Thursday, October 15, 2009

Banks Thargo Wines South West Series Summary

The 2009 Banks Thargo South West Series has been an outstanding success this year.
With 195 different Riders from over 12 clubs participating through out the season.
Stuart Robinson has emerged the outright winner of the series with 285 points in total.
Stuart a fitting jersey holder in his return year has been the most consistent performer of the year.
His win came down to the line with Matty Gstrien from camperdown finishing just a few points behind after the final race.
Monica Kelly from Horsham also a worthy winner of the females jersey coming 12th overall in the series as well.

The Most successful club was Mount Gambier having 47 club members participating throughout the series, Hamilton came a close second only 32 points behind, while Hamilton had a smaller amount of competitors they had a very successful year with 6 of their riders finishing in the top 10, Port Fairy came 3rdthen camperdown came in 4th.

Next year we need to get a few more Mount riders and Camperdown riders to travel and we will have quite large fields at each event!

With over 195 participants there is a large pool of riders to draw from for any club promoting an event.

I can see no reason at all why there couldnt be over 100 riders at a few of next years events, perhaps the 1 casterton 40, 2 june long weekend or 3 anzac day where there is 1 hard race, 2 good weekend 3 good prizemoney along with the frank long.
Any way thats a thaught for individual clubs to keep in mind for next year each event in the South West series has been a good event, all for different reasons.
The last event the Camperdown Classic has the best finish of any event in the South West Series! the finish alone is reason enough to put it on next years must do list!

To all Clubs that have hosted races well done and to all participants in the events well done.

I know there are a few more mount Gambier Riders that are keen to travel to quite a few more events next year.

If any one can think of a way to get all 195 riders at the same place on the same day let us know, then we will have a race!

I will post the final points table for both riders and clubs soon.

Camperdown Classic

The final event in the South West series, the "Camperdown Classic" was held on the 3rd of october 2009.
The event a fitting final for the South West Series, a demanding course with a finish more suited to the Climbers and stronger riders.
The climbs ath the final few km's of the event up Sadlers road and Caravan park hills decided the placings for the event and ensured if there were to be a sprint it would be only a very select few contesting the win.

The field was divided into 5 bunches, and as with all of this years South West Series events the marks set by the handicapper were well set.
Although the outmarkers broke up the remaining bunches stayed together and worked well

The entire field had not come together with only 5km to go but scratch and second scratch had the leading bunch of 4 riders in their sight.
Dispite a gallant effort from these outmarkers including series leader Stuart Robinson second scratch had the strength to close that gap and Luke Agget from Port Fairy took line honours just catching in the final climb.

Placings, 1st Luke Agget Port Fairy, 2nd Travis Greening , 3rd Rohan Creed, 4th Roland Evans, 5th Stuart Robinson, 6th Laurie Peak, 7th Grant Oats, 8th David Tozer, 9th Simon Walsh, 10th Laurie Paltridge.

Monday, September 28, 2009

current points table

If you click on comments below you can see a complete list of riders and the overall aggregate.

This weekend Stuart Robinson has to start and finish the race for his 10 points, Matty Gstrien could theoretically win outright, so the Camperdown race will be an interesting wind up to the series, good luck to both of them and hopefully there will be no mechanical failures or punctures to hold eithor of them up.

All of the riders in the top 10 have not only been consistent competitors they have performed well, Stuart Robinsons effort this year in his first year back has been outstanding.
Hope to see a good turn out at Camperdown, and good luck to all the riders.

Who will get the series, Matt has the Home town advantage, and Stuart has the determination!

belated south west update

Here is a brief summary of South West Series racing since the casterton 40.
There has been 4 races, Coleraine Iga 40km loop, Gorae West Classic, Colac race and the Glen Cooke at hamilton.

The Coleraine event was dominated by the back markers, a windy and hilly loop was suited to the stronger riders, Scratch had reeled the entire field in at the half way mark.
Schultz showed his strength bt taking first and fastest. Andy Graham and the Matty Gstrien hot on his wheel.

