14 February - Stewart Buslines Straight Line Sprint Results

World-first race format for MMBCC.

The Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club’s usual races are Handicap, Graded Scratch and an occasional Individual Time Trial.

But they say a change is as good as a holiday!

In what we think is a first (Possibly not a World-first but we’d go as far to claim an Australian-first) the race on Thursday 14 February saw a new ‘4-up sprint’ race format to give members a bit of a holiday.

The Stewart Buslines 4-up Sprint was held on Graves Road on a course only 800 metres long! (Sounds like a bit of a doddle, really.)

Heats were raced with four riders per heat. Based on the number of entrants, each rider had to compete in four heats; and there wasn’t much time to rest between heats! The best four points scorers from each grade then lined up for the grade final.

This four-up format brought together a unique combination of the tactics of track sprinting, the four-rider format of skier/boardercross and the point scoring of BMX.

20 entrants were divided up into two grades of 10; a total of 10 heats for each grade.

We certainly haven’t heard of the same format before. It seemed to go down very well with riders and spectators. The only voice of dissent heard was that of Dave Clark, who either needs to do some interval training, or needs to complain more quietly!

B-Grade came down to a final between David Jagger, Tim Hall, Rod Stewart and Uschi Steedman; Steedman proved too strong to win clearly from Hall, Stewart and Jagger.

A-Grade saw Tim Ross, Steve Plummer, Darren Bakker and Bruce Halket make it through to the final. In the closest finish of the night, Bakker managed to come around Halket on the line to take the win by a wheel. Ross took third ahead of Plummer.

Many thanks to Stewart Buslines for their sponsorship of the new race and their well-received prize money. Thanks also to Leonie, Lisa, Loretta, Annie and Di for officiating; and to all the spectators who lined the course at the finish line!

The MMBCC’s Summer Series continues on Thursday 21 February with the Bakker Plumbing Handicap on Howes Creek Road; starting at the Lord’s Ground. This is another of the club’s feature races of the summer with $300 of prize money up for grabs. Entries via SMS to 0428 503 437 by 8pm Wednesday 20 February please.

 

Cheers,

Bruce.

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Thursday 24 January - Whitfield Road

MMBCC race report



The first Handicap race of 2013 saw Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club members line up for the start at the Botanic Park on Thursday 24 January for 25km out to Sawpit Gully Road and back.

A stiff northerly headwind greeted the 16 riders. This brought a smile to the faces of the Scratch group riders; the headwind would theoretically favour them over the rest of the field. However, it would mean a very fast, return leg with such a strong tailwind.

First away was Tony Morris as the lone Limit rider off 17 minutes, followed by: Julie Dolling off 10.00; David Bock, Tim Hall and Tony Williams off 7.00; Steve Flew, John Lithgow, Tony Hausknecht and Christine Hopkins off 4.30; Chris Washusen, Bob Beattie and Will MacDonald made up the ‘Chopping Block’ off 4.00; and Scratch consisted of Ross Hopkins, Stefan Vaivars, Josh Hopwood and Bruce Halket.

With only 30 seconds separating Block and the group ahead, it was always likely these two groups would join together early, which they did. Good teamwork meant the seven worked well together into the wind.

Subsequently, Scratch rode all the way to the turnaround without catching anyone, making a mockery of their supposed advantage into the headwind.

Even before the turn, however, Scratch could see Morris still had a very healthy lead and would be difficult to catch.

Then the Indian connection kicked in.

The Hopkins’ have just returned from three weeks cycling in India and the fitness was evident on the way back into town. Christine had been working hard in the Block but Ross really turned the screws after the turn. It even proved too much for Hopwood who was dropped from Scratch just after Long Lane.

As Scratch neared their prey, Hopwood managed to will himself back into the group and took a huge turn up the Barwite Hill. Then Hopkins took over and, after a massive turn on the front which must have lasted a kilometre, attacked the Block group on the ‘Possums’ Hill and put a gap on them straight away.

Meanwhile, Morris quietly went about destroying the field. He crossed for the win 40 seconds clear in a time of 55.44.

Scratch stayed clear of Block despite Washusen and Hausknecht finally remembering what they were meant to do with their pedals. Halket took second ahead of Hopwood, Hopkins and Vaivars. But not far back were Beattie, MacDonald, Hausknecht, Washusen and Williams the final point scorer of the top ten.

As the first Scratchie home, Halket took fastest time of 39.24 and was awarded the Alpine Butchery award, possibly out of pity. Many thanks to Dave and Carol.

