Tracker White Handicap – 25 July 2010

The 22 minute group started rolling and were told to roll through and target an average of 36.  Usually D Grade rides about 10% slower than this average and at the last outing on this course where the group worked turns the average was about 33 to 34.  Holding 36 was going to take a big effort by this time mark.

Watching the group leave it was noticeably bigger in numbers than the 18 min group that I was joining.  The only rider I knew was Rob Hunt who was recently elevated to C Grade.  A group of about 8 set off in pursuit.  Turns began and the pace was higher than I was used too.  After the turn at Tynong we were already dropping in numbers.  There was a clear group of three riders who were stronger than the rest. What was great to see was the pace management by Leigh Parsons, Craig Calwell and Terry Burrows.  As the other riders dropped turns, these three managed the pace to hold the group together.  They worked tirelessly and kept the pace strong.  As I recovered some breath I would put in a turn or two to assist.  It was not often.  A passenger mostly today.  The other “stragglers’ like me also put in turns when their strength returned.

We were joined by the 12 minute men and Rob Monk was a clear driver, organising the group when the turns dropped off.  We were closing on the leaders but there was still a big gap.  The leading car was visible along a long straight.  It would be a close finish.

Two riders broke away and as we turned back towards Cora Lynn there was a gap of about 30 metres.  Closed down again and the sprinters were taking control.  The final bend and then the final sprint.  I lost touch around the corner with the front runners and then had a cruise to the line.

A very hard race for me.  Donna Innes-Waddell tells me she got to ride the whole race with other riders rather than a windy hard ride at the last effort here. 

Well the 18 minute men can be very proud of the effort.  Was the winner a 22 minute man who held on and won the  sprint.  Great  effort.  Second to the 18 minute men organising supremo who calculated the average required to win and then delivered with the strong commitment from the group  Well done to Rob Feigan who struggled early and was brought back to the group by James McArdle to finish fourth. Jane Hill put in another top performance taking her share of the prize money. To the La Trobe rider and other riders picked up and held the group to the finish, Great job.

To the rest, there is always next time.

Thanks for a great day’s ride.  It was good to see Tracker present the prize to the winner.

Now, must check when I’m rostered for corner duty. I would be loathe to miss my turn at duty and thus jeopardize the event continuing  or worse still, cause a fellow club member to forfeit their ride because I failed to do my duty.