Saul Pasque Memorial

January 14, 2010

Riders and families from Geelong to Port Fairy and all points in between gathered to celebrate a life cut short. Saul Pasque of Camperdown was killed while training at Ceres near Geelong on January 18 2005 aged 31 so a memorial ride in his name has been conducted annually to honor his memory.

Saul was a popular young man about Geelong where he spent considerable it seems lured by the considerable charms of our own Felicity Wilson, quite understandable.

 

Consequently GCC was well represented by Elite Woman, Felicity Wilson, Vice President John Burtt, Handicapper, James Fitzgerald, Committeemen, Lucas Snow and Adrian Fry, new member Paul Baretta and to underline the regard in which this race is held, International, Tim Wilson saddling up for the first time in five years.

Names familiar to your correspondents’ ears rang out from the start list including Hatelys, Pickles’ and Caine, Chris Caine defying age, condition and despite being there for a social ride could not overcome the old competitive urges and romped away for a clear win and cleaning up the masters trophy to boot.

Five bunches of up to 10 riders each over some 8 minutes took to the flat fast 16k Chocolyn Block. Riders were shed in a steady stream succumbing to the furious pace. Third scratch included the Wilson siblings, much to the delight of younger sister Felicity and it was good to see some brotherly love with a hand in the back to roll over and the offering of a lead out in the sprint for the line. However, a race is a race and when Felicity faltered there was no way Tim was going to let an old bloke beat him and be assured, the old bloke tried.

Limit was caught by the following bunch but back in the field little else changed and the Scratch bunch, though providing fastest time to Camperdown Club President Dylan Hately, couldn’t overcome their handicap.

What would any club give for a James Fitzgerald.

This event truly is a celebration, a joy to be part of and highly recommended. Clearly an emotional moment for the Pasque Family yet they are fully immersed in proceedings, Brother Levi spoke eloquently, Mum Barb waved the checkered flag and the Pasque home was opened for a BBQ tea after presentations.

Camperdown is a little over an hour from Geelong provided you don’t follow Donny Wilson so arrive an hour early and warm up by summiting Mount Leura for a spectacular 360 degree panorama of the district. Fantastic.

John Burtt