VET'S IN THE SPOTLIGHT PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS-RACE REPORTS-RESULTS FROM VETERAN RACING all photographs copyright impact internet services 2000 RACELINE-APOLLO GSR THE RANGE 30-7-00 Photos taken at "The Range" 30-7-00 by richard surfield. copyright2000 Great conditions prevailed for racing at the "Range" course Willunga with light northerly winds, sunny blue skies and 53 very keen riders, everything was in place for a great mornings racing. With the AVCC's Bill Long promoted Australian Championships just over a month away, an extra lap was added to the top grades giving competitors a solid workout. Good organization and solid sponsorship ensured that the Bicycle Express Raceline-Apollo graded scratch races were a huge success. With an absence of some riders due to the SACF State Titles the fields looked pretty evenly matched but the day was to bring a few surprises when the results were all in. The first came in "A" grade who weren't about to let any major breakaways form on the long 68 kilometre journey. With twelve climbs in the four laps it would take a heroic effort to take on the bunch and though some tried, no-one succeeded until right on the last climb. Mike Ridding caught everyone napping and took a flyer. The move snapped the elastic with the bunch shattering. With Ridding coming in well clear it was left to Mike Ellerway and Peter Grivell to sort out who would take second. Although Grivell seems to be getting back into form, Ellerway who has been enjoying great success recently was too strong. Surprisingly Blair Howell came in fourth overall putting a big question mark on his current form. Carl McMillan claimed the last major placing.

"stormin" norman hoy at the front

not a good day for ian oswald

"B" grade was under plenty of pressure early in the race as Jenny Kemp put in big efforts all the way up Pottery Road with riders strung out behind her diminutive, but powerful figure of determination. Today would not bring a placing for Kemp but it showed that the women riders can mix it with the men at the higher levels of competition. Dave Clark, one of the clubs newer members had an easy victory in the end over the much improved Dave Ward. Brian Martin and Jim Olds although putting in a solid performance were outclassed today as was race sponsor Keith Wong who could only manage 5th spot. "C" grade faced just three laps of the course but that would be just enough for former Irish International Vern Braithwaite. Together with the much improved Norman Hoy, it ended up a two man sprint for the line. Too much experience saw Braitwaite come clear just metres from the line to take victory in a thriller finish. The rest of the field was left to finish one at a time with big gaps between Collins, Hillman and Charos.

colleen & carolyn breaking away

syd & greg chasing at top of climb

Susan Ridding was too classy for the "D" grade field and winning the grade so clearly did little to relate her real abillity at veteran level. Here is another woman competitor who is also taking it to the men and this can only be seen as good all round for the sport. Two great guys in Clem Kelly and Peter Blackburn kept the senior competitors flag flying high with 2nd and 3rd respectively. Giving away 30+ years to the youngster was a big ask but they certainly took it to Riddings as best as they could, even if it was only to drive her harder to victory. Last but certainly not least was "E" grade and a real turnup for the books here. Two riders blitzed the field early in the race and both were, yes you guessed it, yep, those women were at it again. Colleen Boyanton had travelled some 350km to be in Adelaide and after training on the flats of Naracoorte was feeling a bit intimidated by the hilly course. She needn't have worried. Joining forces with Carolyn Salisbury on the first lap, the two did a runner on the rest of the field which ended up just a procession. It was a trifecta for the women with Diedre White taking third. All up another great days racing and a wonderful performance by abig field of women competitors. Well done to everyone. THE RESULTS

"A" Grade 1 MIKE RIDDING 2 MIKE ELLERWAY 3 PETER GRIVELL 4 BLAIR HOWELL 5 CARL McMILLAN

"B" Grade 1 DAVE CLARK 2 DAVE WARD 3 BRIAN MARTIN 4 JIM OLDS 5 KEITH WONG

"C" Grade 1 VERN BRAITHWAITE 2 NORMAN HOY 3 EDDIE COLLINS 4 GEOFF HILLMAN 5 PETER CHAROS

"D" Grade 1 SUSAN RIDDING 2 CLEM KELLY 3 PETER BLACKBURN 4 PETER FIELD 5 CAROLYN DANGERFIELD

"E" Grade 1 COLLEEN BOYANTON 2 CAROLYN SALISBURY 3 DIEDRE WHITE 4 RAY HILL 5 BARRY TIMMINS

Enquiries for the Southern Veterans(McLaren Vale) can be directed to Rowley Ferris on 82960223.
Enquiries for the Outer Harbour Veterans can be directed to Len Nieuwenhoven on 82603181.


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