A Grade

Stokie's Scenic Rd Sessions pay off at Steiglitz!

Recent early training hill sessions on Scenic road certainly paid dividends for James Stokie at this weeks Geelong Cycling Club "Maude" A Grade scratch race. Both A and B grades started together, with A taking on the hills 3 times (60k's) and B grade 2 times (40k's).

Within minutes of the start Darren Gray and Chris Fry attacked hard, splitting the grades in two.  Out of Steiglitz for the first time, Chris Fry attacked again and managed to hold a good 100m lead for well over a lap on the rest of the riders.

Coming into the final lap, James Stokie and Carl Britton (all the way from Bright) managed to bridge across to Chris Fry. The critical move in the race came when Carl attacked over the final climb out of Steiglitz, with only James Stokie able to go with him. The two swapped turns all the way back to ensure they stayed away, with James attacking with a 100meters to go to take line honours, managing to hold off Carl for 2nd and Chris crossing the line for 3rd a minute further back.

Results

• 1st James Stokie
• 2nd  Carl Britton
• 3rd Chris Fry
• 4th Scott Gavens
• DNF Darren Gray

B Grade

As mentioned above, B Grade started with A Grade and it wasn’t long before we saw the stronger riders put pressure on the others.  Matt McDonough was in a league of his own breaking clear from the bunch half way into the first lap.  Daryl Sutter saw an opportunity to go with Matt but decided that safety would be with the bunch and was back with the bunch just before the Steiglitz decent.  

By this time Shaun Gilbert, Felicity Wilson, Simon Masters and David Lay (making his b grade debut) had been dropped from the others and had to struggle their way through the rest of the race.  

Up in front Matt proved his training is coming along nicely taking out the victory easy and earning himself a place in A grade next race.  Brad Young, Steve Del Gallo and Daryl Suter where left to fight out the finish with Brad again taking a 2nd place and Steve rounding out the placings.

Results

• 1st Matt McDonough
• 2nd Brad Young
• 3rd Steve Del Gallo
• 4th Daryl Sutter
• 5th Shaun Gilbert
• 6th Felicity Wilson
• 7th David Lay
• DNF Simon Masters 

C Grade
 
Saw 5 club first timers line up which was great to see.  Welcome Paul Hughes, Mark Harvey, Rebecca Shaw, Richard Szmidel and Thomas Szmidel.  Picking Maude as a first race is gutsy and tough.  Congratulations all of them, hope to see you all back soon…

12 starters toed the line for C grade and it wasn’t long before Laurence Kop and Natasha Langydyk had a gap of 20 metres on the rest of the field.  Lisa Happ decided that bthis move was not on and pulled the group back to the lead bunch.  Not long after the 2 leaders picked the tempo up again and the group started to spread out.  

About 5km into the first lap the lead bunch was already down to 5 riders.   Laurence Kop picked up the tempo again and this saw Mark Harvey go with him with Natasha and Lisa about 5 metres back.  Lisa again dug deep and got herself across to the lead 2 riders.  

 A troubled Natasha then fell back from the lead group and was eventually caught by the duelling Andrew Scott and Vincent Glynn on the second lap, this pair quickly moving past. But Natasha immediately responded and, while able to stick with Vincent, was unable to match the pace of Andrew, who pulled away in a secure fourth spot that he maintained till the flag. Meanwhile, the struggle for supremacy between Vincent and Natasha ultimately went the latter's way and she steadily edged away to claim fifth, ahead of Vincent, who was trailed home by seventh-placed newcomer Rebecca Shaw. DNFs were Tomas and Richard Szmidel, Jonathon Meadows and Paul Hughs

It was same again with Laurence proving he was too strong for the others on the hilly course and pulled away again this time with Lisa on his wheel.  Lisa tried her luck half way up the Steiglitz climb to no avail.   Laurence proved far too strong taking his first club victory with Lisa a close second and new rider Mark Harvey in Third.

 Results

• 1st Laurence Kop
• 2nd Lisa Happ
• 3rd Mark Harvey
• 4th Andrew Scott
• 5th Natasha Langydyk
• 6th Vincent Glynn
• 7th Rebecca Shaw
• DNF Thomas Szmidel
• DNF Richard Szmidel
• DNF Jonathon Meadows
• DNF Paul Hughs

Next week we head out to Winchelsea for the Kermese.  It’s a 4 km circuit that should provide some good close racing.  Depending on numbers we will be running a D grade.  Our intention will be to have one club member acting as a mentor in this bunch and providing some coaching/tips along the way.  D Grade will be a controlled race/ride simular to the come try day.  This will ensure all riders get a fair ride and hopefully some tips along the way.  

If you are a first timer and interested in getting involved please log onto the club website and register you interest, alternatively contact the club via This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .