Post date: Mar 07, 2016 9:10:52 AM
Hello Vets,
In this week's Bleat;
• NSW Road Rules
• From the Desk of the Handicapper
• Interstate Events
• Racing this Week
• Race Reports
Please send me your contributions at: TheBleat@actvets.cc
Ian Morton
In NSW from March 1 2016 – what are the key things for you to be aware of in regard to maximising the safety of cyclists and minimising the impact on your wallet as a driver and a rider?
Drivers must give bicycle riders at least a metre of space when the speed limit is 60km or less; and 1.5 metres when the speed limit is more than 60km/h.
To help drivers provide the minimum distance, some exemptions to the road rules will apply.
The penalty for drivers caught failing to give the minimum distance will be a $319 fine and the loss of two demerit points.
Fines for the five offences below will increase significantly for bicycle riders as of March 1 2016.
- Not wearing a helmet (up from $71 to $319)
- Running a red light (up from $71 to 425)
- Riding dangerously (up from $71 to $425)
- Holding on to a moving vehicle (up from $71 to $319)
- Not stopping at children’s/ pedestrian crossings (up from $71 to $425)
Penalties for other bicycle rider offences will also increase from $71 to $106 – which also includes riding without a working warning device, eg a bike bell.
According to a media release issued by the office of Duncan Gay (Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight) - “the requirement for bicycle riders to produce photo identification when stopped by police who suspect they have committed an offence will start in 2017”.
The release further states that "The next 12 months is about education and getting cyclists to start carrying identification...".
Alex O'Shea
Changes this week;
Brendan Savage B to A
Christophe Barbaret B to A
Dan Ashcroft D to C
Robert Mackey E to D
Pat Rooke F to E
• Tour De Riverina interclub dates;
- 13 March - Dean Carter Memorial - Griffith CC
- 20 March - Stockinbingal Fair - Cootamundra CC
- 3 April - Butch Menz Memorial - Wagga CC
- 24 April - Geoff Dixon Memorial - Albury CC
For more information http://riverinainterclubracing.com/tdr/.
• Newcrest Orange Challenge
- 20 March
An epic 170km ride through stunning NSW scenery finished of with some of the finest food and wines from the Orange region. Details Here
• 2016 South Pacific Veterans Cycling Championships
- 25-28 March
A combination of aged based events (the Time Trial and 300 metre sprints), and graded road race and Criterium events. In the age group races, riders are grouped in 5 year increments. Women start at 30 years and men at 35 years of age. Click HERE for details and online entry.
• Tolland Cycling Club Wagga Wagga
- 16-17 April
90 km Handicap and 71km/54km Graded Scratch. Details and registration https://eventdesq.imgstg.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=main&EventDesqID=16484&OrgID=20999. For more information contact Barry O'Hagan 02 69252404 or 043191803.
Where: Stromlo Forest Park
Sign on: 15 mins before scheduled start time wearing your registered number.
Race Description:
E/F/G 5:50 18m + 2
A/C 6:15 A 28m+2, C 25m+2
B/D 6:55 B 28m+2, D 25m+2
Race Director: Robert Langridge
Contact: Email: langridge@netspeed.com.au Ph 0450 400 658
The nominated marshals for this event are;
• Brian Chugg,
• Elizabeth Lowe,
• Michael Hanbury.
The Program for Wednesday is as follows:
5.30pm – 6.00pm: Warm-up and free practice;
6.00pm – 6.20pm: 12-Lap graded scratch race;
6.20pm – 6.40pm: 200m Fly
6.40pm – 7.00pm: 2-Lap Handicap
7.00pm – 7.20pm: Italian Pursuit.
No Race this weekend due to the long weekend.
The nominated marshals for upcoming events are;
- 15 Mar @ Stromlo: Phil Anderson, Seymour Savell-Boss
- 20 Mar @ Stromlo: Peter Laffery Sue Frost
- 22 Mar @ Stromlo: Dennis Puniard, Tanya VanderPutt
- 29 Mar @ Stromlo: Leon Horsnell, Stewart Stockwell
“A lovely night to be racing” was the quote of the night by Ian Barrass as F troop rolled by – obviously they weren’t working hard enough! It may have been on the first day of Autumn, though much more like a summers day with the temperature still well over 30 deg at the start and several riders suffering dehydration during the evening.
A/C grades set off with 23 riders in A and 13 in C grade. Mark Terracini started the attacks in A grade going off the front in the first lap, and continuing to put in attacks at every opportunity until caught up in a crash when Craig Appaneal had a blow out and rolled a tyre, with Nick Boylan also going down. A lot of lycra and skin left behind and our first aider Stu was kept busy. The yellow flag was out for nearly two laps, being deployed just a gap was opening in C grade and they were all together again when the all clear was given. C grade then stayed together until the final sprint when Ben Vagnarelli proved too quick for Rico Fitch in second and Sean Flemming edging out James Curran for third by a tyre width.
Back in A grade, with 13 minutes to go they were split right across the course into three groups, with the middle group of two riders looking very lonely out there and unable to bridge the gap. Antony Bishop took it out on the line closely followed by Mark Harris for second and then Ben Morrison in third. Unfortunately Mark Terracini while he rejoined the race after the crash was unable to keep up the pace and retired early.
