VET'S IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Veterans Express Weekly Roundup S.A Veteran Cycling

with Richard Surfield

The Range 25/11/01 this report thanks to SDV&LCC MEDIA ..... Barry Timmins
Another windy day with long climbs made the going difficult for all riders in every grade but James Russell with a display of potent riding took out A grade in style to claim the first race of the new season. James has continued to impress and worked hard to claim his third victory with the club. Having made the jump for B Grade mid year James has maintained his form and looks like he will be a constant threat in A grade this season. Second went to Syd Carter who has still to break through for a victory with the club. He has an impressive list of seconds and will rue this chance today to take a first. It was a close call on the line which was not without controversy. Third in A grade went to Peter Grivel who like Syd is waiting for that first victory. Peter has recorded a number of impressive results in A grade but has yet to break through.
Paul Bell took his first victory in B grade after showing throughout this year that he would not be far of the mark. He has a significant list of results in Scratch events and will be very pleased to have taken a victory. A grade may be looming in the future. A methodical Norman Hoy took second to make a good start to his season and warn riders that he will again be a threat in B grade. Third was taken by Tim Kerstens who is riding with unfailing style and seems to record results with ease.
C grade was won by Chris Ossowicz to record his second result with SDLVCC. Chris has not been racing with the club for long and has sent a warning to B grade with this effort. Jimmy Olds continues to impact with another noteworthy effort to take second with Bob Seymour third adding to a admirable collection of results this year.
D, E and F grades competed in a handicap event with the scratchies catching the markers on the Pottery Hill climb with less than 50 metres to go. Peter Charos would be genuinely ecstatic with his first victory with the club sprinting positively to be a clear winner on the line. He was followed by Barry Timmins who led home a pack of riders made up of scratchies and what was left of the markers with Dave Ward, Geoff Hillman and Paul Weatherall taking the remaining places. Congratulations must go to Paul Weatherall for a valiant first up competitive ride after returning from illness. full results click here Alexandrina Cup 18/11/01 this report thanks to SDV&LCC MEDIA ..... Barry Timmins
A powerful display in extremely windy conditions from the scratch riders in Division One saw Peter Taylor [Team Mittiga] victorious in the Alexandrina Open. He was ably assisted by his fellow scratchmen and team riders Peter Moore and Tony McLoughlin in a race where the handicapper got it right. The three riders picked up all the early starters taking Syd Carter from the 2 minute group and Theo Nicholas from the 9 minute group to the line to claim the remaining places.
Taylor had his last major success in the Velo City Weatherall Electrical event in September when he took out division one adding to his biggest win this year in the Burra Classic which he also won from scratch. He would be well pleased with todays result claiming victory over Moore and Mcloughlin. Mcloughlin winner of the Milang Open Classic back in April and dual Impact Consistency Award winner has shown that he can battle gale force winds to win in the past. Finishing close behing him in that event was third placed Peter Moore who has continued to impress this season. The other place getters had to work hard to keep up with the powerful scratch trio. Fourth place Syd Carter produced his sixth result to finish the season adding to His second place in division one at Back Valley earlier this year. Theo Nicholas[Perrett Racing] from the VLCC recorded his second result this year in SDVLCC organised events and has clearly improved. His last result was a fifth in C grade in the Detrac race day in February. Well done Theo for mixing it with the big guns. Peter Taylor also took the prize for the fastest time.
In Division two the story was not so good for the scratch riders. A very potent group from the 7 minute starters took out all the places. Graham Banks sent out a warning to all with a very admirable end to his season to claim victory. He was a winner back in April in the Milang Open in D grade and has worked hard to take out Division Two in arduous conditions which seem to suit him. Second went to the improving Jim McCluskey to achieve his best result for the year. Third placed Ray De Ross registered his first result in SDLVCC events this season. Fourth and fifth went to two very consistent riders. Peter Blackburn increased his tally of results for the season to nine and Paul Tangey recorded his sixth major placing.
Scratch rider Martin Minge won the fastest time award with Audrey Donsen winning the first unplaced lady and David Rootes the Impact Internet Services Award first over 60. Both these riders were part of the 7 minute starters who scooped the pool with the places. full results click here 11/11/01 Presidents Cup Day is always a popular race on the calendar down at the "harbor" and this years running of the trophy event was no exception with 75 riders competing in seven grades ranging from "A" through to "G". Conditions were fine but a heavy cloud cover and a cold wind made conditions far from ideal for the riders. Racing was followed by trophy presentations and the club's annual AGM. The meeting was well attended and all positions were filled ensuring the smooth operation of the club for the next twelve months. full results click here Burns Shows Class SDV&LCC this report thanks to SDV&LCC MEDIA ..... Barry Timmins
New rider Linton Burns showed his class to easily win the Charity Handicap event in difficult conditions on a very challenging course this Sunday. Linton will be starting later in future races after a 'Lance Armstrong' like finish up the arduous Wickhams Hill. Riders in the pack had no answer to his forceful and tenacious riding as he powered away and finished a clear winner.
The race was open to any number of riders after a large group formed on the return from Kangarilla but as always the climb up Wickhams Hill ensured that only the tough survived. Neil Thies once again rode very strongly and led the pack up the early stages of the climb. Hot in pursuit was Tim Kerstens and Marcus Roberts. Linton Burns and this group of four elevated the pace and dropped off the pack of remaining riders who where strung out in smaller groups on the difficult climb. When the race was up for grabs Linton made his move leaving the other three behind with a commanding surge which no one could answer. He continued to ride vigorously and finished well clear at the end. Tim Kersten made his move and followed Linton although he could not make up the ground was able to make a break on the others and take a clear well deserved second place. Tim finished third last week in the Founders Day event and is riding effectively and will need to be watched in future weeks.
Marcus Roberts claimed third on the line just in front of Neil Thies. Marcus now has three major places to his name this season and will be glad to break through as his last result was in June in the Dean Stephens scratch race in C Grade. Neil Thies is becoming a regular feature in the presentations and again rode strongly to claim his second place in as many weeks.
Fifth place went to Mark Shields for his third result this season. Eddie Collins took sixth for an impressive thirteenth result. The remaining places went to an inform Chris White, Russell Osmond, Mick Tagell and Ian Davis.
Next week is the Alexandrina Open proudly sponsored by Alexandrina Council. Riders from the VLCC and SDLVCC will be put to the test on a new 71km course around the picturesque Strathalbyn and coastal plain to Milang and return. There are still a number of vicious climbs that will ensure a tough event. The Impact Consistency Awards will be presented after the race in what promises to be one of the highlights of this years racing calendar. full results click here Hillman Sets Record 4/11/01

