Hello Vets, In this week's Bleat; • Notice of Annual General Meeting 2016 • From the Desk of the President • From the Desk of the Handicapper • Wanted: Steel track bike • Corin Rd • Interstate Events • Racing this Week • Race Reports
Please send me your contributions at: TheBleat@actvets.cc
Ian Morton
From the Desk of the PresidentThe ACT Vets Club annual General Meeting (AGM)All club members are invited to attend our upcoming AGM as follows:- For those club members who wish to stand for the Committee, the nomination form is available at http://www.actvets.cc/files/memberfiles/ComtteeNomination.pdf. Cancellation of race 14 FebruaryApologies to disappointed members who were looking forward to the year's first road race out at Old Federal H'wy last Sunday. The approval from authorities simply did not come through in time for this race, despite our early efforts, so we had no option but to cancel rather than run an unauthorised event on public roads. Race approvals are always a challenging thing, and perhaps look set to be even more so. We think NSW may soon require on-road marshals to be qualified similar to ACT. Future of Stromlo Criterium trackThe ACT Government has put out a proposed revision to the Stromlo Forest Park master plan which may involve changes to the existing criterium track and other changes involving access to the track and its integration with Uriarria Rd - all designed, it seems, to satisfy the more general 'community' need for recreation facilities and parkland, especially those in the new encroaching suburbs; rather than the more focused needs of the cycling community. (See: http://haveyoursay.planning.act.gov.au/stromlo-forest-park-master-plan ) Rather disappointingly the ACT Government did not consult with the ACT Vets during the period of consultation - despite our very frequent use of the track and attendance at the ACT Government's Bicycling Advisory Group (BAG). The President was still able to make a strong, but late, submission to the ACT cautioning against interfering with the integrity of such a world class, well designed and much appreciated cycling racing facility, particularly the inherent dangers of community foot access to the track when cycling races are in progress. We will keep you posted as this issue develops.
Alex O'Shea
From the Desk of the HandicapperThis week's changes; PromotionsMathew Corby B to A
Please note the provisional race program and appointed volunteer race referees and marshals for the early races (http://www.actvets.cc/referees/VETS 2016 Marshall Roster.xls). Please check to see if you name has been included. Currently, I'm choosing people to marshal who have raced over the summer, are not in their first season and previously marshalled in first half of 2015 or not at all. If you didn't help out in 2015, please come forward. Being a race referee or traffic controller can be demanding but calling out and writing down numbers in the chute is a task most of us would find quite straightforward. The club is able to sustain its low costs (E.g. Licence and 20 races=$200 for the Vets but $450 for CCC) thanks to the efforts of those who offer their services for free. The more the burden is spread among all members, the fairer the system is. Thanks to those who've offered their services already. Looking forward to your help in the coming months.
Rob Langridge
Wanted: Steel track bikeI'm looking for a traditional lugged steel track bike for a 52+ ACTVet to take back to the velodrome. Either forks & frame or complete bike would be considered. European, Japanese, or Australian. Can be a running bike, requiring minor work and/or in need of complete restoration. Looking for a 54cm or 55cm square frame (around 21-22" in the old money). If you have a dedicated steel track bike collecting dust in a garage and would like to see it returned to the velodrome under careful ownership, please call me on 0428467623 or email at afmillett@ozemail.com.au. Alec Millett Corin RdFolks, Anne and John I’Ons Interstate Events• Newcrest Orange Challenge
RACING THIS WEEK:Tuesday, 16th February: Stromlo CriteriumWhere: Stromlo Forest Park Race Director: Steve Dean The nominated marshals for this event are; • Craig Kentwell, • Brian Holloway
Wednesday, 17th February: Track RacingThe Program for Wednesday is as follows:
Sunday, 21st February: Uriarra Homestead Time Trial - Age StandardWhere: Uriarra Homestead, intersection Uriarra Rd and Brindabella Rd. The nominated marshals for this event are; • ATC: Kevin Hennessy, Simon Milnes • Marshals: James Mills, Peter Alexander
Please confirm with the Race Director that you are available. If you unable to make the date that you have been rostered please find a replacement.
