Training Monday-
Most of the talk and work revolved around 200 meter TT sprint qualifying line.
Training Tuesday-
As above.
Wednesday, Day 1 of racing-Time Trials
Today was time trial day and proved to be the beginning of a big week for the group. It kicked off with outstanding performances by the women and 1 older rider then continued after a short break with many eye-opening performances. I can’t remember the actual order in which our riders took to the track but it was action from start to finish.
Sue Powell (40.980s), pressuring all competitors in division 3-4 with an opening ride that would hold up for a bronze, was supported by Kerry Knowler (with a 6 second PB and 5th place- 41.791s), and Terry Moore (in 11th less than 4 second from a medal- 44.469s) .
Vanessa Essam achieved a 2 second PB (44.703s) and placed 7th in a world class field which included multiple world champion, Michelle Crawford.
Jim Veal (38.275s) had to settle for silver behind the near-unbeatable Ron Boyle.
In div 4 men we had three starters and 3 PB’s (I think) and their placings were also good with Gary Aisbitt (53.786s) 5th, Mark Harris (55.628s) 8th and Anthony “Sluggo” O’Connor (58.407s) 11th.
Men division 3 saw four Tuggeranong entries and the start to the group’s gold rush. I (Michael Aisbitt) was lucky enough to put it all together for a win, whilst being ably supported by Bill Laing (53.892s, 8th), Neil Skipper (53.823s, 9th) and Allan Bontjer (58.9s, 12th).
Last but definitely not least was Gerry Elias. Gerry made the long trip to Tassie only to find that no other division 1 rider had made the effort. This left Gerry with no official rides in either Time Trial or Sprint events that he had entered. This was a great disappointment for Gerry and the group, but thanks must go to the officials for allowing him to ride for times in both disciplines. Gerry’s time of 1:15 was around the time he produce 2 weeks earlier in Sydney, but here in much cooler conditions.
Thursday, Day 2- Pursuits
Big things were expected from many riders today and most delivered. I’ll say from the outset that all riders that rode the pursuits were again (as for yesterdays TT’s) up against the weather which when cooler has a negative influence on performance. Considering these conditions it could be said that all entrants performed to, or above, their usual ability. So here’s how it went.
Jim once again medalled but this time with his maiden national championship gold!
Kerry went pedal for pedal with friend and reigning world pursuit champion, Megan Marsh. She only lost by a small margin and for a fresh trackie it was a top effort- 2:37.488 and 2:37.427. Terry looked totally in control during her 2:55.773 pursuit and I for one am eager to see the improvements in the near future- a great first up pursuit. Sue had a bit of a struggle in her pursuit with the dual attempt of racing 2km (2:57) and then to continue riding for a 3km time.
Vanessa slashed over 4 second from her time in NSW champs 2 weeks earlier- 2:53.031.
Neil (3:41.162) and the other div 3’s, Allan (4:09.38, I thought it was faster) and me (don’t ask the time), failed to qualify for finals.
Mark and Anthony achieved great times of 3:47.707 and 4:02.695 for the div 4 contingent.
Friday, day 3- Team sprint and bunch races (either scratch or point score)
Team events are always a fun thing to be involved with and today proved true. As I have already mentioned, there was issues with lack of division 1 competitors…SO, team spirit took over with a total reshuffle of the “regular” line-ups to allow for Gerry to have an official ride. A big team hug goes to Neil for stepping back from race duty- he was the second youngest. Oh yes, I forgot to mention that cumulative team age must be equal to or over 135 years! So what happened was that all teams rode admirably, finishing within about 1 second of each other in the qualifying round. Results were:
Team Harris, Laing and Bontjer 6th with 60.493 seconds.
Team Sluggo, Veal and Elias 8th with 61.319 seconds
The team of Gorrell, Aisbitt and Aisbitt was lucky to qualify for the bronze medal final (59.041s) after a team was DQ’ed for a rule infringement. Thereafter, like all good teams, they rose to the challenge improving approximately 1.5 seconds (57.78s) to claim the medal.
Bunch races = OMG!
