Race Results
(2012) - Geelong Club Tour 2012
Geelong Cycling Club’s much anticipated Tour has been run and won.
Congratulations and all accolades go to local “Young Gun” Blake Hose who followed up a close second to Steve Del Gallo in the opening kermese leg at the testing wet and cool Eastern Gardens course with fastest time in the Belmont Island two lap prologue then another win on the extremely tough climbers course around Southerland’s Creek.
All the hard work of the Road Committee in setting up this event ably led by Committee Chair Daniel Wilson and supported by our loyal corner Marshalls was rewarded with pleasing numbers racing across three grades and juniors. (historically known as “Juveniles”) GCC was pleased to welcome riders from other Clubs including StKilda and a number of Tri-athletes. We live in hope they may yet see the light. Most pleasing to see a strong showing by the fairer sex however directionally challenged some remain.
The pulling power of the Eastern Gardens course shone through a dull wet morning which no doubt had some effect on numbers.
A Grade was a show of the strength of this Club with some of Victoria’s in form riders on the start line. Geelong’s depth and a course that is difficult to escape on saw a blanket finish as the remaining nine riders crossed in the space of 8.343 seconds. Throughout the race attack after attack came from Garnier, Wilson, Clifford and DelGallo only to be shut down in turn by the bunch determined to remain in contention. The win to Steve DelGallo over Blake Hose on the line then the ever improving Eric Holt in third.
Prologue. Eight riders with Blake Hose, 5:51.879, 2.695 seconds clear of Nick Squillary and Steve DelGallo 13.393 in third.
Road Race. Ten riders headed under control to the top of the climb out of Southerlands Creek, a ploy to keep the bunches together at the start and to give Race Controller Dan Wilson a semblance of a warm up. First spotted on the return to Maude Squillary, DelGallo and Hose were charging down wind at full noise with the pack nowhere in sight aided it seems by Corner Marshall “Didders his Duty” holding them up for traffic. Reports have it that an escape was magnificently chased down by Leigh Clifford. Leigh was last seen sitting in the car with his Mum Dot clearly having saved the race.
Despite the gap through Maude, Holt, Schmidt, Masters and the now fully warmed up Wilson stuck to their guns to finish a mere 55 seconds away from the bolters. Hose in 1:3747.148 then Squillary +2.266 and DelGallo +10.654.
B Grade had a healthy fifteen starters, (some may have even been fit) with a few managing to sneak under the Handicappers radar and the odd one who wished they had. Again the bunch remained largely intact despite a rash of attacks only to see Greg Hogan hold off StKilda’s Ned Volk and Tony Ross.
Prologue. Thirteen riders, Greg Hogan fastest, 6:21.404 closely followed by Tony Ross +0.885 and Ned Volk, +1.059.
Road Race. Sixteen starters with seven contesting a tight finish after the final climb of a punishing morning where two sizable bunches formed and several ejected on the big climbs. Very good racing in the 2′s with Paul Collins (Handicapper) taking particular note, the 1 hour 38 min would have finished with the A’s.
First Greg Hosking at 1:38:35.117 then the consistent Ned Volk +0.054 and in third Daniel Lamb +0.144
C Grade saw sixteen riders on course in drying conditions after A and B had squeegeed the bitumen for them including several of our older juniors, Jamie-Leigh Edwards, Rylan Bird, Ryan Burt and Zac Dynes. The youngsters acquitted themselves well but were led home by Simon Harrington, Gordon Duff and Steven Penman. The field were all home within two minutes of each other, Simon and Gordon in a tight sprint for the line.
Prologue. Fourteen riders, Dean Maclennan at 6:35.113 then Murray Pung +0.600 and Chris Bremmer +1.580.
Road Race. Seventeen starters over the full 60k and a real challenge for the U17 in the field so a special mention to Ryan Burt (must be a distant cousin) for his third place, best placed junior and to Jamie-Leigh Edwards, fastest female. A decisive win to Gordon Duff in 1:45:16.383 over Chris Bremner +1.636 and Ryan Burt +1.805 leading home a bunch of eight who hurt the rest or was that the hills?
Juniors. Five Juniors and three dedicated parents for whom their kids are eternally grateful had the benefit of a dry track and their first race with transponders. Brice made the most of the “control” lap by giving a credible impersonation of a “track stand” on the approach to the start/finish line as the others did their best to follow instructions and wait for him. Lincoln Clark was first home followed by Declan Macauley, Kane Bridger, Molly Bridger and by then the up to speed up Brice Bridger.
Prologue.Five riders, Declan Macauley fastest at 4:01.613 then Lincoln Clark +3.027, Molly Bridger +18.418, Kane Bridger, +19.311 and Brice Bridger +1:16.852.
No road race for the Juniors on Sunday. (Sigh of relief from parents)
D Grade Road Race. Seven riders over a shortened course of 40km saw significant gaps develop as Kieran Paton led home a trio of wayward riders with malfunctioning Garmens. Kieran’s time, 1:22:14.447 was followed by Linda Solly +6:16.997. Nolene Byrne +6:17.992 and Bonnie Lanham 4th +6:18.338.
Well done to those who raced and those who made it possible, a well worthwhile event this Club may wish to build on!