Gorae west was a day for the front markers, once again conditions looked suitable for the strong men, but the back markers had a smaller bunch, and with witmitz from scratch and Matty Gstrien from the block both out with punctures the event realy did favour the front riders with Mark Mclaren (Port Fairy) from limit taking 1st, Mellissa Mckinlay 2nd and Spek3rd.

All I have from the Colac race is the results so here they are 1st Cameron Shaw, 2nd and I presume fastest Richie Belleville 3rd Matty gstrien looks like scratch and the block stole that one!

The Glen Cooke had a small field start, just under 30 riders. the weather was horrendous with strong winds and a very cool day.
Conditions pointed to the back markers once again.
Lannigan had decided to give schultz a 2minute gap to bridge as a lone scratch rider, an indication of schultzes percieved strength.

second scratch had a group of 5 riders, Matty gstrien looked to be the strongest rider in that bunch.
As the race unfolded second scratch put up a great fight and managed not only to hold off Brendon schuktz, but Matty Gstrien from the block managed to get time replicating his brothers effort in the same event last year.
Mat only managwed to get time by 8 seconds, another indication of the strength of Brendon Schulz.
1 chasing a bunch of 5 and only just missing out on fastest time is an outstanding effort especially under the conditions!

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Hamilton Fairing Well in SWS

After recieving 2 copies of the "Hamilton Spectator" and reading the articles regarding the Banks thargo South West Series and the Up and coming Hamilton 75, I have to agree with the comments published bt The Spectator!

Especially after witnessing Gary Pollack convincingly taking line honours in the Hamilton 75 under Less than favourable conditions for a road race!

You would all have to agree with the "Hamilton Spectator"! Hamilton is doing exceptionally well in the series!

I will simply quote headlines, Thursday July 2nd 2009 front page sports index Quote

"LEADING THE PACK"

Full page article on back of same publication the article headline "DOMINATION"

For the benefiet of everyone that has not seen the publication there is also a half page picture of Stuart Robinson sporting the Banks Thargo Leaders Jersey sitting back to back with Darren Sheldon.

Outstanding publicity for Cycling and Banks Thargo Wines!
also a pic of Alex Bosch with a Bicycle Superstore Jersey placed on right hand side of page, also from Hamilton also happens to be leading the Junior SWS leader board!

I guess the lesson for all of us is, consistency pays!

For the full leader board check in comments under the Casterton 40 it has been finally posted.
Click on comments under this post for the top 15, possibly you will notice that Hamilton has featured quite well in the top 15!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

George Gill Casterton 40

The Annual George Gill Casterton 40 was held on Saturday the 14th of June.
The 64 km course led the field of 52 riders from Casterton out to Digby and back to Casterton.
Peter Radcliff from Portland crossed the line first, but the line honours were closely contested by Steven Mutch from Mt Gambier & Darren Sheldon from Hamilton, the trio sprinted fiercly for the line. The three place getters broke away from the rest of their bunch at the top of Sanford hill. With around 13 riders chasing all the way home.
The top ten all came from the 18 minute and 12 1/2 minute bunches, it was pleasing to see 4 of these being from Hamilton. Darren Sheldon Showed guts and determination, to come 3rd, Dean Mclaren leadingthe chasing bunch back home came 5th, Stuart Robinson continueing his good form came 7th & Mark Hermon came in 9th.
Nick Cockrel, young rider fromHamilton Cycling Club won all three preme sprints during the race.
Fastest time honours were won once again by Brendon schultz of Hamilton, in a time just outside the course record he set the previous year.

Results, Peter Radcliff ptl 1st Steven Mutch MG 2nd, Darren Sheldon HAM 3rd, Thomas Tower CLC 4th, Dean Mclaren Hamilton 5th, David Jones MG 6th, Stuart Robinson HAM 7th, Steven Jones MG 8th, Mark Hermon HAM 9th, Steven Kelly Hrs 10th.
Fastest Time B Schultz HAM 1 hour 46mins.

