Newcomer wins prestigious Kongorong event

MEMBERS of the Mt Gambier Cycling Club community ventured to Kongorong for the Alan Bailey Memorial Handicap, a four lap race around a loop of Kongorong, remembering one of the club’s quality riders.

As per usual for this race, the forecast was for strengthening winds but early on, around the footy oval, the wind felt relatively calm but during the race the wind really picked up.

At this race we welcomed Miles Kroon, a new young rider through the Limestone Coast Track Cycling Academy, for his first road race.

Given that he had only been on the track for about five weeks, and had only jumped on a road bike for the first time less than a week beforehand, he was paired with coach Matthew Opperman for this race.

They were given a 10 minute head start to a group containing Spek Peake and Chris Neave, who had a further seven minute gap to Phil Stasiw, Craig Andrae and John de Pree.

The final bunch containing Ethan McKenny, Malcolm Tirabassi, Rob Mann and the visiting David Mann had to watch Miles and Matthew end their first lap before being asked to begin their chase three minutes later than the previous group.

It was not long before all riders were on the same lap, and by the end of two laps, the halfway mark of the race, the gap between the first and last group was just over 10 minutes, leaving the waiting supporters with a possibility of a close finish.

In the third lap, Craig, Phil and John were caught by the faster riders, with Craig the only one able to join.

Unfortunately for Malcolm, after a strong showing the previous race, he was unable to maintain the pace of his group and fell away, but continued on to a strong finish.

As the riders entered the final lap Miles and Matthew were still riding strongly out in front, with Spek and Chris just off the pace to vie for the win but still working together, and the chasing group of David, Rob, Craig and Ethan sitting at around five minutes gap.

This race was looking like it was going to go down to the wire.

As the riders came into view for the final time, Miles and Matthew were still in front, but the chasing group were close behind and beginning their charge toward the finish line.

At the urging of his coach, Miles used up any energy he had left to strike out alone for the finish line, trying desperately to hold off the riders behind, and cheered on by the supporters who had driven out to watch the race.

Miles Kroon, in his first race, won the Bailey Memorial, just 10 seconds ahead of David Mann and Rob Mann, with Ethan McKenny close behind.

Craig Andrae and Matthew Opperman arrived next, followed by Chris Neave a minute later, and Spek Peake a further two minutes back. John De Pree and Malcolm Tirabassi were welcomed across the line next, followed by Phil Stasiw.