Club Races
Bennett Wins Shortened Race
Stawell Racecourse
- Sunday 12th August 07
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Jamie
Bennett |
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Fine but cool conditions greeted
the small field of 8 riders that fronted at the Stawell
Racecourse for what was supposed to be a 62km race.
A warming morning sun countered the
gentle but cool southerly wind, a pleasant change from
the cold cloudy days of winter.
Due to the lack of
numbers, a decision was made to shorten the race to
40kms. Instead
of racing to Pomonal, it was unanimously voted to
race out along the Halls Gap Road and return via
Lake Fyans and the Pomonal Road.
Limit Riders Les Power and Tania Walter
were given an 8 minute 45sec advantage over scratch.
Walter was in charge of the hills whilst Power was
best on the descents.
Second scratch riders Jamie Bennett, Tom Eldridge
and Tim Schneider started 1 minute 30sec before the
scratch riders. This threesome worked impressively
together. Eldridge can always be relied on to work
hard for the benefit of others. Schneider, motivated
by the Tour de France, rode strongly after spending
only 1 week training on the bike. Bennett, who attended
footy training during the week but was unable to get
on the bike, easily powered up Donovans Winery Hill
to catch the limit riders in the last 3km of the event.
Scratch riders, Allan Barnett,
Frank Kean and Daryl Elliott put in an impressive
effort averaging 37.2kph over the course. They
flew home, travelling around the last bend at 55
kph in a last ditch effort to catch Bennett, Schneider
and Walter, but failed to catch the leaders by only
15 metres, making the finish very exciting.
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Click
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Left
to right - Tania Walter, Daryl Elliott, Tim Schneider,
Jamie Bennett |
Bennett was the strongest in his group
up the last hills and deservedly placed 1st in a sprint
finish, with Walter second and Schneider third. Daryl
Elliott was awarded fastest time.
Thanks go to Gayle Barnett for time keeping and Allan
Barnett for the fantastic handicapping.
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