Northern Cycling Club Championships and Secret Handicap - Race Report
After a cancellation last year at Lancefield because of the choppped up roads after weeks of spring rain, the day had arrived for the 2023 Northern Cycling Club Championships and Secret Handicap at Glenaroua, outside of Broadford. The circuit will be familiar to those of you who have ridden in the Northern Combine's Pop Stuart Handicap in recent times and is well used by the Seymour-Broadford club members for their local club races. First of all, let's take a look at what this is all about, because there are three races within one event: The Secret Handicap, Age Group Championship and Club Championship. All riders start at the same time, without knowing what their handicap is, which is what makes this such an interesting ride. It's every rider for themselves and turns every other rider into a nemesis who must be dropped at all costs. Age Group champions are for the fastest rider in masters categories and the Club Champion is the fastest rider on the day.
 |
| Tom McDonagh and Morgan Belbruno |
The rules Northern Cycling 2023 Major Awards Qualification: Northern primary and add on members two major aggregates (Northern members overall aggregate / Northern women’s overall aggregate) and club championship race, will require 6 races and two of those races must be a handicap event (excluding any handicap events at National Blvd).
The conditions WNW winds, gusting to 25-30km/h, overcast skies and 11-15 degrees, with the wind chill making it feel more like single digits. A few potholes here and there, but marked well enough to be avoided.
The field. 29 starters, consisting of 4 women and 25 men. If you've ever raced at Northern, you will know that the riders here are as canny and cunning a bunch as you will find anywhere. Sandbaggers, wheel suckers, breakaway specialists, time trialists, loveable rogues and the occasional former-pro.
The course Two laps of 32.5km with approximately 400m of vertical gain per lap at an average of 1.2%, but that doesn't tell the true story. This course is a pure sprinters nightmare and definitely one more suited to the climbers and puncheurs. The Sugar Loaf Creek climb averages 8.5% for 500m and the last 2km of the Broadford-Glenaroua Rd which averages 3.5%, are both critical segments of the course where the stronger riders will do their best to drop their less adapted opposition.
The startline looked ominous, with Emilio Romano sitting in poll position, no doubt ready to launch an attack from the gun. On the second row of the grid, the evergreen and three time club champion, Tommy McDonough and Garry Clively, knew from experience not to get caught napping at the back of the bunch. Meanwhile four rows back, I'm lined up with Nathan D'Arcy, feeling boxed in and wondering how I'm going to be able to weave through a dozen riders if there are fireworks from the gun. Too late, I'll just have to be ready to react if Emilio decides to go hard early.
The start The starter lets us go and true to form, the pace is on with an early attack from Emilio which is quickly reigned in. The main bunch of a dozen or so riders consisting of A, B and a smattering of C graders push the pace early. A few hardened riders try their luck with a breakaway, but nothing sticks until Trevor Coulter and Fuad Nasir manage to break away. Before too long, Andrew Garrett's fear of missing out gets the better of him and he winds things up from a long way back to bridge across to the leaders. Three riders might be a chance to stay away if they work together, but they don't. Today it's mano a mano!
The race As the main bunch hit the top of the Sugar Loaf Creek climb, the surprise packet is Tommy McDonough who has clearly taken the speed suit out of mothballs for the occasion and is showing good form. Meanwhile at the front of the bunch, Emilio does his best to inflict some pain on the group, but not enough to lose anyone. With 2km left on lap one we pick up Andrew Garrett. While the peloton went through its regular cycle of attacks, surges and the occasional moment of calm, Tim Anderson managed to ride himself back onto the main bunch and into contention riding his own race at a consistent pace. Things settle down as the peloton goes through the first lap in 54:15.
At the front of the race, Trevor and Fuad went through the first lap in 53:35, a handy 40 second lead on their rivals behind. Now on the last lap, the main bunch was beginning to thin as more attacks loomed. Andrew Garrett was shed about a km into lap two; rumour has it that he ran out of matches and forgot to bring his lighter. Craig Harvey and Morgan Belbruno both also shelled. With the two out front, the main bunch was down to Aaron Christiansen, Tony Giuliano, Shayne Kirby, Garry Clively, Emilio Romano, Fabian Dorbolo and myself. Aaron had a couple of digs and I tried to go with him, but Aaron was in a class of his own. This effort cost me dearly as we reached the last two kms of the Broadford-Glenaroua Rd rollers and I was dropped. Dropped on the Rollers. Tim Anderson was 50m behind me and I had to make a decision, wait for him or go solo. I decide on the latter and settle into a consistent effort.
Eight minutes later I am back with the bunch, who have reigned in Trevor and Fuad. Happy days, I think to myself. Looks like I wasn't the only one needing a breather after those big attacks. Next up was Sugar Loaf Creek climb #2 where more pain was inflicted by Emilio launching his now trademark hill attacks. My virtual rubber band was being stretched to its max while every other rider gapped me on the plateau. Somehow I push through just enough to get back on the wheel, as the pace eased ever so slightly.
The finish With 8km to go, Aaron launched a strong attack off my wheel and despite the attempts of the bunch, no one individual rider had the gas left to go with him as he rode his way clear. Perhaps with a few less efforts it might have been a possibility, but Aaron was clearly in a class of his own. It was like Aaron’s attack sucked the wind out of our sails. The bunch changed down a gear, perhaps looking to save what little they had left in the tank for the sprint. Unfortunately for me, there was no hill to finish on, so for the sprint it was a fast finishing Tony Guiliano who took second place from Shayne Kirby in third place.
I had a sense of accomplishment knowing that I had managed to stay with the bunch, but would it be enough for the handicap? Behind me the determined pair of Tim Anderson and Tom McDonough sticking to the task at hand, both finishing within 90 seconds of me and taking first and second in the handicap.
Aaron Christiansen, rode an outstanding race, with the fastest time on the day, putting 2 minutes into the main bunch in the last 8km and deserves his status as Club Champion for 2023.
Sandra Prosenica was the Women's handicap winner and 6th on handicap from Stephanie Young in 23rd position.
Post race comments
The winner When asked how the race was won, Tim Anderson's reply was that "I nearly gave myself a heart attack trying to chase down the lead bunch". Once he was dropped on the second lap heading up the rolling hills towards Sugar Loaf Creek Road. Tim channelled his inner Dory from the movie Finding Nemo and "Just kept swimming".
Second Place Tom McDonough commented "I'm disappointed trying to hold my handicap, but couldn't hold the wheel in cross winds. I was happy to be only C grader left after lap 1. Thanks for the help from the A grade riders on the last lap".
The Breakaway Trevor later commented that they probably didn't keep the pace consistent enough to make the breakaway effective.
Garry Clively "you do too much" Looking at the footage from my onboard camera, I'm inclined to agree.
Club Champion Aaron reported "this was a goal race for me" and needless to say he rode it to perfection.
Thanks to the volunteers, officials and corner mashalls, without whom, our racing cannot happen. You guys are the best.
Comments
Post a Comment