Cycle Club Race Report Sunday 8th December 2013
Round 1 Summer Series – “The Davies Handshake Handicap!”
The Summer Series of Sunday Events started with a bang on Sunday with a great roll up of 24 competitors vying for a shot at the title. A change to the point score format and a shortened season comprising of only December and February brought out some riders who had literally dusted the winter cobwebs off the frame and decided that two rides (or less!) was enough training to start the series.
Two of the riders with limited training were team Phil – Davies and Bowden, who kicked off the series from limit. A golden handshake from Phil Davies to handicapper Zeke Loiterton guaranteed a very generous 12 minute head-start from scratch! Second limit left four minutes behind and comprised of debutantes James Lenehan and Greg Ewings who both had been showing some form of late on training rides. Joining these two was the experienced Barry Rose along with Darren Garnon and Paul Bruest.
Middle of the bunches to leave was the form group consisting of joint hot-favourites Anthony Dean and Scott McLeod with Rod Holder, Peter Lott, Tim Condon and Kevin Ford leaving 7 minutes after limit. The chopping block began 10 minutes behind limit and were going to have tough day. First time starter Jamin Hall, fresh off the Christmas Team Race win, drove the group hard setting a fearsome pace. Experienced campaigners Dave Jarvis, Ken Clarke, James Watson, Mick Crowe and Garry Halloran all reported having trouble holding his wheel – a definite danger-man for the series.
Despite Jamin’s best efforts scratch still managed to catch just before the turn and form a large chase bunch. Anthony Sleeman, Peter Telford, Sean Williams were ably followed by Frank Stephens. Alas despite everyones best efforts and a slick time the handicapper had ensured this group were not to catch anyone for the rest of the race!
Up in the distance ahead the second and third groups had combined and were now being carried along at the pace set by Lenehan, Dean and McLeod. This group thought they had the race won when they passed half of team Phil – forgetting that Phil Davies had left his partner at the Ironbarks on the way home and was being egged on by some ‘social’ riders to go for victory off limit. Seizing his chance and making the most of his investment with the handicapper, Phil rode solo off the front for the last 9km to a gutsy win and surely a harder group next week!
The strongest rider in the field Anthony Dean, who again was riding well within himself, led Scott McLeod out with a massive turn to enable Scott to win the bunch sprint for second place. McLeod (aka The Fox) looks also to be a good early bet for the overall title. The other placings were filled by Kevin Ford, Tim Condon and Lenehan. Anthony Sleeman clocked the fastest time in a slick 38 minutes 30 seconds.
Current Standings: Davies 12 points, McLeod 8, Ford 5, Condon 3 and Lenehan 2 points. For full table of standings click here.
Round 2 continues next Sunday at 9am from Berthong Road.