Club Races
A Eureka
Moment for Rod ...
Fyans Creek
Handicap
Monday 13th June 2010
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Rod
Heatherington |
... but not much gold followed. In
a closely fought finish, visiting Ballarat cyclist
Rod Heatherington just held off local rider Dean Hayward
to take out the Grampians Vets 44km handicap last Monday.
The race was held over the Fyans
Creek course around Lake Lonsdale in cool but calm
conditions.
Shirley Heatherington, riding off
19 minutes, led the field away, and kept her lead until
the 30km mark when she was joined by 12 minute riders
Meg Parnaby and John McIntyre.
Further back, 7 minute
riders Alan Barnett, Stuart King, Damian Rabl and Peter
Mayo rode solidly but were caught about half way by
the 5 and a half minute riders Peter Parnaby, Tony
Lloyd and Tony Rathgeber. These two bunches combined
and charged after the leading riders, catching them
about 8 kilometres from home.
Not far behind, 3 and
a half minute riders Crystal Wemyss, Gerard O’Brien
and Rod Heatherington were joined by 2 minute riders
Drew Gray, Dean Hayward and Drew Heard, and were closing
in on the larger bunch in front. Both bunches finally
came together with about 3 kilometres to go.
In the
final sprint, Rod Heatherington led the charge, and
got a small break on Dean Hayward, just holding him
out to clinch victory. Peter Parnaby crossed the line
third.
The scratch riders Frank Kean, Sean
Prins and Peter Wemyss could not find the fire power
to close on the groups in front, and finished shortly
after, with Prins taking out fastest time of 1 hour
and 9 minutes.
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