Many thanks also to Helen, Margaretanne, Dave, John, Darryl and George for volunteering and officiating and to the Hotel Delatite for the liquid post mortems.

The MMBCC’s Summer Series continues on January 31 with the notorious Black & Tan - a road race taking in a couple of dirt road sections. Sponsored by the SCODY High Country Cycle Challenge, the winner will win a free entry into the SHCCC on March 16 & 17, plus souvenir jersey and knicks. Entries via SMS to 0428 503 437 by 8pm Wednesday 30 January please.

 

 

RESULTS

1st - Tony Morris

2nd - Bruce Halket

3rd - Josh Hopwood

 

For all the results - CLICK HERE

 

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Thursday 17 January - Buller Road

RESULTS - Graded Scratch. Mt Buller Road. 17 January 2013.

 

A grade

1st Stefan Vaivars

2nd Bruce Halket

3rd Josh Hopwood

 

B grade

1st Chris Washusen

2nd Steve Plummer

3rd Will MacDonald

 

C grade

1st David Bock

2nd Julie Dolling

3rd Dick Forrest

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Thursday 20 December - Handicap Race - Whitfield Road (course number 06) - 25km

MMBCC race report - by Bruce Halket.

 

Cash! The lure of the filthy lucre brought out a large field of 32 riders for the MMBCC’s Hotel Delatite Christmas Handicap on Thursday 20 December on the Mansfield-Whitfield Road. The Hotel had generously donated a whopping $300 in prize money; plus more from the club made a total prize pool of $400!

Ten and a half minutes separated the lone Limit rider, Tony Morris, from the lone Scratch rider, Mitch Greenway. But in between were 30 other ‘money-hungry’ riders in six groups.

The biggest group, of seven, was ‘the Chopping Block’ which consisted of Mauro Brega, Bruce Halket, Andrew Gerrans, Stefan Vaivars, Laurie Harding, Ross Hopkins and Tom MacMunn. Mitch’s results in recent weeks have clearly shown he’s in very good form but giving this group of 7 a 30-second head start on a windy evening would prove difficult.

All groups started well, assisted by a reasonably strong southerly breeze. Even so, there were still a few early casualties of the hot pace: both Vaivars and Harding from Block and Tim Ross from the group ahead. The remains of Ross’ group - Darren Bakker, Josh Hopwood, Rob Greenway and Foley Lachal - were caught by Block just before the turnaround at Sawpit Gully Road; Mitch lurked just off the back and looked strong...

However, the second half of the race back into Mansfield proved Mitch’s undoing. On his own into a headwind trying to catch a group of 9 working well together proved a bit too difficult, even for him.

Block rolled turns into the headwind and had caught all the rest of the field by the Barwite Road hill, with about 2km to go! A large group of ‘passengers‘ on the back and a bit of jockeying for position meant a large, potentially dangerous sprint finish looked likely.

However, in a great move, MacMunn and Brega attacked on the last hill and opened a good lead. Etiquette dictates that in Handicap races, anyone that starts in your group is your team-mate until 200 metres from the finish - with no-one from Block prepared to chase down their team-mates, MacMunn and Brega had what looked to be a race-winning lead.

Chris Washusen had a try but couldn’t bridge the gap. Then Mick Feeney had a big ‘go’ and got the bunch a bit closer. Just after Redgum Court, Gerrans and Bakker turned on the afterburners and sprinted side by side to the line! Gerrans took the win by the narrowest of margins.

Halket took third ahead of Steve Plummer, Rob Greenway, Hopwood, Brega held on for 7th, Hopkins, Washusen and Feeney rounded out the top ten places. Thanks to the Hotel Delatite, they were all rewarded with a bit of Christmas spending money. Presentations back at the hotel also saw fastest time awarded to Gerrans (37min 49secs; an average of over 40km/h!)

Many thanks to our volunteers and officials: Julie, Jenny, Fiona, Rachel, Leonie, Tony and George. The Alpine Butchery voucher was awarded to George Chalk for his never-ending help with marshalling and officiating.

The MMBCC’s Summer Series resumes in 2013 on Thursday 17 January on the same ‘Tolmie Road’ course. Entries via SMS to 0438 513 355 by 8pm Wednesday 16 January please.

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Thursday 15 November 2012

MMBCC race report

 

A new course brought out a big field for the Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club for the Handicap race on Howes Creek Road on Thursday 15 November. 33 riders were on the start list for the first new course in years - however only 32 actually raced. (More of that later!)