The nominated marshals for upcoming events are;
RACE REPORTS:Stromlo Criterium – 9th FebruaryStomolo F.P. provided a typical warm to hot February afternoon with an overcast sky and gusty northerly wind. The racing was anti clockwise. Start times were rotated from the usual fixed order and although it obviously didn’t suit all riders it didn’t reduce the number of starters in A grade with 26 the same as last week). C grade was down from 23 to 17. A and C got away at 5.50pm with 35 mins showing on the time/(lap) display board. At the expiry of 35 mins. A grade was given 5 laps and C grade 2 laps on the display board to conform to the programed 40 mins + 2 laps for A grade and 35 mins. + 2 laps for C grade. In an attempt to further allay confusion a whistle indicated the last lap for C grade while A grade received the usual bell. A Grade.Four riders got away early. These included the usual suspect Dominic Romano (368) aka “The Dominator”, Kel Boers (291), Stephen Isbel (664) and Ben Morrison (210). This break was quickly brought back and a few mins. later one rider (Thomas Hartley I think) opened up a 20m gap. The main attack came 27 mins into the race and these four riders opened up a substantial break, which stretched out to half a lap. They finished with Kel Boers (291) , Stewart Nicholas (346), Ed Pellegrino (300) and Hartley Thomas (605) gaining the first four places. Sean Ifland (205) and Mark Harris (96) were the best of the chasers. C grade.C grade began quietly although a dropped bidon caused a moment of anxiety in the main straight. Riders are reminded of the dangers of unsecured water bottles etc. in tight bunches at speed. Racing remained sedate until about halfway into the race. Andrew Simpson (578) and Cameron Pitt (502) opened up a break, which stretched out to 150m at times. This caused the peleton to split into two groups. The serious chasers formed a bunch of 9 riders with the remaining 6 riders fragmented in a loose line behind. The original break group stayed away with Andrew Simpson taking the major place and Cameron Pitt second. Graham Taton (196) and Jason McAvoy (37) were the best of the peleton of 9 chasers. B grade.As with the A/C races B and D were given 35 mins on the time display board. B grade was then shown 4 laps to go and D grade 2 laps to go. A whistle indicated D grade’s last lap and B got the bell. Twenty-nine riders began the B grade race with nothing remarkable happening until 1/3 of the way into the race. Damian Copeland (87), Christophe Barberet (119) and Jamie McRae (83) opened up a break with a lack of interest from the peleton indicated by slow riding. A series of attacks started toward the final 10 mins. of the race with Christophe Barberet and Mathew Corby being chased by Darius Everett involved in a break. Mathew Corby was the winner with Paul Ledbrooke (556), Michael Foulds, Tony Rowley (576) and Bryan Holloway (50) taking the minor places. D Grade.Twenty-three riders began the race with Matt Shadbolt (234) puncturing and exchanging bikes early in the race. Matt made up for the lap lost by forcing the pace so hard that he managed to get away half way through the race but the borrowed bike finally brought him back to the bunch. The overtaking by B grade was a bit messy with D grade having to receive the yellow flag in order to separate the grades. There were no major problems and the overtaking went relatively smoothly although taking nearly a lap. The pace was furious at times and at one stage the bunch was strung out the length of the straight. The sprint for the finish line was fast and furious with Robin Mules (217) crossing the line first. Placings went to James Curran (341), Graham Wilson (206) and John Hermes (310). In fifth place was the fast finishing Ally Roche who had show great tenacity and aggressive riding throughout the race. E Grade.E grade had a good fast race with little upset except for an attack by Steve Dean (294) 5 minutes into the race. The race finished with a fast bunch sprint to the line. Linda Stals (339) showed excellent sprinting ability to take the race out. She was closely followed by Robert Mackey (321), Steve Dean (294) and Mick Donaldson (535). F and G gradeWith the light fading fast, due to an overcast sky, an intrepid mixed bunch of 10 new and experienced riders took to the track. Bernie Crowe was the only G grade rider and rode his usual stoic time trial. The others stayed together in a somewhat uneventful race except for the last lap. The ladies dominated the final lap with Alison Hale (597) on the comeback trail beating the experienced sprinter Pat Rooke (402) to the line. Minor placings went to Ian Barrass (227) 3rd, Barbara Bayliss (145) 4th and Lynne Prentice (172) 5th. Thanks to Paul Connor and Dougal Torrance (marshals) as well as Graham Hendrie and the committee members who helped set up and look after the race registrations.
Paul Robey
Narrabundah Track Racing – 10th FebruaryAfter so much rain, hot dry conditions on Wednesday 10 February were most welcome. It was windy during the track practice session. However, the wind eased over the session and conditions for racing were generally fine. A roll up of 18 riders provided excellent racing. The initial scratch races were 16 laps, with rider numbers allowing separate A and B grade races. The A grade race started conservatively. At mid-race Michael Langdon, Rowan McMurray and Chris Thompson upped the pace and established a break. Steve Jones led the pack to close the gap. A few, stressed riders yoyoed off the back of the bunch. However, with seven laps to go, the field consolidated to a single bunch and remained together until the bell lap. Michael Langdon made the first move at the bell, with Steve Jones hot on his heels. Steve took the final sprint from Michael Langdon and Aaron Sedgemen. Craig Kentwell took a creditable fourth place. In B grade, the bunch lost one or two riders when the pace came on with six laps to go. By the bell lap, the field was splintering. The final sprint saw a very close tussal between Alec Millett, Martin Graham and Bruce Griffin. The trio finished in that order with less than a wheel separation. A 4-Lap handicap provided close racing in both grades. Rowan McMurray took A grade from Aaron Sedgemen and Steve Jones. Alec Millett took B grade from Martin Graham and Phil Coulton. The next event was a 12-Lap, multi-sprint, ‘Win & Out’. This can be a brutal race at times. In A grade, Steve Jones took the first sprint and Michael Langdon held the gap from the first sprint to take the second. Rowan McMurray took the third sprint. Craig Kentwell was the spectator’s favourite with a gallant, but unsuccessful, slog to hold on for fourth place against a fast closing Aaron Sedgemen. In B grade, Martin Graham took the first sprint and Alec Millett took the second sprint. Phil Coulton replicated Craig Kentwell with a gutsy slog, in front. Again, this went unrewarded, as he was overtaken by Steve Hirsler for the third sprint. The final event for the evening was an Italian Pursuit. A few late withdrawals upset the balance in selections for this race. In addition, Team 2 did not realise how much energy Phil Coulton has expended in the ‘Win & Out’ and made a tactical error in positioning Phil in its pace line. The nett result was an easy win for Team 1 and some lessons learned. Major place getters for the 10 February races were as follows: Season Point Score Update: Michael Langdon (180), Steve Jones (166),), Alec Millett (162), John-Paul DeSousa (135), Steve Hirsler (132) Ross Scutts (127).
Graeme O'Neill
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