Some Like it Hot (& Windy)
In 2018 the Eureka Cycling Club introduced the Blue Wheel Trophy race to recognise active volunteers at the club. In 2022 the race was named for Peter Livitsanis in recognition of his long term on the committee and as Club Secretary and other roles that he has filled over the years. Actually we named the 2020 edition after Peter, but COVID happened and it’s taken until now for us to finally stage the event in recognition of his commitment to the club...
Shaws Cycling Centre had kindly donated the entry fee for all 24 racers on this typically hot and windy day at Lake Learmonth, where the sailors hoisted their sails and the cyclists pinned numbers to their lycra...
Just two laps on the famous Windmill circuit would see out the last race at Learmonth this season, but not the final Eureka race of season 2022, for next week we head to Myrniong for the Ray Hodgson Classic!
Out at the start line the wind was strong, yet not gusty as the mercury climbed into the mid twenties, albeit the actual feels like temperature was few degrees cooler.
Limit was an executive affair, with Club Vice President Julie Connellan and Club Treasurer Rick Calvert setting off at 18 minutes. Both on the comeback trail, they hoped their mark would be enough to win the day... it was not. Calvert was backing up from the famous “non event” the Pub to Pier on the preious day, however he was chauffered both ways and didn’t actually ride a bike at all...
The next riders were sent away at 4 minutes later and included Danny Whelan, Geoff Edwards and Committee member and media coordinator Steve Crowe rounding out the trio. A simple race plan for the 14 minute group - hold onto their advantage for as long as possible, then hold onto wheels for as long as possible.
The largest group of the day set off at 11 minutes. With six companions a short race and a cracking downhill tailwind finish, the race's namesake and Club Secretary - Peter Livitsanis - was pretty confident of getting his bunch up, but of course not winning it.
However, the enthusiasm of the group was curtailed a bit when the red flag went up on the first corner for the local milk truck. Up along to the quarry and Dennis Shaw was still trying to warm up the diesel motor and was struggling to come through. Steve Linane was pulling a bit hard like a young colt and Ash Burke was making a long anticipated return to racing and was a steadying influence on the rambunctious mob.
Alana Forster had been promoted two bunches in a week and was swapping out turns with the best of them. Peter Lamb had warmed up already by riding out to the race and was showing good form. Of course there is always one “sit-on-sprinter” in the group and Jeremy Humber was doing his turns... only just.
A whopping six minutes later the next quartet of riders set off. Rob Ellis had somehow contrived a move out, whilst Tony Mirabella and Peter Gunston were licking their lips in anticpation. Bob Braszell was backing up from riding the Pub to Pier and had woken with heavy legs, yet still decided to race - such is the mettle of our resident Gravel World Champion!
The “chopping block” had a whole one minute advantage over the Scratch duo of Jason Hendry and Club President Stu Brien. The Second Scratch men also had a handy six riders on which to call upon, with Greg Ley and Lindsay Burgoyne showing the way early, whilst Jason Birch, Darryn Reed, Tim Sinclair and Dean Wells - all backing up from the Pub to Pier - eased into the race gently.
Committee member and Club Handicapper Graeme Parker had set a challenging handicap for the back markers at this race and it panned out to be a team time trial of sorts. The 5 minute group stayed in no-man’s land all race, which was very impressive considering they lost Braszell on the second lap.
The Scratch duo caught the six man Second Scratch bunch at the mid point of the race, then only passed stragglers from that point on.
No, this race was all about the front end riders, so let’s return to their courageous efforts...
Livitsanis was pulling hard up the hills, testing leg and friendships. Into the wind the first time up the Coghill’s Creek and the front of the race had already come into view.
The bunch steamed past Julie and Calvert - out for a leisurely Sunday ride on a beautiful summer’s day - without hesitation or turning of heads.
