Club Races
Schneider Wins Xmas Handicap
Fyans Creek,
Sunday 6th December 2009
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Tim
Schneider |
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With almost
the entire field contesting the charge to the line,
scratch rider Tim Schneider blasted his way to victory
to take out the Grampians Vets Christmas Handicap,
held last Sunday.
The race
was conducted over a 44km circuit near Halls Gap,
completing a lap of Lake Lonsdale.
Schneider,
along with fellow scratch riders Frank Kean, Peter
Wemyss and Danny Monaghan took full advantage of
the calm mild conditions, setting a sizzling pace
to overhaul the 2 minute riders Gerard O’Brien,
Drew Heard, Dean Hayward and Sean Prins soon after
the half way mark.
Further
ahead, 4 minute riders Tony Lloyd, Peter Parnaby,
Geoff Richards and Alan Barnett had reeled in 7 minute
riders Peter Mayo, Les Power and Tom Eldridge half
way along the Sandbar Road, and had 10 minute riders
Meg Parnaby and Damian Rabl in their sights. Only
limit rider Larry Bales was still well clear.
The
whole field came together soon after McCracken’s
Hill, with about 12km to go, and over the last 5
kilometres there were repeated attempts by various
riders to break away, but all attempts were quickly
chased down.
Half way
down the final straight the pace really picked up,
with Schneider using his strength and speed to break
clear and take the victory by 2 bike lengths from
Alan Barnett, with Peter Parnaby third and Drew Heard
fourth.
Schneider
also recorded the fastest time of the day, of 1 hour
7 minutes, with an average speed of about 40kph.
End
of year presentations saw Sean Prins named Most Improved
Rider, and Drew Heard earned both Rider of the Year
as well as taking out the Aggregate. Gerard
O'Brien was runner up in the Aggregate.
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