REPORT

Sixty riders, including Juniors, turned out for racing at Heffron Park on what could only be described as a magnificent spring day.  The sunshine beamed down and even the wind took a holiday for a change.  When the wind takes a break at Heffron racing takes on a whole different look.  No longer is it a race for the sprinters but the endurance riders get a chance to make breaks from the Peleton.  This was the case in nearly all the grades with riders getting away. 

The A Grade race was very interesting in the first couple of laps with all of the riders turning over and doing turns, then all of a sudden two riders were missing.  Last week’s A grade winner, Jerzy Sowa and Aaron Castles both out with punctures.  Even more remarkable considering that Tony Horneman had used the club petrol blower to blow every bit of glass and debris off the entire two kilometre distance of the track.  You must have missed two slithers, Tony. 

(Click on images for larger view)	Soon after that, Tom Brook turned up the heat.  The King of Heffron, Anthony Spurgeon was able to go with him.  (Photo shows "Spurge" & Tom with Jerzy Sowa tucked in behind shortly before he was forced to retire with a slow leaking rear tyre.)
	The attack saw the remaining A graders break into two groups with Matthew Lucas and David Bowen from Easts working together trying to get them back.  The pace was so hot that Matthew and David Bowen gracefully retired and watched the Spurgeon and Brook show.

 Tom tried on several occasions to drop Spurgeon but when it comes down to a sprint with the King of Heffron there is usually only one outcome as it was on this occasion with Anthony Spurgeon first and Tom Brook second.

Brad Lane took a holiday from his usual position at the back of the bunch and was seen at the front early in the B grade race setting the pace.  On lap 3 however, Sydney Club’s Phil McKnight attacked and got a good break from the peleton.  The pace of the chasing riders was such that after they caught McKnight, B grade had effectively split into two bunches with a group of seven riders away. 

(Click on images for larger view)	There was then another attack by McKnight’s team mate, Paul Rigby and the chase to get him back saw Phil McKnight dropped off the back with six riders away.  Although Phil, valiantly tried to get back on, he was never quite able to bridge the gap and rejoin the group away.
	Randwick Botany's Will Gray (Eventual winner of the race) rolls to let Neil Morris come through for a turn.

The race became even more interesting about three to go when a touch of wheels saw Eastern Suburbs rider, John McKenzie go down right in the path of Randwick Botany’s Neil Morris.  Both riders were OK and worked together and amazingly were able to bridge the gap to get back to the front bunch.   The final sprint saw Randwick Botany’s Will Gray first, Paul Rigby second and David Jackson just edge out Neil Morris for third place.

The C grade event also was very much a two man show. 

 Randwick Botany’s Keegan Aitchison, Tony Caruanna and “Big Dickie” Richard Manners got away on lap 2 of the race, building on their lead and staying away from the chasing peleton.  The going was a bit hot for Big Dick, who backed off and settled back into the Peleton. 

Keegan and Tony however stayed away  for much of the race.  With only 3 to go however, Keegan and Tony passed my position in the “Squircle” and when  I was lining them up for one of the fantastic action shots seen on this website,

 I noticed Keegan’s face grimaced with pain and I heard Tony scream out to him, “Take your foot out and shake it off”. They had slowed quite considerably and whilst this was happening, the peleton was inexorably closing the gap. 

The C Grade Peleton early in the race. Shaun Ballesty rolls to let our new National Champion, Brittany Orr, come through to do a turn. (Click on images for larger view)

 It wasn’t long before the Peleton had swallowed them up and Randwick Botany’s Wayne Goold then attacked.  Tony Caruanna was able to stay with the break but Keegan started to lose touch with the bunch.  Then it would appear that as quickly as this cramp came upon young Keegan it left him and in an almost miraculous feat, Keegan bridged the gap and was once again with the front C Grade bunch.  The final sprint was won by Anton Rivera of the Eastern Suburbs club, followed by Mark Deaves and Tony Caruana hung on for third place. 

	Towards the middle of the D Grade race, Scott Rice from the Randwick Botany club managed to get away and put a sizeable gap between himself and the Peleton.  Scott was out by himself for a couple of laps when Mark Taylor was able to get across to him and the pair worked together.
	About 2 laps to go however, the chasing peleton turned up the wick and chased down the two away riders.  I’m hoping that it was only a nasty rumour that Randwick Botany riders were seen at the front of the chasing peleton.

In any event commiserations to Scott who had spent much of the race out there by himself only to be caught with about 2 laps to go.  Mark Taylor was able to hang on to take first place in the sprint, followed by Ron Sproule and Craig Clement third.

There was plenty of action in E Grade with an unofficial grudge match sprint on lap 1 between Kev Blanchfield and Norman Jew.  Kev was able to edge out Norman in the sprint but the endurance of Norman saw him ride away from Kevin and eventually take the win.

There was a good roll up in the Junior ranks with some 14 junior riders competing.  All the kids posted good times with the Under 17’s doing a 5 lap individual time trial.  U15’s, 4 laps. U13’s, 3 laps and U11’s two laps.  The feature event of the day was a 5 lap handicap event  which saw Michael Murdoch (U17) just pip Adriano Maradini (U11) for the win right on the line with Luke Davison (U13) third. 

Randwick Botany Cycling Club conducts racing at Heffron Park, Maroubra NSW each Saturday throughout the year.  Juniors start at 1.00pm and Seniors 2.30pm.  For more information please contact the club secretary Helen Vella on 02 9667 3307 or email secretary@randwickbotanycc.com or website www.randwickbotanycc.com. 

Race report prepared by:
John Buckton ( Sorry - Tony had another engagement)
Pictures, movie and web layout

by John Buckton

Webmaster
Randwick Botany Cycling Club
Tony Horneman:  communications@randwickbotanycc.com

John Buckton:       webmaster@randwickbotanycc.com