this report thanks to SDV&LCC MEDIA ..... Barry Timmins An in form Geoff Hillman took the Founders Day race and became the first club rider to have won the event twice. His last victory in the 'Founders' came a number of years ago but his riding this year has been on song and this admirable victory was not a surprise. Geoff is performing positively and is one of the clubs front runners in the Impact Services Award. This is Geoff's third victory for the year with seventeen results recorded this season. He is clearly one of the clubs most consistent and forceful riders. Second place went to Barry Bullivant claiming a major place for the second week in a row and once again missing that elusive victory being taken on the line by the fast finishing Geoff. Barry must be due to break through soon. His current form is impressive with eleven placings this year including four painstakingly fought second places. The race was run in agreeable conditions although a few riders found the heat a little tough towards the end of the 45km event. A large pack made up of riders from the 12 and 13 minute groups

formed at McLaren Flat early in the race. This group progressed at a rapid pace with Neil Thies and Barry Bullivant making surges and keeping the pace stiff especially on the short climbs on the route to Kangarilla. The climb out of Kangarilla to Bakers Gully saw Neil Theis dominate and breakaway on his own. He had been riding very potently and this move saw the pack break up. Wayne Stephens, Eddie Fabjian and Dave Symmonds powered past a number of riders dropped by the pack on the climb to the top of Bakers Gully and continued to make up ground on Neil Theis. This group passed the 16 minute group on suicide bridge taking the stronger riders with them. They where joined by riders from the 9 minute group on the climb to Peters Creek which enabled the group to pull back the break made by Neil Theis earlier. The placegetters all came from the hard working 12 and 9 minute groups with Eddie Collins, Tim Kerstens, Dave Symmonds and Neil Theis taking the prize money. Eddie Fabjian lost his footing and his chain and a chance at a place on the last climb up Binney Road. A number of other riders rode strongly today and where unlucky not to have claimed places. Chris Powell, Peter Blackburn and Paul Tangey from the 12 minute group and Dave Symmonds and Wayne Stephens from the 11 minute group stand out just to mention a few. It was not a day for the scratch riders with the surging and strong riding shown from the mid markers. Fastest time went to James Russell who started on scratch with four others Blair Howell, Peter Grivel and Mike Ellaway. Laurie Pearce also needs commending on a tough ride taking the first over 60 and the lone survivor from the 16 minute group at the finish. full results click here RACE FOR POINTS Well the race for points is over for another year. What a great season it was and there is more to come in 2002 when the SAVCC, HERB VALLEY and IMPACT INTERNET SERVICES will once again promote the premier events on the SA Veteran racing calender. FOR FULL DETAILS AND RESULTS click here Enquiries for the Southern Veterans(McLaren Vale) can be directed to Peter Blackburn on (08)8373 0224.
Enquiries for the Outer Harbour Veterans can be directed to Len Nieuwenhoven on (08)826 03181.


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