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

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.