This Report Courtesy of the Hamilton Cycling club, who would have guessed!

Well done to all ofthe top 3 riders a decisive move and well earnt palcings!

A couple of things I would like to add to the above report, Nick Cockrel who rode with me from the 25 minute mark rode exceptionally well, unfortunatelly he clipped a wheel and came off on the Sanford hill. I feel if it were not for this accident he would have also featured in the placings.
The move of the race Had to be when Steven mutch from Mt Gambier went on the Sanford Hill, of the bunch of 18 riders only 2 others could match the pace on the hill, young Nick Cockrel was a "Victim" of the "slowdown" at the back of this bunch!

I think the "Guts & Determination" comment posted above comes in at this point of the race.

Great to see a move like this not so great to be at the back of the bunch when it happens!

Juniors Race
Five Juniors riders contested the 15km junior race, which was contested out the Dunrobin Road, starting at the Small bore rifle range in Casterton.
Mount Gambier under 17 rider Sam Dwyer won convincingly riding from scratch, With Alex Bosch J15 Ham coming 2nd, from 2nd Scratch.
Results, 1st & Fastest Samm Dwyer MG 25mins 26 seconds, 2nd Alex Bosch, 3rd Dylan Lyndsay.
If you didnt get "Enough" at the Casterton 40, see you at the Casterton 50, you get to do the juniors course then the seniors as well, now thats value for your money!
Click on comments below for aggregate.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Very Wet long Weekend of Racing

The Queens Birthday Weekend of Cycling once again seems to have been a success.
Although a very wet weekend, each of the 3 events, The "Greg Gleeson", "Greame Woodrup" & "Stan Mcphee" were all very well attended.
The "Greame Woodrup" hosting the largest field for the weekend.

Saturdays event the "Greg Gleeson" was well won by Monica Kelly from Horsham, Monica rode off limit at 22mins. Limit although losing 2 riders early in the race were able to combine well, once 2nd limit made the catch there were enough workers to keep this bunch away.
second over the line was Mark Hermon (Hamilton) 3rd Stewart Robinson (Hamilton)
Fastset time once again Brendon Schultz (Hamilton)

The Greame Woodrup at Port Fairy was almost a carbon copy of Saturdays event.
2nd limit 25 mins stayed away for around 50km of the race, although back to 4 riders working a good pace was maintained. Once second limit 17mins caught the two groups were able to hold off any chashers for the line honours.
Stewart Robinson (Hamilton) showed his strength by driving the leading bunch right to the finish, even though only 3 riders were still working from about 4km out, Stewart one of them he still had power to hold off any of the would be "sprinters" in the bunch at the Finishline.
1st Stewart Robinnson 2nd Melissa Mckinlay (Mt Gambier) 3rd Gordon Cramm (Mt Gambier)
Fastest time went to Brendon Schultz (Hamilton), Brendon crossed the line 1min 42 seconds after the leading bunch.

The Stan Mcphee once again was looking like an outmarkers day, both Erick Gstrien and i had Picked Mark Mclaren as the winner in the unlikely event that the remaining 4 riders from limit would get up.
Limit stayed away for well over 3/4 of race distance, then once caught by the following two bunches that had combined and set an even pace, Mark Mclaren was the only limit rider to have the strength to hold on to that bunch.
Once back on to the last run back up to the finishline it was inevitable that today was going to be a middle markers day.
This group was thrown into confusion at the Falls circuit turn when some one indicated another lap was required, some riders turned some stopped, after discussion the bunch rolled up to the line, however as the Warrnambool Standard reported Mark Mclaren from limit got the Win, through his counting ability!
The backmarkers who had David Tozae and Brendon Schultz both trying to make a break for the fastest time honour, although Tozer and Matty Gstrien were able to get away and establish a sizable gap, these two also got involved in the confusion, once again Brendon Schultz took fastest time.

