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Mildura-Coomealla Cycling Club
February 15, 2004
Tankard too hot
By Peter Winton (perspiring still, 3 hours later)
Mildura's weather is the predominant race factor at the moment. Saturday's extreme of 46 degrees and an o'night minimum of 30 degrees recorded at 7am making the road conditions, well, you can imagine. The humidity at 9am was 38% with a slight SSE breeze, hardly noticeable.
Today's race was held on the riverfront circuit referred to as the "Ornamental Lakes" where the Hot Air Balloons light up during the World Hot Air Ballooning competition and where the "Day on the Green" has been held. It's also the location for any travelling circus. Yes, you could say some of us might look like clowns !
The separation of riders into 2 divisions today was an attempt to elevate those with strong results in recent times (obviously too strong and fit for the average local B grade rider) and also to expose them to the energy required to compete with the Club's elite. It wasn't without complaint either.
The levels could even be extended further perhaps with one more division in the middle. However, a good field of 17 overall came out to sweat (by the litre!) with 8 in Div 1 and 9 in Div 2. Nathan Welsh made a welcome return to the fray and it was his fresh legs that carried him to a win in Div 2, just managing to outride Richard Hale in the "bell lap". A promising sight was the presence of Darren Bray on the sidelines astride a new Bianchi. Seems Darren is getting keen again, once race fit he could add significant competition within the sprinters ranks.
President Mulhearn opting for a sedentary role at the judge's table. Well, anyone fresh off a 180km ride the day before earns a day-off (prep. for Forster Iron-Man).
In Div 1 it was the maestro, Kevin Tankard who simply rode a relentless pace and slipped away from his bunch without really any noticeable attack. Dion Bassi-Anstee managed to kiss the bitumen at the Chaffey bridge turn around point. Rider and bike are still together.
In both divisions an obvious gap in abilities and fitness levels between the top 2-4 and the rest was noticeable.
The nature of this circuit, with a double ended "hot-dog" turns, suits strong, nimble riders. Richard Hale (Div 2) seems to excel on this circuit as Club records will indicate. No injuries to Div 2 riders except some cardiac distress and serious dehydration (which requires an afternoon remedial action plan of sipping Carlton Cold).
Next weeks events include a 1-lap (8km) time-trial at Riverside (remember what they are?) and then next Sunday the Club is on show at the Emergency Services Triathlon at 10:30am with a 40 minute criterium (scratch). Kevin Tankard being the defending winner of both the triathlon and the crit.
At the time of writing, 1pm, the temp is 42.8 degrees (just thought you'd like to know).
Results, 40 minute point score
Div 1 1 Kevin Tankard 2 Mark Busch 3 Steve Fenwick 4 Nathan Summerhayes 5 Scott Giles 6 Dion Bassi-Anstee 7 Brendan Liddle 8 Ian Beruldsen Div 2 1 Nathan Welsh 2 Richard Hale 3 Peter Doody 4 Peter Winton 5 Rob Akkermans 6 Barry Pollock 7 Greg Scott 8 Jack Lokan 9 Kris Cerini
