By Carnegie Caulfield Cycling Club
The first CCCC race of 2012 kicked off under grey skies and strong winds, but at least it stayed dry. Perhaps inspired by the fantastic racing at the Australian Road Championships over the weekend, all races saw aggressive racing, and only the strongest able to remain in contention until their final laps.
Tom Leaper (Croydon Cycleworks) claimed the A Grade win solo, after a huge early effort with Andrew Stalder and Amir Rusli (Drapac) that saw the trio hold off the bunch until the final four laps. Only a dozen of the chasers were able to hold to the leading trio when they kicked again, but none had any answer when the former Giro rider launched into the headwind early on the final lap and powered home a clear winner.
Stalder lead the rest home, chased all the way by Nick Walker (Search2Retain), Leigh De Luca (SRAM), Matt Goold (02) and Geordie Probert.
B Grade also came down to a strong break of a dozen riders that held off the big chasing bunch comfortably for the second half of the race. In a very tight sprint, Mitchell Barry (QuickCycle Coaching) prevailed by half a wheel ahead of Andrew Mapstone (Salter Cycles), Hayden Bradbury (Bicycle Superstore), Kyle Thompson (Crino Cycles) and Camden Bush (Charter Mason). Belinda Goss (Nutrixxion) claimed the women?s win.
C Grade saw the biggest bunch finish of the night, with a confident win taken by Deryck Walker (Bike Gallery) ahead of the fast finishing Caiden Hull (CCCC Elite), with Shane Barr, Ash Abdou and Ron Purtle virtually in a line across the track in a tight tussle for third place. Lisa Hanley (Cycling-Inform) won the women?s division ahead of Madeleine Cardillo (Kelly Cycle Coaching) and Nicole Justice (Bike Gallery).
The D Grade bunch was down to 20 riders for the final two laps after a steady race of attition. Richard Lyon romped home in the sprint, will Michael Brill, David Prior and youngster James Moffat rounding out the podium. Anna Collins (O?Mara) faded after a strong early showing but recovered well to take the women?s win.
CCCC crits continue on Sunday morning at Glenvale Crescent in Mulgrave. The Novice Clinic starts the day at 8.30am, followed by B and D Grades at 9am and wrapping up with the A and C Grade races at 10.15am. Don?t forget to arrange a 2012 license (and bring a receipt along!) before you race.
To see Michael Eaddy?s photos, visit https://plus.google.com/photos/103110114927998248117/albums/5695945896804593313?banner=pwa
Race Results
Sandown Twilight Crits (2012) - 10 January 2012
A Grade 60 mins 45 starters
1 Tom Leaper Blackburn
2 Andrew Stalder CCCC
3 Nick Walker CCCC
4 Leigh De Luca CCCC
5 Matthew Goold St Kilda
6 Geordie Probert Footscray
B Grade 60 mins 52 starters
1 Mitchell Barry Blackburn
2 Andrew Mapstone CCCC
3 Haydn Bradbury Blackburn
4 Kyle Thompson CCCC
5 Camden Bush CCCC
Women Belinda Goss Tasmania
C Grade 50 mins 53 starters
1 Deryck Walker St Kilda
2 Caiden Hull CCCC
3 Shane Barr Southern Masters
4 Ash Abdou CCCC
Women Lisa Hanley Hawthorn
2 Madeleine Cardillo Brunswick
3 Nicole Justice St Kilda
D Grade 45 mins 34 starters
1 Richard Lyon Southern Masters
2 Michael Brill CCCC
3 David Prior CCCC
4 James Moffat Blackburn
Women Anna Collins CCCC
E Grade 30 mins 7 starters
1 Jack Throssell CCCC
2 Alana Field CCCC
3 Mietta Greig-Hurtig CCCC
4 Tiger McNamara CCCC
5 Krista Imberger CCCC
6 Sam Bradbury CCCC