After much deliberation between officials and riders the order that riders crossed the line was the accepted finishing order.
1st Mark Mclaren, (Hamilton) 2nd Richard Schilling (Mount Gambier) 3rd Arno Vanderschans (camperdown)

In Summary the whole weekend was a good weekend of racing, although quite wet and cold, all events well attended.
Port Fairy recorded 100mm of rain over the weekend and Warrnambool 90mm of rain, the wettest day being the Monday.
Both Monica Kelly who is the current female leader in the SWS and Stewart Robinson the current male rider leader in the SWS had well earned wins on the weekend, congratulations to Mark Mclaren for "Out Foxing his rivals on Monday.
The Warrnambool Standard and the Moyne Gazette both had good write ups about the weekend of racing and there are a few Pictures available by looking at the Wannramboool Standards website.

The Next Event in The South West Series will be the Casterton 40, one of the toughest and always well contested events in the series.

The full leader board can be viewed by clicking on comments below this post.
Both Stewart Robinson (Male Riders) & Monica Kelly (Female riders) have a firm hold on their respective positions, consistnecy will help them stay ahead but there is enough races left in the series for them to lose That spot!
It also appears we have had over 160 roders compete in the series at this stage, not including the juniors, so we have seen nearly 200 competitors in this series.

Monday, May 25, 2009

June Long Weekend, 3days of racing!

Dont Forget June Long weekend, the next three South West Series races "3 in a row"

Greg Gleeson, Warnambool sat 6th june 2.00 pm start, 68km Wangoom,
Nominations, Mark Hyland, 03 55628423 or mhyland@sjwbool.balrt.catholic.edu.au

Graham Woodrup Memorial, 7th june Port fairy Showgrounds 11.00 am start
Nominate rnbelleville@westvic.com.au

Stan Mcphee monday 8th june Warrnambool (Wangoom) start 11.00 am 62km

Nominations once again to Mark Hyland.

Nominations Close Monday 2nd of June

There will be junior racing on each of the days as well.

So far we have had well over 100 participants in the South West Series, counting the Juniors probably over 150.

The ideal thing to happen would be to have all of these riders turn up on the same day for the same race! This weekend would be the ideal weekend do all three! no reason at why we couldnt have 100 starters at one of the events.

Rumor has it though the two "strong men" Tozer & Schultz of the series will be off elsewhere racing, will be a big advantage for evereyone else on this weekend!

Good luck to them both on the weekend as well.

My Suggestion to all those riders wishing to travel, stay at least one night, I am aware of a few that will be risiding at Port Fairy for the weekend and doing all three.
An all win situation, holiday with races each day what more could you want!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

The "Hamilton To Port Fairy"

The 28th annual "Doug Pettingel Memorial" Hamilton To Port Fairy Cycling Road Race became the 57km Byaduck to Port Fairy due to bridge works on the Road.
Apart from this slight hiccup the race was held in ideal conditions, with a slight head wind and overcast Sky.

The handicapper divided the field into 7 bunches, Scratch with a bunch of 4 conceeding 18 minutes to limit with a bunch of 8.

Limit rode well enough to stay away to around the 30 km mark when 2nd limit caught and the two bunches worked extremely well with all riders contributing to the work load for most of the remaining race distance.

At the back of the field, the 5 minute bunch caught the 7 minute bunch and as with the front markers this group also combined well, they caught the 10 minute bunch who had been in "No-mans land" for most of the race , but this group were unable to catch the outmarkers to contest the win, apparentlythe 7minute bunch came over the line with an average above 40kmph, this speed enabled them to hold off scratch for the enitre race.

Bruce Mclaughlin Mount Gambier, (13 mins) out sprinted the front markers for 1st place followed by Monica Kelly Horsham (18)mins in second place.

