VET'S IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Veterans Express Weekly Roundup S.A Veteran Cycling

with Richard Surfield

SDV&LCC 54KM H'CAP 30/12/01 this report thanks to SDV&LCC MEDIA ..... Barry Timmins
Team Perrett's season ends on high note with Gaggini's win Rob Gaggini in a blaze of impressive form and potent riding took out the final SDVLCC handicap race for 2001 and claimed his first victory with the club. Rob has been a consistent rider and has a number of crucial results to his name. He was third in June in Division One in the Twin Peaks event and has two second places in scratch events. This is his first result in the new season and could herald the start of a significant run of form.
Second place went to new rider Con Bastiras who will on this effort be a regular feature in future reports. He showed considerable strength to burn off his own starting group and pulled out some extra when Gaggini up the stakes in the final kilometres.
Russell Osmond recorded his first result of the season to add to his already noteworthy list of results with the club. This is his seventh major placing with the SDVLCC.
Paul Weatherall continued his very admirable run of form and once again rode very aggressively to take out fourth place.
Fifth place went to Alan Titterton who showed a lot of courage and intensity at the race end to mix in with the leaders and claim a significant result. This is his third placing with the club and his best result to date.
The markers had a good run in the race and where only caught with the finish line in sight. Scratch riders found the pack difficult to take this week as a large fast moving group made up of riders from the 11,13 and 16 minute groups formed on the climb out of Kangarilla. This group was dominated by Paul Weatherall who once again forced the pace and kept riders honest by leading from the front and encouraging riders to work. The 20 minute group where caught on the run in to the Flat and a large pack remained together until Chapmans. The run up Gaffney Road claimed a few more riders and many where surprised by the strong riding of Gaggini at this point of the race. He powered his way through the field to catch the front runners in the remaining pack and eventually took it out in the sprint.
The 30 minute group of Noel Myatt, Di Goddard, Lew Gardiner and Bob Ritter where caught in the finishing straight after an admirable ride which almost produced what would have been a popular result.
Happy New Year to SDVLCC members and our supporters in the media. full results click here SDV&LCC XMAS H'CAP 23/12/01 this report thanks to SDV&LCC MEDIA ..... Barry Timmins
New riders shake up the peleton Greg Damon, Tony Barrett and Paul Reed heralding in a burst of new talent showed strength and determination to take the majority of the major placings in the SDVLCC Christmas Handicap event this Sunday.
The race was run in perfect conditions with a large field of 50 riders. Congratulations must go to the handicapper for a commendable effort with the race ending with a large combined group on the last climb up Binney Road. Noel Myatt with a potent ride looked liked taking out the event but was caught on the last climb up Binney Road by the 16 minute group Brian Else, Tony Barratt and Richard Perin. Tony had enough depth left to join in the large pack that developed at the top of Binney and went on to claim second.
Two groups formed on the second lap. Survivors from the 9,11 and 13 minute groups joined forces on the run in to McLaren Vale. This group had a number of in form riders and had the potential to take out the race. Dave Symonds, Chris Powell and Barry Bullivant looked forceful. Helen Roach made some intense surges with Caroline Salisbury and new rider Greg Damon looking convincing taking turns at the front.
Behind this pack was a formidable group made up of the scratch riders and the 3, 5 and 7 minute starters. Paul Bell, Paul Reed and James Russell had joined with John Amos, Ian Davis and Andrew Loose and caught the 5 minute starters. The pack had some very noteworthy names Justin Dawson, Eddie Collins, Geoff Hillman, Vicki Birks and Steve Hazel to name just a few. They showed intensity and smart tactics and knew that they would catch the groups in front before the line The two groups joined on the run up Binney for the last time where the markers where reeled in.
At the finish it was Greg Damon from the 9 minute starters and Tony Barrett from the 16 minute group who held off the scratchies James Russell,Paul Bell and Paul Reed. James Russelll once again recorded the fatest time with 1:17:19 for a very impressive average speed of 38.96km/hr.
At the presentations John Amos was awarded the Handicap Shield for the most improved rider in the 2001 season. His record with the SDVLCC is most inspiring. He has ten major results to his name his last being a second place in the Club Picnic Scratch race in B grade. He was victorious in Division two in the Bicycle Express Mount Compass event in October and third in B grade in the Koffee and Snax Scratch races in September. John could also be a potent contender in the prologue to Jacobs Creek the Tour de Strath. SDV&LCC TOP 20

