Taylor Triumphant on Season Opener

Eliminations Criterium (Race to the Sun substitute event), Airport Circuit, Sunday 4 October 2009

Taylor Triumphant on Season Opener

Mildura-Coomealla Cycling Club staged its first event of the Summer racing program on the closed Airport driver training circuit on Sunday 4 October. The programmed event was to be the annual teams based Race to the Sun event, however insufficient participants meant that the race was not able to proceed in that format. In substitution, the club trialled an eliminations style criterium for both the senior and junior fields as a prelude to 2 other similarly styled events scheduled later in the season. The basic ground rules for the eliminations criterium were -
• Mass start, with points awarded by grade
• Whistle blown at the start of lap 15 for seniors (lap 10 for juniors) to signify the commencement of the first elimination lap
• Last rider to cross the finish line at the completion of lap 15 for seniors (lap 10 for juniors) is eliminated
• Each subsequent lap, the last rider to cross the line is eliminated
• The last rider to survive is declared the winner
• Eliminated riders are not permitted to continue in the race once eliminated

The event attracted 14 senior riders and 9 junior riders. Weather conditions were fine with temperatures ranging from 8 to 12 degrees with a light south westerly breeze keeping conditions cool but ideal for racing.

The day opened with the junior riders taking to the field shortly after 9:00am. By the end of the first lap the field had already started to splinter across the course. The first to succumb to the lap 10 gong was Bridget, followed successively thereafter by Lachlan, Martin, Megan and Bevan. The next to go was Alana but being firmly in the "zone" she defiantly held on for another 3 laps in order to keep the remaining 3 competitors honest (either that or she might find a hearing aid under the Christmas tree this year!). Next to go was Thomas Allford leaving Tyler and Thomas Henderson to duel it out for a sprint finish with Thomas claiming line honours.

The senior field then got underway in a mass start and it wasn't long before the bunch split as the pressure was applied from the front. The first eliminated rider at the completion of lap 15 was Shane Martin, followed thereafter by Mick Allford and the father son combination of Ben and Tom Athorn. This was a good effort from Ben in his first race in the senior ranks. Lap 19 saw the elimination of Taryn who was completing her first ever criterium. Taryn will no doubt use this experience to increasingly put pressure on her rivals over the rest of the season. Gary Pitt was the next to depart amid the confusion of knowing what position he was in the field. The next riders to exit were Arthur, Rob, Andrew and Nathan leaving the four A grade riders to battle it out for the places. Phillips was edged out in the sprint to complete lap 26 after Hale made an early bid not to get caught up in the traffic rounding the corner before the line. Henderson was the next to fall leaving Hale and Taylor to contest the last lap. The exertions of the previous 2 sprints left Hale no choice to donate the final lap to the in-form Taylor who comfortably crossed the line to take the win. The senior field and Chief Scrutineer were appreciative of Richard's effort to ensure his new saddle remained firmly fixed to the seat-post for the duration of the race. Apparently the new technology employed in the advanced aerofoil winged design of Richard's saddle makes it susceptible to flying off once enough lift is generated.

The club would like to thank our race secretaries Penny and Julianne for a great job in administering the added complexity of the eliminations process. The experience of this trial event will mean that several improvements can be made in time for the next event. Thanks also to Murray Langley for helping also with marshalling and together with Nathan for race set-up as well as to Gary Pitt for bringing along the trailer and showing everyone how to operate the new generator.

The next race will be the 20km individual time trial held on the out and back Meridian Road circuit on Sunday 11 October 2009. Richard Hale and Mick Allford are on race set-up duty.


Results:

Juniors (placings):
1. Thomas Henderson
2. Tyler Beruldsen
3. Thomas Allford
4. Alana Hale
5. Bevan Henderson
6. Megan Hale
7. Martin Ryan
8. Lachlan Ryan
9. Bridget Hale

Seniors (placings):

1. Dean Taylor
2. Richard Hale
3. Gary Henderson
4. Mark Phillips
5. Nathan Langley
6. Andrew Ryan
7. Rob Akkermans
8. Arthur Anderson
9. Garry Pitt
10. Taryn Heather
11. Tom Athorn
12. Ben Athorn
13. Michael Allford
14. Shane Martin