1st Bruce McLaughlin Mt Gambier
2nd Monica Kelly Horsham
3rd Mark Mclaren Hamilton
4th Niel Hyland Warrnabool
5th Dale Cummins Warrnambool



In the comments section below I have posted the over all leaders for the Juniors section of the South West Series, Courtesy of Nikki Belleville.

The Seniors Leader board is also posted directly below Juniors in the comments section.

The long weekend in June will be the next part of the South West Series, Warrnambool Saturday Greg Gleeson, Port fairy Sunday Greame Woodrup, Warrnambool Monday Stan Mcphee.

Great Part of Vic to spend a weekend! Good Food Good Scenery, entertainment, the whole box and dice, every thing there for all the family and 3 races as well what more could you want! See you all there...................................Rumor has it that the "Strong Men" Tozer & Schultz will be away at Bendigo that weekend, so the series leader board could change dramatically over these three days.

Bilney wins Frank Long Classic

69 Senior & 18 Junior Riders turned out for the 59th staging of the "Frank Long" .
An event which honours the late frank long a promising young back marker from the Hamilton Club.

The field for the senior's event was divided into 10 bunches, with the 2 scratchmen David Tozer Pt. Fairy & Brendan Schutz Hamilton giving 15 minutes to the limit riders.
The Race turned out to be a front Markers day aslo the race for time in this years race went to the "Block" riders with 16 year old Xavier Gstrien taking that honour, according to the official time keeper, second scratch only put 8 seconds on to the scratch riders ride time.
Schultz & Tozer easily being the two stand out strong men in district racing this year, the Handicappers decision was a wize one on the day, while scratch didnt get "Time" the two of them chasing a much larger second scratch off 30 seconds,with 7 riders and only losing 8 seconds is indicative of the current form of thes two riders.

The 9-minute bunch Bilney Mt Gambier, Robinson Hamilton, Earl Mt Gambier, Mclaren Hamilton, O'Donnel Portland, Lewis Hamilton combined well and picked up the 12 minute bunch just after the turn at the 1/2 way mark and then picked up limit about 10 km from the line.

These riders were able to stay away to the line and with Bilney in the leading bunch, one of the most experienced finishers in the district, a win was inevitable, Bilney won several Australian roadracing Titles as a younger rider.
While Ray in now his 60's may not be riding from scratch, he is always an exciting rider to watch leading up to a finishline if he is still "in the mix"

Final placings for the Frank Long

1st Ray Bilney Mount Gambier
2nd Matthew Opdecoul Horsham
3rd Mark Mclaren Hamilton
4th Monica Kelly Horsham
5th Stuart Robinson Hamilton
6th Mark Jehu Colac
7th Niel O'donnel Portland
8th Howard Bartlett Mount Gambier
9th Roger lewis Hamilton
10th Steven Kelly Horsham
Fastest time Xavier Gstrien Camperdown, (30 seconds) 48 minutes 59 sconds
JUNIORS RACING
IN J11/13
10 KM HANDICAP EVENT,
Ashleigh Hocking Warrnambool first & fastest at20 mins 30 seconds, Bradey Scouler Warrnambool 2nd Bailey belleville Port Fairy 3rd
J 15/17
20 KM HANDICAP EVENT
Dylan Lyndsey Portland 1st, Stacey Hocking Warrnambool 2nd Kieran Schnieder Horsham 3rd
Fastest Time Lachlan Nolte Portland a very respectable 31 minutes & 13 seconds, obvously a rider to watch in years to come!
In the South West Series Agregate
Heath Riley Hamilton stil has a strong hold on the number one spot for the males in the seniors, with quite a few more than capable riders, including several scratchmen and a few front markers within reach of the leaders jersey, things should hot up as the series progresses.
The Females leaders jersey has passed from Nicole Everett from Camperdown to Monica Kelly from Horsham, Monica is now 7 points ahead of both Nicole and Melissa Mckinlay from Mt Gambier & with 2 Port fairy races and 2 Warrnambool Races in the coming weeks expect to see Kate winnen from Pt Fairy in the mix as well!
For the full points table click on the Comments below.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Soldiers Memorial Anzac day 2009