There were also a few new faces in the peloton; Tony Hausknecht was in for his first race after months of procrastination; Chris Munro and James Black visited from Melbourne, on their way to Jamieson for the weekend’s ‘Tour de Jamieson.’

With Dick Forrest a last moment withdrawal, Dave Clark and Chris Washusen led the field away as Limit. They were followed out over the next 9 minutes 15 seconds by six more groups, culminating in a large, 7-strong Scratch group looking to take its first win of the season.

A blend of smooth, even turns and shared workload saw Scratch start very quickly and catch Block before half-way. But this combined group of 12 didn’t work so well together; it was left mainly to Munro, Mitch Greenway, Mauro Brega and Darren Bakker to do most of the work to the turnaround.

Munro and Greenway reinforced their strength after the turnaround. As the slower groups were caught, they opened a small break to the rest of Scratch and Block within a couple of kilometres of the finish and were never caught. Greenway managed to take the win, and fastest time (of 44.39), just ahead of Munro.

In a sprint for the minor placings, Bruce Halket snatched third from Tim Ross and Ross Hopkins. Brega, Bakker, Hausknecht, Steve Plummer and Uschi Steedman rounded out the top ten.

Special mention has to be made of this week’s 33rd entrant; Dick Forrest. He drove in from Barjarg, jumped out of his ute in all his cycling gear, put his helmet and shoes on - ready to ride. The only problem is... he forgot the bike!

The ‘gutsy’ award from Alpine Butchery was awarded to Clark for hanging on grimly to the finish. The Mansfield Zoo voucher was almost awarded to Dick Forrest for being a ‘goose!’ But it eventually went to Munro; that should keep the kids entertained while he’s out riding the Tour de Jamieson.

After consecutive wins to Block on previous weeks, the ‘natural order’ was restored this week with Scratch holding sway. This and other slightly less-controversial topics were discussed in great depth at Hotel Delatite afterwards over dinner, many thanks to them and their patient maitre’d, Nick Popovic.

Many thanks to our volunteers and officials: Mick, Tony, Julie, Lachie, Mark, Helen, Leonie and Tom. Thanks also to the residents and motorists along Howes Creek Road; seeing bunches of bike riders in their ‘patch’ was an unfamiliar sight and we appreciate their patient and courtesy and hope you found the same from MMBCC members.

Next week’s race will be a Graded Scratch race on the Buller Road. Entries via SMS to 0438 513 355 by 8pm Wednesday please, no late entries will be accepted.

Bruce Halket

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Thursday 8 November - Barwite Loop

Thursday evening Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club held a handicap race anti-clockwise around the Barwite Loop course, starting at the BP Roadhouse and finishing at Botanic Park.  Some 25 riders greeted the starter.

The ‘limit’ group of David Jagger, Dave Clark, Dick Forrest and Chris Washusen were first off, followed at varying intervals by five other groups, then finally the ‘scratch’ bunch of Josh Hopwood, Bruce Halket, Laurie Harding and Ross Hopkins set off last, some seven and a half minutes later.

Alain Guerin struggled early, dropping off his group and earning himself a long lonely ride on his own.  The outrageously steep pinch up Coombs Hill is always a nasty reality check but by and large groups stayed together as they struggled over it and started on the long ride back to Mansfield.  Di Condie didn’t enjoy the climb, but had the good fortune and strength to join Steve Plummer and Mick Feeney as they went past.

The ride was all about the ‘block’ group (the second last group off) of Darren Bakker, Tim Ross and Cam Lachel however.  After catching Plummer, Feeney and Condie going over Coombs Hill the now larger group gradually rounded up groups ahead on the long stretch up Barwite Road.  Turning the corner into Tolmie Road for the final leg there was a long train of riders and before long the limit markers had been caught.  Bakker and Lachel took turns to attack, but it’s hard to get away from such a large group, and coming up to the final hill you could throw a blanket over twenty riders.

Tim Ross and Bakker hit the hill hard, pulling thirty meters clear.  With Bakker feeling the effects of his earlier efforts, Ross put his head down, peddled hard, was able to hold the advantage for a narrow but clear win.  Bakker, Plummer and Christine Hopkins contested a tight sprint for the minor placing’s. 

Scratch worked well together, but the two minute deficit proved too much, and when Bruce Halket crossed the line to record fastest time they were still 20 seconds behind the winner.

Handicapper Di Condie always aims for a tightly contested race and close finish, and so can be rightly proud of her efforts this week.