Kerry just made them look silly in the final 1.5 laps. Riding on and then off the front of the lead pack to win by 3 lengths, this all after attacking from the start gun, then again at about half way. Terry stay in the pack for most of the race and claimed 5th place.
Neil stepped up for the 20 km point score after having done the noble team member thing and, after a ding dong battle, it came down to a 4 way race with 1 sprint to go. Neil managed to gain valuable points over the others to gain another national championship. Allan slogged it out all the way and seemed to be getting better through the distance. Me… DNF!
Division 4 would have to be the most competitive age and this race was the one to watch. From the start it was as if someone had thrown a hand grenade in to the bunch- bodies all over the track. Attack after attack, sprint after sprint- it was on. ACT resident Graeme Allbon, our own Mark Harris and Craig Taylor (Ipswich CC) went head to head for the entire 20km. They finished in that order, with 2nd, 3rd and 4th placing (Tony Unicomb, Sutherland) decided on the final sprint! Tony “Sluggo” fought to the end and having lost a few early laps settled into the small group of finishers. I can’t remember ever seeing him DNF!
Jim “Bling” Veal tried valiantly to wrestle gold away from his nemesis, Ron Boyle, but had to settle for silver, though he is cutting the gap- maybe next time Jim!
Finally, Vanessa stuck with the group until the final surge was unleased and powered home for 6th, despite running on only 50% lung function! Look out for her result next time!
Saturday, final day (sprints)
Yet another top day for the masters group, this time in the sprint event.
Sprint day is always a long, tense day of competition and this one was just the same. All masters rode well in qualifying and most advanced to the next stage of racing- the quarter finals. Jim, Bill, Kerry, Neil, Mark, Ray, Gary rode through the rounds. Allan and Anthony went straight into the minor placing run offs.
Jim once again met Ron in the race for gold with Ron again taking the victory. He is so determined to get a win over Ron and is already planning the assault. Jim in the gym!
Kerry, in her first sprint series, progressed to the gold medal run-off, and shocked her world champion opponent with hard and fast racing. Alas, inexperience and a slight lack of top speed saw her going down to Julie Barnett, but winning silver.
Bill led the way in division 3 qualifying in 2nd. Tactically Bill rode extremely well and all his hard work with the likes of Alex, Gerry, Gary, Kial and Danny showed. Unfortunately he failed to realise the potential of a few riders he faced and made his day on the track much more difficult than it should have been. In the end he succumbed to the event organiser, Justin McMullen, in the ride off for bronze. So close and yet so far! Bill will only improve from this racing and prove his ability. Neil and Allan placed 5th and 9th.
Division 4 had big numbers and fierce competition plus 4 ACT starters. Mark, Sluggo, Ray and Gary did the ACT proud placing 7th, 10th, 6th and 5th.
THANKS.
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Once again a big thankyou must go out to Gerry for showing wonderful team spirit after the disappointment of next to no racing. Gerry pushed, held, and was mechanic and manager for many riders during the series and this assistance is extremely important for the smooth running of team activities.
Kate and Lyn (Mrs. Sluggo and Mrs. Bling- the “Food Fairies”) had volunteered to cater for the group during the week away, and I can honestly say that this made the championship series infinitely easier for the racers as food would magically appear both at the track and in our motel fridges. Food and cyclists… say n’more.
Derek assisted many riders through the pursuit series and was always there to discuss race strategy and lend invaluable experience to all. Thanks!!
Huge thanks must go to all supporters and groupies that made the trip to Tasmania. The ACT masters group are definitely the biggest, friendliest, approachable, noisiest and most supportive group of riders attending track races at present, plus had the most vocal fan club whilst over the Tasman.
Finally, thanks to the riders. It’s always a pleasure to travel, race and be in your company. What a brilliant group of people.
Summary.
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The week of the National Masters Track cycling Championship was an excellent week of racing with outstanding performance by all. It was surprisingly relaxed in the running of the series which is a testament to the organiser, Justin.
Apology:
To anyone that I haven’t mentioned in the results! Not intended. You’ll get over it.
Michael
