Sydney Uni Velo Club Open Race – 15 July 2012

After the last two SUVelo races being cancelled due to rain, we asked UK bound Gareth Williams to make a little room in his luggage and take the ‘inclement’ (nee crap) weather back to whence it came leaving us with perfect racing conditions at Heffron Park yesterday morning. 131 competitors across 5 grades including for the first time 2 separate women’s grades.

A Grade saw many NRS big hitters at the start line. GPM rider Ed White (SUVelo) made an early 2 man break with Budget Forklifts Luke Davison (SCC) who were looking very strong and stayed away until the finish, despite a second group of pursuants doing what they could to bring it back. Sam Rutherford (GPM, SCC) soloed away from the chase group in the closing moments of the race to claim third place, Ed taking the win and Luke second.

Manly Warringah members were out in force, utilizing the race as a round of their club championships – leading many at SUVelo to worry they had lost their home ground advantage and that may well have been true in Men’s B grade with a clean sweep by MWCC members – Dean Gale, Billy Sykes and Chris Miller. A MWCC 2 man break stayed away not only for the prime, but almost the entire race. Welcome to A grade chaps.

In Men’s C Grade Taylor Bjarnoe (DHBC) took the win with Greg Reynolds (MWCC) second and Darren Moore (ESCC) third.

D Grade had many riders racing for the first time but that didn’t equate to an easy race with competition fierce. Peter-James Briggs (MWCC) took the win with club mate Edward Shilland second and Julian Schimmel (SUVelo) third.

In a smaller than usual Women’s A grade, MWCC rider Cat Haines showed great racing tactics when outnumbered 3-1 by SUVelo by shaking off her rivals until she was left in a one-on-one with Melissa Neumaier (SUVelo), With strength in her legs that could wear down many opponents she kept the pace consistently high, however in the final sprint Melissa kicked again and claimed the win, Cat second then Rae-Anne Hardie (SUVelo) third.

Women’s B grade saw riders from ESCC dominate the field with Stephanie Lord winning over Tracey Bloxsom and Drusilla Williams.

Well done everyone who competed on a great morning of racing.

Thanks to Neil Bradshaw our Chief Commissaire and commentator, Sal Hannaford and Jo Bradshaw at sign on and to the marshals Doreen Weber, Vanina Vergoz, Tim Chan and Johnny Lewis for your work to make the day such a success.

CLUB MESSAGES:
The next race will be on the 2nd Sunday of August (12th) so as not to clash with the Ride For Life. Hope to see you there.