The 4th race of the South West Series, The "Soldiers Memorial" was held on april 25th 2009.
The conditions were extreme with over 10mm of precipitation falling within 1 hour of start time.
Quite a few riders were not keen to start the race while others were going to race regardless of conditions.
Juniors
The weather appeared to be breakingup around start time, so the juniors race started on time with 7 riders competing. Not long after the start the weather turned sour once again, with another heavy downpour and wind gusts up to 40kmph making for difficult riding conditions.
Alex Bosch (Ham) 1st Sam Dwyer (MG) 2nd &Fastest, Zac Kain (MG) 3rd
Seniors
With over 60 noms for the 'Soldiers" even the inclement weather didnt reduce the field too much with only a hand full of scratchings, a very respectable 54 riders lining up for the start.
The Handicapper Mr Scott Noonan divided the field into 9 bunches with limit getting a 20 minute start.
The weather conditions pointed toward a back markers day, and thats the way it panned out.
With a few scratchings from the front of the field & several "Missed starts" most of the front & middle bunches had trouble in the strong head and cross winds on the way out.
the 9-minute bunch with 6 riders, combined well as did the 7min 30 second bunch, with Jason Crowe, (9 mins) & Richard Woods (7.30 mins) driving their respective bunches to the 1/2 way mark, but all was in vain.
The 3 minute mark, Opperman, Bannon, McNamara, Mat Gstrein, Mann & Frazer showed the field good riding skills, picking up series leader Riley along the way, this bunch rode through the entire field & holding off and equally fast moving scratch bunch.
Kieran Bannon Mg took 1st place backing up his win in last years soldiers, Matt Gstrein camp. 2nd, Brian McNamara warrn 3rd, Matt opperman mg 4th & Roberty Mann mg 5th.
Bannons ride time was 58.40 mins & average speed a very respectable 41.42kmph
The scratch bunch rode equally well with schuttz taking fastest time at 57 mins.07 an average speed of 42.52 which under the conditions is outstanding!
Nicole Everett from camp. ave 31.24kmph was first female rider followed by Mellissa Mckinlay mg. ave 35.28
After the "soldiers Memorial" race 4 in the South West Series Heath Riley from Hamilton has consolodated his leading position on the points table and Nicole Everett from Camperdown is equally top scoring with Melissa Mckinlay as Nicole came in first in race 4 she wears the female riders leaders jersey.
The next Race in the series is the "Frank Long" in Hamilton.
Always a well contested event, steeped in tradition!
Keep an eye on the pink jerseys and make sure you beat them both back!
Full series points table below click on comments.
For a full breakdown on "Soldiers Memorial" Results and comprehensive statistics list for all competitors including juniors http://mgcatc.com/content/cyclingresult...al2009pdf
This statistics list compiled by "Cobalt" Mount Gambier

Sunday, April 19, 2009

AXA Insurance Camperdown Classic

Results from the very successful 2nd annual "Axa Camperdown Classic" cycle road race over 58kms held on Saturday afternoon the 18th of April 2009.