Riders then retired to sponsors Delatite Hotel for tea and post-mortems.  Thanks to our volunteer marshalls including Julie Dolling, Jenny Lovick and Tony Ryan, and commissaire Sharron Jones, without whom our races couldn’t run.  This week there will be a handicap race over a new 24km out Howes Creek Road, starting at the Lords Ground.  Entries to Di Condie by 8pm Wednesday night please.

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Thursday 11 October 2012

Mansfield-Mt Buller Cycling club's summer road series kicked off last Thursday with, ironically, a fresh dump of snow as the backdrop for the Whitfield Rd graded scratch. In A grade, Bruce Halket, Josh Hopwood, Jock Brega and Tim Ross took off whilst Ian Conrick, Di Condie, Steve Plummer, Allan Gerrans, Rod Stewart and Christine Hopkins started two minutes later in B Grade. Dick Forrest, Geoff Jones, David Bock and Daryl Rielly made up the C Grade bunch.
 
Bruce Halket tried an attack off the front before the turnaround but found his colleagues were on the ball and quickly reeled him in. Without any further action the bunch headed to the line with Tim Ross making a decisive move with fifty meters to go and taking the resulting victory.  
 
In B Grade, Steve, Ian and Christine put the pressure on prior to the turnaround and split the bunch. Steve and Chris then jumped Ian at Possums before Steve applied his years of experience to overtake Christine in what was a great first ride for her.
 
C grade worked together for a lot of the course before separating into personal comfort zones and finishing separately with Geoff Jones looking strong and taking out an easy first place. Christine took out the Alpine Butchery best effort award. Thanks to them and the Delatite Hotel for sponsoring the evening.

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Sunday 29 April - Black and Tan

MMBCC road race report

 

Black and Tan. The mere words strike fear into the heart of many a member of the Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Club. Not because they fear a mix of stout and lager at the post-race carbohydrate re-fuelling. It’s because the Black and Tan is a road race which mixes the black of sealed roads with the tan of dirt roads.

A sunny Sunday (29 April) morning saw six of the club’s ‘hardest’ members line up for a start - five of them handicapped by a late night at Jane’s Diplock’s Ride to Conquer Cancer fundraiser 80’s night - with far too many carbohydrates consumed! A seventh entrant, Darren ‘Cher’ Bakker, was so severely handicapped by the 80’s night that he wasn’t even able to get out of bed, let alone make the startline.

First to start from the BP Roadhouse was Di Condie as the Limit group off 11 minutes and 30 seconds. She was followed by Craig ‘Wil’ Wilson off 8:30; Steve Flew off 5:30; Mauro Brega and Bruce Halket off 1:00 and Josh Hopwood was the ‘lucky bloke’ to start on his own as Scratch.

The first 6km were ridden on the Buller Road heading towards Merrijig and were relatively uneventful. However, the first left turn onto Scully’s Lane and onto the dirt was followed soon after by the first casualty - Wil had just caught and passed Di when he punctured half way along Sculley’s Lane. So he was forced to wait for Tony Ryan in the safety car for a lift as he watched the rest of the field go past.

The middle 15km back on tarmac saw the next ‘casualty’ as Di Condie was caught again. She couldn’t stay with Steve but managed to hang onto Jock and Bruce as they came through, forming the biggest bunch of the race; and Josh wasn’t far back.

From the heady heights of the ‘Barwite HIll’ the ‘peloton’ could see Steve a long way ahead but, with another section of dirt to come, thought they still had a chance. But the bunch started breaking up on Mt Battery Road: first Di dropped off near the Showgrounds, then Bruce almost fell off with surprise when he dropped Jock on the second ‘tan’ section.

However, Steve was just too strong - not attending the 80’s night did his riding no harm! He turned off the dirt and onto Graves Road to win well clear of the field in a time of 1 hour, 4.23 minutes (corrected to 58.23.)

Bruce managed to hang for second (and fastest time of 55.07) over a minute later, just ahead of Jock, Josh and Di.

For his win, Steve won a free entry into the 2013 SCODY High Country Cycle Challenge, which was well worth getting out of bed for!

Many thanks to all our officials: Leonie, Tony, Laurie, Tony and Dave. (Yes, two Tonys!)

MMBCC Dirt Crits continue at the Riflebutts Reserve each Sunday and a Social road ride will be held between Alexandra and Eildon (with lunch at Alex) on Sunday 6 June. Details of all these rides on the calendar page. And photos on the pictures page.

 

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