Big numbers for Darnum race
Big numbers competed in race two of Warragul Cycling Club’s six-race series at Darnum on Sunday.
Held in near perfect conditions, with sunshine, clear skies and little wind, 40 racers arrived at the start line near the Big Stump in Darnum.
With an even better turnout than for race one, there was a fairly even number of racers in each grade, and no clear stand-outs riders.
Based on the results sheet from race one, there was plenty of movement between grades. Notably, Ollie Dennis and Chris Bagot were promoted to B grade, while Brett Kennedy was relegated to B after his less than impressive showing in A grade the week prior.
The A grade field was bolstered by a number of young elite cyclists returning from National Road Series (NRS) duties. They were clearly looking to secure a “sheep station” on offer at local club racing.
Racing under the banner of Gippy Cyclists, the group of elite young cyclists, proceeded to show the local “unsigned” riders what a complete bunch of cyclists they really are.
With the majority of the A grade field at their disposal - including the two strongest cyclists, the Gippy Cyclists employed negative “blocking” tactics, with a view to get their chosen cyclists in the break.
While a common tactic at World Tour level races, such tactics are questionable at club level, particularly when employed against a bunch of old blokes whose best days are clearly beyond them.
Tom Reid from Team Gipps Cyclist rode away with the win and will take home Wilgena Station, the world’s largest sheep station.
The sizable B grade field appeared evenly matched on paper, and this proved to be the case until very late in the race.
Tom Dudley from Leongatha was keen to stretch his legs early and went solo on lap one.
He was later joined by race debutant Joel Watson, who looked strong early and appeared to jump across with ease.
However, showing his exuberance and inexperience, Joel was later very nearly dropped.
Some in the bunch were starting to get a bit twitchy at this point, notably Alex “Jumping Jack” Gardner, who has since been instructed to tone back the pre-race espressos.
Only after young Ollie Dennis bridged across to make it a three-man break, did the chasing peloton display any real cohesion. The break was soon reeled in and it was all back together with three laps to go.
Having been used up and spat out last race, Ian Studley from Mornington displayed he was clearly a quick learner and not going to make the same mistake twice. Having kept his tinder dry in the first half of the race, he turned up the heat with two laps to go.
Taking Tom Dudley with him, it become the Studley-Dudley show, as the two strongest riders distanced the field. Despite the best, albeit late attempts of the now much reduced and clearly tiring chase group, they were never caught.
Studley was too good for Dudley in the two up sprint, while debutant Joel Watson held off the bunch to take third. Welcome to A grade Ian Studley and Tom Dudley!
The next race will be at Burke St, Warragul on Sunday, March 5 at 8.30am.