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

GEOFF HILLMAN BARRY BULLIVANT LAURIE PEARCE BARRY TIMMINS JOHN AMOS NORMAN HOY PETER GRIVEL JAMES RUSSELL JOHN GILES JUSTIN DAWSON

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

DAVE SYMMONDS PETER MOORE IAN DAVIS PETER FRY VICKI BIRKS PAUL BELL STEVE HAZEL EDDIE COLLINS RAY DEED BOB SEYMOUR

full results click here SDV&LCC H'CAP 16/12/01 this report thanks to SDV&LCC MEDIA ..... Barry Timmins
Hoy Sprints to Victory Norman Hoy showed a exceptional turn of power to sprint to victory by 20 metres in the club handicap event this Sunday. Norman who is not a recognised sprinter showed his back wheel to a swift finishing group and surprised the talented field with his speed at the finish. Norman graciously thanked his team mates for their support recognising Geoff Carpender, Chris Ossowicz and Ian Davis for their part in getting him across the line.
The race was run over a difficult course but in near perfect conditions. Riders had to climb out of Kangarilla twice before tackling the short but steep climb out of Bakers Gully to Schuller Road. The last short climb up Chapman Avenue tested the legs of everyone and proved to be the factor that would separate the large group which had formed on the run in to McLaren Flat. Strong riding from Paul Weatherall, Allan Titterton and Caroline Salisbury saw a small group form on the first lap of Kangarilla when the 15 and 17 minute groups got together. This group took up the markers on the climb to Schuller Road and where themselves caught on the run in to Mclaren Flat. At this point in the race the pack was made up of a very large group of riders and remained this way until a breakaway on the Chapman Avenue.
The scratchies once again could not catch the fast moving pack and finished a number of minutes after the main group.
Place getters today came from the 8 and 5 minute groups with one exception who is showing considerable potential. Patrick Houwelling riding for the second time and starting with the 15 minute group finished a very commendable fourth.
Geoff Hillman for the fourth week in a row recorded a significant result to take second and in this form is likely to be a robust contender for the Tour De Strath if the handicapper is fair to him. His run of results may see him starting earlier.
Third went to Steve Hazel who was second last week and is also in respectable form. Ian Davis placed fifth to take his first placing of the season.
The Tour De Strath is now only a month away and the next few weeks will be a testing time for riders. A look at the club race database may give a clue as to possible contenders for the big event. Handicaps and race conditions can always play a part but riders with the results on the board and those improving should be considered. A number of riders stand out as strong contenders from SDVLCC. Geoff Hillman has now taken a strong lead after a brilliant start to the year and has recorded the most major placings with the club since November 2000. James Russell once again recorded the fastest time for the fourth week in a row and must, if conditions and handicapping are right, make a claim for a place in the big event. Barry Bullivant along with Norman Hoy are the dark horses. Both have impressive records with the club and seemed to be coming in to form at the right time. full results click here SDV&LCC H'CAP 9/12/01 this report thanks to SDV&LCC MEDIA ..... Barry Timmins
You're Never Too Old's Jimmy Olds took a narrow victory on the line in a fast finishing pack sprint to claim his first victory of the season in the SDVLCC Club Handicap event this Sunday. The race was run in near perfect conditions with a good field of 45 riders working the challenging course which had a number of tight corners and moderate climbs.
Jimmy is fast becoming a rider to watch out for with a number of significant results recorded since last July. He was second in C grade at the Range late in November and has had two victories previously in C grade in scratch events this year.
Most of todays place getters came from the 6 & 8 minute starting groups with the scratchies unable to catch the large bunches which formed during the event. Steve Hazel showed some sparkling form making an early break from his 8 minute group to join the group ahead at Bakers Gully. This group had some in form riders but none of them could sustain the pressure today.
