2.2 Feb 11 Bleat

Post date: Feb 11, 2013 11:29:14 AM

Hello Vets,

In this issue of The Bleat;

· Notice of AGM

· Club Secretary position

· Nomination Forms

· Racing this Week (Note the Saturday race)

· Race Reports

Please send me your contributions at: TheBleat@actvets.cc

Ian Morton.

Club Secretary Position

The position of Club Secretary will be coming vacant this year. The club is looking for a member willing to fill this important position.

Nomination Forms

Nomination forms are available on the web site at;

http://www.actvets.cc/files/memberfiles/ComtteeNomination.pdf?attredirects=0&d=1

RACING THIS WEEK:

Tuesday, 12^th February: Stromlo Criterium

Where: Stromlo Forrest Park

Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number.

Race Description: G Grade@ 5:45 - 13min + 2 laps; A/B Grade@ 6:07 - 36min + 2 laps; C/D Grade@ 6:49 - 29min + 2 laps; E/F Grade@ 7:26 - 24min + 2 laps

Race Director: Steve Dean

Contact: Email: steve.dean2004@gmail.com Ph 0413749652

Reminder

Crit Marshals and Helpers needed

Steve needs a couple of helpers on the night. If you are racing you can still get there early or stay after your race to help out.

Important Information: Late Arrivals

It is a condition of our Insurance that all riders receive a referee’s briefing before the commencement of racing to ensure that they are aware of racing conditions.

All riders need to ensure that they arrive in sufficient time to sign-on and be briefed before the commencement of racing.

Thursday, 14^th February: Track Racing

Where: Queanbeyan Track

When: 6:00 pm

Details: Warm up from 5:30 first race at 6pm. Scratch races, two lap handicap, derny races and Italian pursuits. Road and track bikes welcome

Saturday, 16^th February - Lookout Hill Graded Scratch

Where: Lookout Hill

When: Starting 4:00 pm

*** Note : Saturday afternoon race ***

Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number.

Race Description:

ABCD: Lookout Hill - Pt Hut - Tharwa Short Turn - Pt Hut - Apollo Rd - return to Finish 500 Meters before lookout hill – 58km

EFG: - Start - Pt Hut - short Tharwa turn - Pt Hut - short Tharwa turn - Pt Hut – Finish – 36km..

Race Director: Peter Klein

Contact: Email pklein12@tpg.com.au Ph (02) 62926592

Help Needed on Sunday: Peter will need 5 marshals and finish line helpers. Anyone who is prepared to assist, please contact Peter before the weekend.

RACE REPORTS:

Crit Report – 5^th February

Perfect conditions for racing greeted us on Tuesday. It was almost breathless without the usual easterly ‘sea breeze’ blowing and the temperature was very pleasant – at least for those not racing! It was not surprising then that 122 riders fronted for racing. The racing both within and between A grade (21 riders) and B grade (31 riders), was aggressive and at times bordered on reckless, for a bunch of ‘veterans’. Fortunately, the services of Brad our first aid officer and accident reports were not required!

A & B grade

Right from “roll away A grade” the pace was on. Early in the race Nick Boylan made a breakaway which was soon caught by the A grade bunch. Almost immediately Graeme Allbon attacked but also was caught after a couple of laps. With the pack closing quickly on B grade it was Mark Harris’ turn to break and pass B grade. The rest of A grade pursued, passed B grade and caught Mark within 2 laps.

A grade slowed and B grade caught A grade and both grades formed a strung out bunch that resembled the Peleton of Le Tour when the pace is on. In the remaining 20 or so laps, B grade passed A grade, A grade passed B grade, B grade passed A grade and so on, until I lost count! It was exciting racing with the occasional dubious ‘manoeuvre’ thrown in, but for the officials at least, it was somewhat stressful to watch!

With only a couple of minutes to go, A graders Mark Harris, Paul Scherl and Rodney Bates made a charge but were reeled in. In the final sprint Andrew Chamberlain went at the top corner and was just strong enough to hold off Graeme Allbon and Paul Connor in a very close finish.

In a tightly contested finish in B grade, David Lander just out-sprinted the consistent Ben Davis and Bruce Goodspeed.

C & D grade

In contrast, the C and D grade races were much more sedate. There were no significant breakaways in either grade. It all came down to the final sprint. In C grade, John Hermes was too strong for Dale Kleeman and Bryan Holloway while in D Grade, a fast finishing Paul Clare managed to out sprint Peter Harding and Scott Tozer to get his first win of the Crit season. Lee Sheather continued her recent good form in finishing fourth.

E & F grade

Both E and F grade had controlled races with the outcome only decided in the print for the line. The 15 riders in E grade stayed together throughout the race and keeping up a good pace, managed to lap F grade. In the finish Linda Stals was too strong for Craig Kentwell and Bruce Frazer with Belinda Chamberlain close behind in fourth.

Of the 11 riders in F grade, 8 managed to contest the dash to the line and in a hard fought finish Phillip Coulton was able to push past Mark Skimmings. Nick Fraser finished third just ahead of Paul McKay and Barbara Bayliss.

G grade

G grade pack of seven riders split pretty early, with the usual suspects contesting the finish. James Meredith rode strongly and improved on his recent good form to cross the line ahead of Bob Egan and mister consistent, Bruce Jones.

There were no volunteers to marshall on the night but thanks to club stalwart and Directors’ mentor Henry Beaverstock, and some assistance from the usual crew of James Meredith and Graham Hendrie, we seemed to get through. Thanks to Kevin Hennessy for sweeping the track.

Thanks to Ian Shaw for refereeing (and providing a great write up).

Dalton Graded Scratch – 10^th February

Well another race done and dusted out at Dalton. Which is not all that fair of an assessment as it was a great day of racing with quite a few sprints to the line which were hard fought.

Even the weather, which looked a little seedy to begin with, came out warm and pleasant.

Combined A/B decided as usual that racing hard is the best way to enjoy the day and managed to shatter all over the place. Couple of riders to watch in the future in B grade.

The finish of the day though does not go to a winner of a grade but to a rider who would just not give in even though he was outnumbered two to one. Ian Morton managed to hold off the Tandem being Cameron and John which looked like it was going full bore from the final turn to the finish.

I also loved to see quite a few newer riders who may have been dropped still managed to finish their race with a smile (it could have been a grimace but I will go with smile).

Thanks again to all of you who came out to marshal.

Thanks to James Jordan for race refereeing.