Series decided at Burke St
The series prize money was on the line on Saturday for Warragul Cycling Club Members at the Burke Street Circuit. Race five of the series would determine the series winners.
Brenton Jones’s appearance would make it hard for the A graders to move up the rankings. He took it easy on the field early though and spent much time on the front towing the boys along at a solid tempo.
Matt Parkinson took off with a lap and a half to go before the intermediate sprint and managed to stay away to take the points. Rob Monk and Josh Akarsu contested the sprint for the remaining point with Josh too quick.
The bunch picked up the pace on the King St hill after the sprint and Rob Monk and Glenn Marriott went straight out the back and never rejoined the leaders. The group stayed together till the final lap. Akarsu put in a big attack but was dragged back. Brenton won the sprint for victory easily from Will Lumby with Josh Akarsu in third, Matt Parkinson fourth and George Tambassis fifth.
Visiting St Kilda rider Corey Driscoll was the unknown factor in the B grade race. Tex Walker took out the intermediate sprint from Jason Dastey and immediately after Driscoll and Whelan attacked and broke away. Roland Elsdon rode across to them and the bunch seemed very reluctant to chase.
Driscoll, Whelan and Elsdon established a huge lead and went on to contest the finale. Elsdon led out the sprint but Driscol was on his wheel with 300 meters to go and jumped hard. Whelan got across to him and looked like he would be able to pass him on the line but Corey was just too strong and took the win. Whelan was second. Then followed Elsdon, Walker and Finlayson.
The C grade group of 11 riders lapped at a consistent pace with not too many breakaways. Dave Willowhite from Bairnsdale was the main aggressor. Dave Smith was riding a smart race and took the intermediate sprint from Connor Bagot. Willowhite continued to get away in the second half of the race but never managed much of a gap. In the bunch sprint, Dave Smith timed his run perfectly and just managed to beat Connor Bagot. Mariah Dastey was third with Pete Bailey fourth and Shean Donaldson fifth.
Terry Kelly showed he’d lost none of his guile in the D grade intermediate sprint. When he saw Andy Nicholls look over his left shoulder he immediately went to the right and snuck past to take the sprint.
Andy turned the tables on him at the finish though and took the win. Terry was second with Rob Knowles third. Then followed Frank Bensted and Lea McLean.
The series winners were Jayden Manintveld 1, on 21 points, David Smith 2, on 18 points, Pete Finlayson 3, 18pts, Connor Bagot 4, 17 points and Tom Fitzgerald 5, 16 points.
Next week is the club criterium championships at Burke St at 2pm on Saturday.
There will be five separated races Juniors (J17 and below), open (J19, elite and anyone who wants to contest the open championship), Masters 123, Masters 4+ and women’s.
A barbecue and presentation open to all club members will follow the race.