A field of 61 riders from as far as Mount Gambier and Horsham joined the other 8 regional clubs for the running of the AXA INSURANCE Camperdown Classic road Race.
There was only one scratching from the programme on a cloudy day that saw drizzly showers threaten the start of the race. Luck had it that the roads dried up and racing was held in near perfect and dry weather conditions, with no falls or crashes, but a few withdrawls by some riders that found the hills and the pace a bit too much to handle. The 58kms course consisted of 3 laps of the fast and hilly lake Bullen Merri to Cobden circuit, with the start & finish beeing at Camperdown.
Nine bunches faced the starter at 2.00pm, with the small limit bunch off a 30 minute handicap. Bunches quickly grouped up and by midway 3 main bunches were speeding along. An intermediate sprint was held at the completion of the first lap of two and was won by young Monica Kelly from Horsham, who just pipped her club team-mate Matthew Opdecoul. In the mean time the backmarkers were quickly closing in on the leaders, and had them down to a gap of about 5 mins with one lap to go. A big crowd on the outskirts of town formed & soon the lead car was seen with the orange light flashing and decending down the hill to the finish.
One rider was away with a small bunch chasing him down into Camperdown.
It was David Tozer (pt fairy) from the scratch bunch, who had broken away from the feild and took the solo win well clear of the chasers of Simon Walsh off 5 mins, & Paul Nolte off the 12 minute mark. Fourth was Mark Hyland and fith, local favoutite Paul Kent both also from the 12 minute bunch.

Presentations were held at the Hampden Hotel followed by a slide presentation from TOPBIKE TOURS operators Emma & Dave Ollie. Who conduct cycle tour packages to all major European road races. This added a European race touch to the night which included wonderfull meals and beverages well into the night.

Results
1st David tozer Port Fairy
2nd Simon Walsh Port Fairy
3rd Paul Nolte Portland
4th Mark Hyland Warrnambool
5th Paul Kent Camperdown

Fastest time David Tozer Port Fairy
Intermediate sprint Monica Kelly
First Veteran David Tozer
1st Camperdown Rider Paul Kent
1st Female rider Jo Coombe

report compiled by E. Gstrien camperdown

For South West Series leader board click on comments below for the full table.
Next South West series Race will be Soldiers Memorial Mount Gambier on Anzac day, $1200 in Prize money for full race details check out Mount Gambier Cycling & Triathlon Club website.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Max McKenzie Memorial Mount gambier

A filed of 45 riders turned out for the Max McKenzie, The Second race of the South west series.
Weather was outstanding with a light North Westerly Breeze and temperatures in the mid 20's.
The handicapper Scott Noonan divided the field into 8 bunches, limit at 30 mins, then 18 mins, 15.5, 12.5, 10, 7, 4mins then scratch.
At the start of the race on paper I thaught the 15.5 bunch looked the goods, with 6 Mount riders & 2 hamilton riders, all with plenty of experience and ability, chasing second limit also with a few riders more than able to help out with the common cause. At about the 1/2 way make and about 2km onto the "overland road", thes two bunches combined, then i thaught yep I am right, things are looking like it will be an outmarkers day.
This also was about 2 minutes before my own tank ran dry; Stuart Robinson Hamilton was working like a trojan, which in turn created a few casualties amongst the out markers me being one of them.
Less than a minute after dropping off, what i think is a very fast moving front bunch, i looked behind only to see some very conspicuous looking red outfits closing in, quite a bit faster, with red having a bold presence in the chasing bunch i then realised, the handicapper had done his job quite well, I started with a chance, and blow me scratch had as well, and there they were, as usual, the red titans outfits as bold as ever, quickly bridging the gap.

Scratch had ridden quite well stopping any of the other back markers combining without them being involved, Shultz, Gstrien, Tozer,Bellville, & Eichler reeled in the field gaining strength along the way.

The out markers were picked up not too far out so any outmarker with any wheel holding ability had a chance in a placing, But realy only an outside chance!
Results Brendan Schultz wearing number 1st &Fastest Xavier Gstrien a very close 2nd& rounding out the top 3 Gary Pollock hamilton. 4th Heath Riley, 5th Chris Eichler 6th, 7th from 2nd limit & well deserved went to Stuart robinson 8th John Anderson, 9th Glen Schouler 10th Matt Gstrien

First Female Irene Whennen
Handicapping fanststic, riders from 2nd limit to scratch in top ten placings.
A couple of special mentions go to 1. Stuart Robinson from Hamilton persistance paid, Xavier Gstrien, for mixing it on scratch, and a very close second, need a lot more younger riders coming through!
To the three female starters well done to all, wouldnt do any harm having 10 or 12 more at each race!

