before racing resumes on 10th January 2012 for the Real Insurance Pointscore.
Its unlikely Anthony Spurgeon will add to his record 9 wins, but Phil Grenfell has the opportunity to defend his title, although the current form guide suggests Chris Sutton, a three time winner of the race will be hard to beat.
Trophy Race Honour List
2010 Phill Grenfell (Bike Bug)
2009 Chris Sutton (Garmin-Chipotle)
2008 Dean Windsor (Drapac Porsche)
2007 Luke Davison (Syndey)
2006 Anthony Spurgeon (Caravello)
2005 Joshua Marden (Randwick Botany)
2004 Jose Rodriguez (Easts)
2003 Chris Sutton (St George/NSWIS-FDJeux.com)