Towards Wickhams Hill a large bunch came together with Steve Hazel's starting group rejoining him and the riders from the 13 minute starters. Ahead the earlier Starters had been running a mini race of their own. Paul Weatherall was riding strongly but was clearly frustrated with the 15 minute group who found the pace difficult. He spent long stretches at the front urging riders through but got little response. His group was still able to reel in the 17 and 22 minute starters on the climb out of Kangarilla. This bunch remained ahead until late in the race when the pursuing pack lead by Steve Hazel caught them on the Gaffney Road climb. It was then a battle for the riders with the strength left to make a break at the finish. Steve Hazel went on to claim second place to once again just miss his maiden victory with SDVLCC.
He was fourth last week in the Xmas Scratch event in C grade and looks like his first will not be that far away. Tactics today may have taken the opportunity away. Third went to Justin Dawson who placed in the club Picnic race in October and continues to impress. He had a number of significant results last season and is always one to watch in a bunched sprint finish. Fourth went to new rider Paul Headram who started with the 22 minute group but showed a lot of character to hang on to the bunches at the race end and considerable class in taking a place in the sprint for the line. He will be starting later next week.
Geoff Hillman continued his very good start to the season to take fifth to add to his growing record of wins/place and his third in the Xmas Scratch race in C grade. Fastest time went to the ever impressive James Russell who started on scratch with Blair Howell and Paul Bell. He clocked 1:26:23 for an formidable average speed of 37.6km/hr. Finally, we welcome the following new members to the club....
Peer Headlam
Greg James
John Yerxa
Andrew Holmesby
Terry Beard
Mark Burns
Linton Burns
Brian Thompson
Patrick Houweling full results click here GRADED RACES 2/12/01 this report thanks to SDV&LCC MEDIA ..... Barry Timmins
Xmas Comes Early For Some An in form and very dangerous James Russell proved he is in A grade to stay and has put out a challenge to other riders winning the Christmas Scratch Race in A grade. James took on a talented field to claim his second victory in as many weeks. He is emerging as the one to beat on this form. Brenton MacDonald made a welcome return to the prize winners circle claiming his first result since August. He was followed by the surprise of the week. Fresh from winning B grade at the range last week Paul Bell warned of his improving form to take third. Fourth went to Peter Grivel backing up his third place last week at the Range. The competition is challenging at the moment with so many in form riders showing their colours.
B grade was taken by Martin Refermat who has broken through for his maiden victory having been placed a number of times last season and has sent out a clear warning that he is back in form. James Russell began his rise to fame in similar fashion. Martin could be set for A grade and more glory following this effort. Accustomed riders took the remaining spots. Tim Kerstens showed he will be a force and Norman Hoy took his second place in as many weeks. Mark Piro made a welcome return to the prize winners list to take his first result since April and claim his third result with the SVLCC.
World champion rider Vicki Birks blitzed the field in C grade and denied Barry Bullivant yet another opportunity to claim that elusive first. Geoff Hillman and Steve Hazel took the remaining spots. Geoff featured in last weeks results and has started the year in strong form.
In D grade new rider Patrick Houweling took first from a fast finishing Dave Milne and Laurie Pearce with Ian Main fourth.
The season continues to build towards the 'Tour De Strath' to be run in January as part of the 'Tour Down Under'. After last years result the field has a record number of interstate riders nominated for the event. Local riders will need to get their nominations in before 3 January 2002. The next few weeks will see club riders working hard to peak for the big event. James Russell in his current form could be the one to watch.
A prologue to Jacobs Creek Tour Down Under, The Tour de Strath 65km Cycling Classic will be contested on the 16 January 2002 in Strathalbyn with the race getting underway at 10.30am. Please note that this event is open only to licenced AVCC riders and you must hold an AVCC licence or have your receipt as proof that you do have the necessary insurance or you don't get a start. 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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