Race Results
Footscray CC Graded Scratch Series (2012) - Little River
Round 11 of the Footscray Cycling Club’s Winter Road Season held around the Flinders Avenue circuit in the shadow of the You Yangs, saw racers greeted by blue skies, a light wind and perfect racing weather.
Adam Murchie took a hard fought win in the A-Grade race today, with a standout performance by Trevor Hutchings earning high praise and second place. Early in the race, Hutchings, Miles DaCosta, Josh Zammit and Liam Dove broke away and built up quite a good lead, at which stage Murchie and Jason Costin hit the bunch again and managed to bridge the gap to the breakaway. As the six approached the finish, Murchie found himself in the prime position: ‘Trevor attacked with me on his wheel and gave me an armchair ride and we swapped turns for the last few kilometers, so we duelled it out at the end and I held him out.’ Murchie crossing the line to take the win just ahead of Hutchings in second, with Costin pushing clear of the chasers to take third; all three riders signalling their good form a week out from the club’s annual 3 Day Tour held on the June long weekend.
B-Grade raced hard and fast for the full 5 laps, but unusually the large field remained intact, meaning that it would be a mass bunch sprint up the narrow and uphill final straight along Flinders Avenue. Phil Tehan hit the bunch as they approached the last corner, and took four other riders with him; it looked like they may be able to break away, but the bunch put the hammer down and brought them back, at which stage various riders hit the pack one after the other, leaving riders strung out approaching the line. It was 36 year old Greensborough resident Mark Gallagher who made the most of the remaining 200 meters, kicking past his competitors and building up a slender lead and holding on. This is his second race back after a long hiatus, taking time away to recover from a back injury. ‘I really had no choice but to go; I only had 10 meters on the others but I held on.’ Gallagher took the win ahead of the in-form Les Kennett and judges couldn’t separate Trevor Perry and Glen Grbesa for third place.
C-Grade winner Michael Dam must be carrying a four leaf clover; the 30 year old West Footscray resident was just promoted to C-Grade one week ago and now can claim a win. Dam found himself on Josh Ryan’s wheel as they approached the line and just managed to hold off Ross Liley and Paul Beasley.
Glen Detering can take a confidence boosting win in today’s D-Grade race to next week’s 3 Day Tour; the 37 year old Maribyrnong resident seizing his opportunity when it came up. ‘I looked over my shoulder and thought everyone looked like they were hurting, so I just gave it a go and took off.’ Detering took the win and held off ace veteran Barry Cram in second place and Leigh Pridmore for third.
A: 1st Adam Murchie, 2nd Trevor Hutchings, 3rd Jason Costin, 4th Liam Dove & 5th Josh Zammit.
B: 1st Mark Gallagher, 2nd Les Kennett, =3rd Glen Grbesa & Trevor Perry & 4th David Bowering.
C: 1st Michael Dam, 2nd Ross Liley, 3rd Paul Beasley, 4th Josh Ryan.
D: 1st Glen Detering, 2nd Barry Cram, 3rd Leigh Pridmore, 4th Mick Wells & 5th Marty Kilduff.
