Tyers 27 March 2002

The last race of the summer was conducted on Wed 27th March with 22 riders taking to the start line.

A scratch race was the order of the night with B grade having the largest field. C Grade was sent away first and set a hot pace on the way to Toms Bridge. Bruce Evanson kept some pressure on the climb past the old Yallourn North extension open cut and on to the first turn. The bunch worked well on the way to Derhams hill where Bruce Evanson once again kept the pressure high. Tim Buckley was finding the pace a bit tough but managed to regain contact once over the hill. Daryl Griggs began to show some strength heading along the back of the mill and kept the bunch working hard. Heading up to the round about at the Mill when Tim Buckley ran out of legs and so did Helmut Kolab but only temporary as he managed to regain contact heading towards Traralgon. Once on Scrubby Lane, Daryl Griggs launched himself from the back of the field and had riders looking for gears in the hope of chasing the flying Griggs down. Vic Spunner went to the front and pulled Griggs back to the bunch. Just before the bunch headed down the Cemetery Hill, Griggs attacked again only to be pulled back into the fold. Turning into the finish straight it was all together. Griggs tried once more but was brought back by Vic Spunner. Bruce Evanson lead out the sprint a bit too far from home and was overrun by Vic Spunner with Griggs filling third position.

B grade headed off with 9 riders and the race very open. Track specialist Rick Talbot was sure to be in amongst the places should he make it to the finish with the bunch. Unfortunately for Rick, the constant pace was too high and he had to settle for a training ride to the finish. Alan Beveridge,Dave Shanahan and Jim Peachey were all riding well and were looking to be the ones to beat. Bulldog Hiriat was trying to stir things up but found himself suffering out the back as the bunch headed towards the finish. As the riders jostled for position, Dave Shanahan found himself out front and decided to put his head down and motor to the finish. His only problem was that Alan Beveridge was glued to his wheel and with about 200m left to race, Beveridge pulled off the wheel and accelerated past Shanahan to record a solid win. Jim Peachey tried all of the way to the line and claimed third place.

A Grade set out with 8 riders. Chris Kyrpriotis was making a cameo appearance and did his best to liven up the race. Most of the bunch was happy to roll turns for the first part of the race. Kypriotis had been resting on the back of the bunch and began to attack on the way to the mill. The bunch was wary of his talent and continually brought him back. Peter Verhagen was looking sharp after competing in the Blue Rock Classic and recording a good time in the 20km cycle leg. The bunch continued along as Kypriotis tried several times to get away only to be brought back by local stompers Niall Thompson and Shaun Cattanach who are trying to gain some last minute speed in their legs before some up coming events. The bunch continued to work well and as the race headed towards the finish, it was the sprinters who were once again lining up to take the money. In the sprint to the line it was Wayne Collins showing to much speed for Darren Spiteri and Glen Gibson.

A Grade
1. Wayne Collins
2. Darren Spiteri
3. Glen Gibson

B Grade
1. Alan Beveridge
2. Dave Shanahan
3. Jim Peachey

C Grade
1. Vic Spunner
2. Bruce Evanson
3. Daryl Griggs

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