Then it was time for B/D grades also well represented with the biggest turnout for the night being 28 riders in B and 20 riders in D grades. Unfortunately once again the yellow flag was out with a crash at the top turn. A reminder to all riders to keep their line especially on corners as Rosemary Robinson ended up being squeezed off the track and giving Stu more patching up work to do.
In B grade Ben Davis put in a series of early attacks before eventually retiring while later on Andrew Simpson put in a good attack but was brought back into the fold. At the end it was the day if your name was ‘Brenden’ as then you were set for a podium finish! Brenden Savage taking out a convincing win from Chris Barberet in second and Brendan Lakey in third place.
With the light beginning to dim, and certainly the temperature more pleasant for racing E, F And G grades took to the course. Having lost his road bike during the week Paul Robey in G grade took off from the start like a man possessed and didn’t look back, with Heather Sommariva trying valiantly to hang on for as long as possible, but in the end dropped off to finish for a lone second. Meanwhile Bruce Jones and ‘the fly’ Bernie Crowe circled the course ending up a full half length of the course behind Paul with Bernie sprinting home for third in G grade.
The five riders in F grade stayed together taking sensible turns on the front and generally having a well organized and ‘lovely’ race. Pat Rooke took the honours with Bill Frost in second, while the quoted man of the evening Ian Barrass came in third.
E grade were also riding well as a group and all the attacks were quickly neutralized so a pack of 15 riders rounded the last bend for the finishing straight. Suddenly the pack turned into a strung out line where Robert Mackay proved too strong for the rest finishing first, Al Croston second and Lloyd Bennett came in third.
Apart from the crash in A grade where we hope for a speedy recovery for Craig and Nick as it was indeed a ‘lovely night for racing’ as some 108 riders on the night indicated.
Thanks again to Stu for the first aid as well as the humour from the side, John Wilson marshalling and a stirling job on the flag, Ian Morton and Rob Langridge for stepping into assist and of course the usual suspects Barb Bayliss, Grahame Hendrie and Paul Robey at the sign on sheets along with the general set up and pack up of the club equipment and the Stromlo facility.
Bob Miller
Wednesday, 2 March was again hot and dry with a stiff breeze facing riders in the back straight. Track practice was only slightly uncomfortable. As expected, both the temperature and wind conditions eased over the session, providing great conditions for racing. The solid attendance continued, with 20 riders enjoying the evening’s racing.
The initial scratch races were 10 laps, with rider numbers allowing separate A and B grade races. The A grade race saw only a single attack. Martin Graham took off with four laps to go. When the attack looked threatening, Michael Langdon streaked from the bunch to join Martin. However, Rowan McMurray led a determined bunch pursuit and, within two laps, caught the breakaway. With the bunch consolidated, Ben Davis led out on the bell lap. Michael Langdon then burst past Ben, with Steve Jones struggling to catch his wheel. Michael’s timing was perfect and he held on for the win. Steve Jones took second, and a hard charging Rowan McMurray took third place.
In B grade, the pace fluctuated considerably over the first seven laps, than came on hard in the eighth lap. Only one rider was dropped. The bell lap saw a solid bunch sprint from which Phil Anderson emerged in first place, followed by Steve Hirsler and Phil Coulton.
The next event was a 4-Lap, handicap. Both A and B grade races were very pleasing for the handicapper. In both cases, the field slowly converged to a sprinting bunch. In A grade, Ben Davis took the win from Michael Langdon and Peta Brill. In B grade, Ross Scutts took the win from Phil Coulton. Pat Rooke did well to take third place.
The next event was 2-lap match racing with riders paired with one or two others of similar ability. The event was extremely interesting, with many different strategies and responses, on display. The match race winners were Martin Graham, Michael Langdon, Peta Brill, Kerry Knowler & Lindy Hou (tandem), Phil Anderson, Steve Hirsler, Ken Birch and Pat Rooke. All part of the rich tapestry of track racing!
As usual, the evening’s final event was an Italian Pursuit. This event has been a highlight of the track season. The standard of team racing and tactics continues to improve. In this instance, Team 1, anchored by Michael Langdon, took an easy win with good tactics and great pace line technique. Team 2 lost out when gaps appeared in their pace line around mid race, thus setting too great a task for their anchor riders.
The major place getters for the 2 March races were as follows:
10-Lap Scratch: (A Grade) Michael Langdon, Steve Jones, Rowan McMurray. (B Grade) Phil Anderson, Steve Hirsler. Phil Coulton.
4-Lap Handicap: (A Grade) Ben Davis, Michael Langdon, Peta Brill (B Grade) Ross Scutts, Phil Coulton, Pat Rooke.
2-Lap Match Race Winners: Martin Graham, Michael Langdon, Peta Brill, Kerry Knowler & Lindy Hou (tandem), Phil Anderson, Steve Hirsler, Ken Birch, Pat Rooke.
Combined Italian Pursuit:: Winner, Team 1 (Michael Langdon, Alec Millett, John-Paul DeSousa, Ross Scutts, Phil Anderson, Steve Hirsler, Graeme O’Neill).
Season Point Score Update: Michael Langdon (249), Alec Millett (218), Steve Jones (205), Steve Hirsler (185), Ross Scutts (175), John-Paul DeSousa (168).
Again note that the last few weeks in March (from Wed 9 on) are likely to present a challenge in ensuring we have qualified first aiders present. If you are first-aid qualified, your attendance for these last few track sessions would be much appreciated.
Graeme O'Neill