See you all at the next race...............................

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Glenn Cooke Memorial Warrnambool 21st mach 09

60 riders conteseted the Glenn Cooke Memorial at Warrnambool on the Weekend.
Conditions were hot, dry & very windy, which saw only 16 riders complete the 60km circuit.

The out marker Stuart Robinson from Hamilton, lead for the first two laps on his own, but was soon Rounded up by the field. With each lap, spectators at the Wangoom Store were joined by hot & Weary Riders, savouring a cold drink and icecream.

With two laps to goit became obvious that the winners were going to come from riders from the 9 or 5 minute marks, and as the scratch bunch succumbed to the conditions, second scratch were riding for fastest time.

In a sprint for the line, the 9 minute markers were able to hold off their rivals, with Kane Frazer(Hamilton) crossing the line in first place, Heath Riley(hamilton) 2nd, Tony Prytz(Colac) 3rd, Barry Warren(Warrnambool) 4th, Garry Polack (Hamilton) 5th & Fastest from second scratch.

It was a fantastic start to the 2009 South West Series, and we can only hope that numbers stay high through out the series.

Series Points.
1 Kane Frazer 30
2 Heath Riley 29
3 Tony Prytz 28
4 Barry Warren 27
5 Garry Polack 26
6 Matthew Gstrien 25
7 Paul Bosch 24
8 Andy Graham 23
9 Neil O'Donnel 22
10 Clive Coomber 21

Friday, March 13, 2009

Hi to all prospective competitors in this Years South West Series.

We are Happy to support this Series, I think its a great series of bike racing and hope that all members from all clubs involved HAVE A GO THIS YEAR!

All of the races are good events, the more that turn out the better!

Banks Thargo's Contribution to the event,

will be Wine for the winners and fastest time, and a leaders jersey for the series that the winner can take home and hang up on the wall at the end of the series, Jersey will probably will need a wash first!

We would dearly like to have a leaders jersey on a Female as well as a male in the seniors part of the racing so to all you female riders out there on your bikes!

The Banks Thargo Wines given to the successful Competitors at each event during the series,is given from us as a series sponsor, and in no way do we want to interfear with any of the respective sponsors from each individual event.

So If you win the Soldiers Memorial, the Mount Gambier RSL is the Sponsor for that event. Our Contribution will be for your success in the South West series, it is to "Compliment" the Prize at each event.

Personally I think the South West Series is a great series, if time permitted I would compete in all of the events, unfortunatelly time doesnt so I will do what I can.

For all those that arnt participating Have a go this year!

BIG FIELDS MAKE GREAT RACES!

We would dearly like to give you some wine! provided you are over 18 of course


2009 Road Series Callender

March,

Sat 21st Glen Cook Warrnambool
sat 28th Max Mckenzie Mt Gambier

April,

sat 18th camperdown Camperdown
sat 25th ANZAC Soliers memorial Mt Gambier $1200 prize money!!!

May

sat 2nd Frank long Hamilton
sun 10th hamilton to port faity Port Fairy

16th & 17th 100 mile & Blue lake Classic (OPEN) not SWS Big weekend Big prize money

June

sat 6th Greg Gleeson Warrnambool
Sun 7th Woodrup Port Fairy
Mon 8th Stan mcphee Warrnambool
Sun 14th Casterton 40 Hamilton

sat 27th Casterton 50 (OPEN) NOT SWS

July

sat 11th Hamilton 120km (OPEN) NOT SWS
sun 12th Port Fairy 100km championship (OPEN) NOT SWS

August

Sat 22nd Coleraine IGA Hamilton
sun 23rd Gorae weast classic Portland

September

Sun 13th Goodall Hamilton

October

sat 10th Camperdown Camperdown