MICHAEL HASELDINE AS EXPECTED PACKED TOO MANY GUNS FOR HIS B GRADE RIVALS IN THE FINAL BRAMSTON BEACH ROAD RACE FOR THE SEASON.
Michael being the only A Grade rider in the field still had to contend with future top grade aspirants in Bernard Cossar – Smith, Jamie Holman, Tobia Kipper and up and coming young rider Tiago Torres. Throw in the ever improving Andrew Harper and Shane Gelling along with the wise heads of Oliver Wacek, Gavin Butler and the comeback Kid Mal Lindsay meaning Michael Haseldine still had a race to win.
Out of the village and away Bernard Cossar – Smith, Tiago Torres and Haseldine were rolling at a genuine A grade pace so as through the hills to Smoko Creek, Gavin Butler still suffering from a bout of the flu and Oliver Wacek first up from a long break off the road dropped out of contention Oliver waiting to join up with the C AND D Grade Boys.
So then began the procession the seven left in rolling turns worked their way into the Garradunga turn off where Torres led Gelling then turning back toward the main road Harper led from Haseldine. The seven became six when one of the favourites Tobia Kipper dropped off the back. The six in order heading for Miriwinni were Jamie Holman leading Bernard Cossar –Smith followed by Tiago Torres, Mal Lindsay, Andrew Harper, Shane Gelling and Michael Haseldine it was anyone’s race.
Bad Luck struck Mal Lindsay after leading for the run back to the Village, not long after a puncture put Mal out of business. So five left rolling along towards the rolling hills into Bramston. All five doing plenty of work to keep a genuine tempo and as they shot passed Smoko Creek you could virtually throw a blanket over the five. It was at this point that the race reporter whispered to the Race Commissar Mick Mehonoshon (“I’ll give you the trifecta in order “) naming Haseldine, Torres and Cossar- Smith all three looking extremely confident and at that moment Michael Haseldine took off from the back of the five to sweep to the lead and away chased through by Tiago Torres.
Flashing past the Village and heading to the River Haseldine and Torres had edged to a ten second break over Harper, Gelling, Cossar – Smith and Holman. From that point on it was a race in two. River and back Bernard Cossar-Smith took off after the Torres and Haseldine and for a moment or two the reporter’s trifecta was looking good until Jamie Holman encouraged the remaining trio to try and chase Cossar-Smith down and catch him they did. However all honours to Michael Haseldine who held out the up and Coming Tiago Torres with Andrew Harper a fair way back snatching third spot in front of Shane Gelling, Bernard Cossar –Smith and Jamie Holman.
It was A grade to Haseldine and of course B grade to Torres followed by Harper and Gelling.
C AND D.
Lots of reasons why this event fell away in numbers Holiday’s, Xmas parties other cycling genres. However everyone who turned up and either rode or volunteered deserved the accolades they receive either through this column or verbally, for they are supporting the very difficult task of getting and maintaining permits. So to all of you take a bow not only for Sunday’s race but everyone who played their part during the year?
The race. Four only disappeared out of view heading for the turnaround at Mirriwinni leading the way was veteran Jeffrey Hartley looking fabulous in his Australian Masters gear in which Jeff will represent us at the World Masters to be held in Auckland early next year, he was followed by the affable Todd Hartley (no relation) and the young guns Cody Haseldine and Luke Azzarpardi.
When the Commissars vehicle past the four riders heading into the hills it was the Hartley boys booking ending the foursome with Jeff in front Cody and Luke in the middle and Todd. They rolled along together for some time before the younger Azzarpardi and Haseldine some fifty eight years Jeff’s junior decided to get serious. So from Mirriwinni to the finish the two young riders matched motors. Todd Hartley had called it a day leaving Jeff Harley six minutes astern as the race heading into the final section the River and Back. However he had company in the form of Oliver Wacek who had continued on from his event to complete the course. This is where Luke Azzarpardi underpinned the value of intense training, just a few days prior Luke had a simple work out Gordonvale – Innisfail Return as well as his track commitments and so a super fit Luke gradually drew away to win the race by one minute from the very promising Cody and a space back to Jeff Hartley third.
A million thanks to Mick Mehonoshon who gave up his ride to act as the Commissionaire along with Kim, Gavin, Sue and Ian completing a dynamic team for our final road race of the year.
HOWEVER DO NOT FORGET NEXT SUNDAY’S CRITERIUM AT WOREE and the XMAS PARTY AT THE RED BERET SUNDAY EVENING.
JONESY