Results 31 Jan 2004

Thanks to Ritchard Jenkins who deployed and retrieved all the safety equipment and Fred Vella who manned the canteen. Thanks to RJ from the St John Ambulance.

One hundred riders registered for racing at Heffron Park Maroubra on Saturday 31 January 2004 under clear skies and on-shore easterly breeze.

"It was a very interesting race, with many attacks, from many different riders. Anthony Spurgeon and myself were active in chasing down breaks all day. At times both of us struggled to chase and hold onto the last wheel of the bunch after counter-attacks went up the road.

Jersey Sowa was riding strongly, but was content mostly to let others chase. He looked like he may have been tired (out training earlier perhaps).

Anthony Spurgeon wondered on the start line whether his $10 entry fee should just go straight in Shaun Higgersons pocket, such was the awe surrounding Higgo.

Robbie Cater, Chris Jenkins, and Shaun Higgerson looked like they were going to work us all over, dressed professionally in their FRF gear. Higgo took off like a madman on the first lap and stayed away for a few laps, with the bunch working well together to chase him down (with no ease I might add – he was strong).

Then Pete MacDonald and another guy took off (not sure who the other guy was). The other guy came back to the bunch, and Pete stayed away til the finish. . The bunch averaged somewhere around 42km/h, and the wind was pretty strong, so Pete (the animal) MacDonald held the entire bunch off on his own til the finish. Another amazing ride.

Matt Lucas and Klayten Smith took off with 1 ½ laps to go – I went with them and barely hung onto Matt Lucas’ wheel as Klayten Smith pulled a 60km/h turn the whole length of the straight and down into the squircle. After that effort I was cactus and could only watch them ride off to certain placings. I rejoined the bunch across the pimples and slotted in a few wheels down. Coming down the finishing straight quite a few of the riders were lacking strength, or lacking motivation to sprint for 4^th place, so the sprint came down to Robbie Cater, Big Roger, and myself. I managed to roll Robbie and Roger in the last 15m before the line.

Crossing the line with a huge grin on my face and immense satisfaction at riding my 3^rd A-Grade race, completing my 1^st, and (minor) placing in my 1^st, I rolled around to warm down and thought about how I might go one place better next time."

	Brendan is right, team FRF did look fairly formidable on the startline. Here they are from left Chris "Spongee" Jenkins, Shaun "Higgo" Higgerson and Robert "Robbie" Cater.
	Matthew Lucas was pretty happy with his 3rd placing. On the line however, it was the stone cold glare of determination. If you click on and enlarge Matt's photo, have a look at who's reflected in his glasses. Seems he too had his eyes on a certain team

Well that's about it for A grade now to the other grades. In B Grade the pace was very fast also at 40kph average speed. Lots of riders went out the back. An excellent ride from Chris White for a well deserved second place. Not to take anything away from winner, Scott Ford from the Sutherland club but you are about half his age Scott. Good to see Kevin Black back racing again after a nagging injury. Almost on the podium Kev with an excellent 4th place (nothing wrong with fourths mate).

Good to see RBCC's Tyron Bicknell in the placings in C grade. Obviously enjoying the heightened level of fitness from our recent Jindabyne high altitude training camp.

The D graders are a little shy. The winner, Gus Silva had to coax the young lady in he photo onto the podium with him for the victory photograph. The other D grade place getters shot through.

Now if you are wondering why the A grade story is so extensive and why your grade has less than a paragraph, that would be because the A graders are very excited about sharing the race action with anyone who will listen to them whereas, with some of the other grades, we can't even get them to wait long enough to have their photo taken.

I am only too happy to put the highlights of your particular grade in the race report but I haven't got a crystal ball. You have to tell me about it as did Brendan Ingram above. Simple email is all that is required. Tony and my contact details are detailed below.

Junior racing will commence at 1pm on Saturday 7 February 2004, with an exciting new junior race programme developed by the Junior Development Committee. More information can be obtained from the Junior Support Co-ordinator Janette Murdoch.

Randwick Botany Cycling Club is proudly sponsored by Newington Inn – Petersham, DS Labels – Marrackville and Cheeky Monkey Cycle Company, Pitt Street Sydney and Velomax Wheel Systems.

Randwick Botany Cycling Club conducts racing at Heffron Park, Maroubra NSW each Saturday throughout the year. Juniors start at 1.00pm and Seniors 2.30pm. For more information please contact the club secretary Helen Vella on 02 9667 3307 or email secretary@randwickbotanycc.com