Scratch Prove That Being “Younger” Makes All The Difference

The script was written early and despite a tough mark, the strong men of scratch proved they were up to the task taking the line honours in a big bunch sprint.

Limit were down to 2 after a late scratching with Renee Clapham and new member Stephen Britton getting a 22 minute head start on the back markers. They rode valiantly and got to within 5 km of the finish before the race caught up to them. Another minute and they would have been hard to catch.

At 13 minutes, new member Nick Drew, Peter Livitsanis, Jeremy Humber and returning members Sharon Boyd and Greg Nunn brought together a good mix of strength and experience. Sharon is in sparkling form off her stellar track season and Nunny’s got a wealth of racing knowledge behind him. Nick showed he was in good form and held his own with the group riding smooth and consistently. Most of these riders latched on to the next 2 bunches as they caught them near the Quarry on the last lap.

The 7 minute bunch had new member Ben Clark, visiting rider Josh Harvey and 3 of the Thinking Men Peter Canny, Craig Jenkins and Rick Calvert. Geoff Edwards elevated himself this week, well and truely holding his own in this company showing his form from last year has continued to improve. With Ben returning to racing after a long hiatus and Josh looking every bit a racing type, there was a big claim by one rider it was the smoothest bunch he’s ridden with in a race (until second scratch caught them).

Speaking of which, the chopping block was compiled of Jason Hendry, Stu Brien plus Tony Mirabella who elevated himself to make up the small contingent. Tony was concerned that he might not be as much of a contributor to the threesome because he wasn’t on his “faster” bike, but he showed he was in fantastic form not missing a single turn and helping to drive the 4 minute bunch to catch the group ahead nearing the end of the second of 3 laps at above 40km per hour assisted by the calm ideal conditions of the day.

However, we were all riding in the same conditions and scratch bunch were on a flyer making up half the 4 minute gap to second scratch in the first lap largley driven by visiting Rider Rich Younger which even had Shane Nankirvis looking for a wheel. It was always going to be hard to keep up that pace and so scratches second lap slowed but they continued to make ground on the big bunch that had formed ahead of them. Ably assisted by Tim Canny and Michael Pierce, the back markers kept driving toward what they sensed would be a victory.

Meanwhile, the combined 4 minute, 7 minute and 13 minutes bunches were still pushing with the likes of Ben Clark, Stu Brien, Tony Mirabella, Jason Hendry in the drivers seat most of the time, with cameos from Jenkins, Calvert and Edwards but the pace was pretty high and while it was okay sitting in the wheels because of the lack of wind, driving the pace took a toll.

Finally the Limit duo were reeled in and not long after, Scratch came through like a steam train and the “Nannimal” took a flier and went 30-50 mtrs up the road. There were a few riders who weren’t going to let Shane dictate terms today so Richard Younger, Stu Brien and Tim Canny did their bit to bring it back together putting the sword to those holding on to the rubber band at the back.

The pace kept going and Younger found the front and he ducked and weaved to get off it and eventually Canny (the younger version) took the bait and launched an attack but Brien was all over it like white on rice and so was the rest of the field.

This brought the finish line within 500 mtrs and Nick Drew the hitters out (see what I did there) with a long range attempt to the line and Stu Brien found the front with about 300 mtrs to go (too far for his old legs) providing an arm chair ride to finish line where strong boys took out the day with Richard Younger taking 1st Place and Fastest Time from Tim Canny in 2nd, Jason Hendry in 3rd, 4th Place was Michael Pierce and 5th (and Ride of the Day) went to Tony Mirabella. First Female rider was Sharon Boyd.

Congratulations to all the riders today and thank you to Rob Ferguson (filling in for Patrick Shaw), Jason Birch, Dean Wells, Danny Wheelan and Graeme Parker for their valuable assistance on the day.