Down to Donovan’s Rd corner and Alana and Humber take an unplanned detour towards Learmonth rather than turning left. Shaw and Livitsanis get on the front to steady the ship and ride tempo while the wayward pair pushed hard to regain contact, but the hesitation has cost time and the bunch is eager to press on...
Second and final lap, Burke gets caught out on corner 1, loses touch in the cross wind and waves fairwell.
The bunch are 6 rolling solid turns downwind (except for Humber who needed a breather). They soon have the three at the head of the race in their sights. The leading trio of Crowe, Edwards and Whelan sense the approach and sit up to recover before the final push.
The catch is made just before the Addington Road corner and Crowe and Co. turn themselves inside out to hold those wheels. Now there was nine riders in the leading bunch and only tumble weeds behind them...
Into Donovans and the pace immediately goes up as the homestraight beckons, however most riders realised that there is nothing behind and begin to ride for position...
1 Km to go... patience... patience... don't go yet... not yet... but 500 metres out the adrenalin takes hold of Alana who is racing this circuit for the first time. Alana cuts loose from second wheel, it’s too far out, however the bunch immediately reacts in what becomes a long range, downwind sprint finish.
Crowe goes over the top and looks to have it won, but from the clouds comes the Golden Jet - Humber - has found his sprinting legs and is storming through the pack. Shaw is on the right wheel (again), receiving an armchair ride through the field from Humber, whilst Linane is just trying to go with it and is putting up a great fight on the inside.
There’s still 100 metres to go. Crowe and Humber are side by side whilst the efforts of the others are withering.
To the line and Humber takes it by a wheel from Crowe, with Shaw third and Linane a bike length back in fourth. Livitsanis is riding dead but puts in just enough to pinch 5th in his own race.
Way back the leadout has commenced for eighth place, with Mirabella having taken over the massive leadout from Ellis. They’ve set it up for Gunston to scream away in the sprint.
Even further back the Scratch express has crested the final rise as Brien and Hendry follow wheels in the race to Fastest Time. Sporadic efforts by the Second Scratch riders set it all up for another swift finish with Hendry taking the final prize on offer.
Thank you to all whomade this day possible. Sharon Boyd, Matt Ayres, Michael Pierce and Mal Rock performed corner marshal duty, with Micahel Lynch providing a supporting hazard identification role (highlighting the pot holes).
Bill Goldfinch and Graeme Parker were race commissaires, whilst back at the club rooms Lois Goldfinch, Lyn Rock and Elaine Parker prepared the post race spread.
This day was also presentation day for Eureka Cycling Club.
Medals and prizes were handed out to the recipients of the Winter Aggregate Race Series and Geoff Edwards (winner of W.A.R.S. 2022) delivered a heart felt speech on how our marvellous club has changed his life. Thank you Geoff, this is why we do what we do!
Medals were also issued to the winners and place getters from the recent Club Road Race Championships. The place getters in this day’s event - The Livitsanis - received their medals. This event also counted towards the Club Aggregate for season 2022. It was another close affair with Jason Hendry earning the coveted title from Peter Livitsanis and Geoff Edwards.
Club President Stu Brien also presented Dean Wells with a Life Membership. Wells joins Lois Goldfinch, Bill Goldfinch, Terry Collie, Ken Heres and Mal Rock as recipients of this honour.
The Livitsanis (Blue Wheel Trophy race), 35 Km handicap results:
1st - Jeremy Humber (11 mins)
2nd - Steve Crowe (14 mins)
3rd - Dennis Shaw (11 mins)
4th - Steve Linane (11 mins)
5th - Peter Livitsanis (11 mins)
Fastest Time - Jason Hendry (Scratch) in 54m 0s, ave. 39.2 Kph
2022 Eureka Aggregate:
53 pts - Jason Hendry
49 pts - Peter Livitsanis
47 pts - Geoff Edwards
43 pts - Stu Brien
41 pts - Darryn Reed, Dean Wells
38 pts - Jason Birch
36 pts - Tony Mirabella
29 pts - Danny Whelan
26 pts - Evan King