Paraparap/"Roubaix" Race Results: 18th April 2009

A & B grade: A nervous combined A and B waited nervously Saturday morning for the start of the 2009 Paraparap-Roubiax. Facing nearly 60kms and two runs down the infamous Giddings-McPhees stretch of dirt, many riders were unsure as to what they would encounter and whether equipment, minds and bodies would be able to hold up in the up-coming punishment. Some where visualising the appalling crashes they had witnessed at last Sunday’s epic hell of the North.

The race started slowly, with the large bunch content to roll turns and conserve their energy for the nastier sections to come. The first time down Gray’s road visiting Footscray rider James McGuire attacked the bunch forcing a reaction from both up and coming young gun Brad Young and Oliver Kent-Spark.  After quickly reeling him in the bunch resumed it’s steady but sedated pace.

The second time up the Forest Road climb saw another attack by James which succeeded in splitting the bunch to pieces with only Brad Young and Rudolf Schmidt able to bridge across. The remaining riders quickly formed a large chase bunch, but James’ aggression seemed to be paying off with the trio working together to hold a disorganised peloton at a steady 200 metres.  The tail wind assisted third stretch up Gray’s roll saw Brad run out of gears on his Junior restrictions, dropping back to re-join the chasing pack.

Rudolf and James then made a critical mistake to destroy their advantage by ignoring the protesting marshall (Phil Spark) and take the left turn into Giddings road a lap too early. Race commissar Shaun Gilbert drove up besides the hapless duo to deliver the unhappy news. Rudolf then immediately punctured upon turning around and was forced to retire.  James was able to rejoin the bunch half a lap later.

The bunch turned onto their first stretch of dirt, and immediately fractured once hitting the loose stuff on McPhees road. Stewart Talbot and veteran John Burtt rode clear as several crashes ensured the destruction of the disheveled remnants behind.  Stewart and John formed a good pairing to hold off the chasers and hit the dirt together for the second and final time. John used his pace and race smarts to take the finish in his characteristic burst of speed 200 metres after the final turn to take his second line and B grade honours in as many weeks.

Stewart was the only rider from A grade to finish with James Fitzgerald retiring earlier in the race and automatically took the A grade win.

C Grade: Only three riders were brave enough to take to the road for C-grade Paraparap-Roubiax 2009. Long timer rider Lucas Snow took the time to line up and mentor the other two young starters. The three riders stuck together for most of the 50km race, content to swap slow steady turns.

C grade had the good fortune to only have to ride one lap on the dirt, and Lucas was happy to show the other two riders how such roads are ridden, immediately riding away.

Unfortunately for Lucas the loose gravel at one stage proved too much with Lucas riding off the road to get himself tangled in a spectating tree. Fortunately Lucas managed to disengage himself to rode home and take line honours ahead of his younger rivals.

This weeks race is the ANZAC Day 55km handicap at Paraparap. Race start is at 1.30pm, make sure you have your entry in the day before.

A grade: •1st Stewart Talbot
B grade: •1st John Burtt
C Grade: •1st Lucas Snow

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