Club Races
Bennett Wins Shortened Race
Stawell Racecourse - Sunday 12th August 07

	Jamie Bennett

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.

Click to enlarge

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.