Tough conditions for final road race of the year

What a difference a week can make in the Limestone Coast.

After cancelling the race the previous weekend due to the overnight rain and low visibility, the December 8 race opened to clear blue skies, albeit with a southerly wind that would make the return leg of the 30km out and back course a little more difficult to handle.

The club’s usual junior riders and their coaches were in Adelaide for the State Track Championships over the weekend, so a slightly smaller field of 10 signed on for the club race.

First group of riders away were Chris Neave, Phil Stasiw, Tegan Kuhl and John Cranwell, with a three minute head start to Sandra Parsons, Spek Peake, John de Pree and Troy Mustey.

The final pairing of Malcolm Tirabassi and Craig Andrae left under starters orders a further three minutes later.

The groups enjoyed a quick 15km with a tailwind behind them, quickly gobbling up the kilometres, but were already dreading the work required to get back to the finish line.

At the halfway turnaround, each group were still working well together, with Phil, Chris, Tegan and John Cranwell maintaining most of their lead on the outward leg, but Sandra, Troy, Spek and John de Pree were being steadily reeled in by Craig and Malcolm.

With 6km to go, the middle group were caught by Craig and Malcolm, but were able to hold on to the wheels momentarily.

Unfortunately just a kilometre down the road the road took a slight incline, just enough for Spek and Sandra to be shelled out the back.

Craig was initially caught out by the acceleration up the rise, but was able to make it back into the group.

Meanwhile, out in front, Phil, Tegan, John Cranwell and Chris were still able to hold onto a narrow lead.

As they neared the finish line, Phil Stasiw accelerated and powered to the line to take victory, followed by Chris Neave, then Tegan Kuhl and John Cranwell.

In the race for fastest time honours it was Malcolm Tirabassi who finished next, just 70 seconds after the leader, followed by Troy Mustey, Craig Andrae and John de Pree, with Sandra Parsons beating Spek Peake to the line a further 70 seconds back.

The next club racing event will be the Track Carnival held in conjunction with South Coast Cycling on the weekend of January 4 and 5 next year.