Northern Vets Cycling Club

• 2005
• 2006
• 2007
• 2008
• 2009

The WFG Northern Vets had a perfect day for racing at Bishopsbourne heading out and back over the Blackwood Creek road which always proves to be a challenging course.

The WFG Northern Vets battled strong head winds on their return from the Nile which saw many riders just glad to see the finish line. David Frost rode strongly on his new bike to take out G Grade from Jeff Garwood and Mary Williams. In F Grade Sue Dowling managed to jump Richard Richardson on the line to win with Sue McBeath finishing in 3rd place. E grade saw two of our longest serving members Bob Mason and Roger Whittle battle it out with Bob taking out the sprint for the win.

Steve Tristam narrowly missed a promotion to C grade and rode strongly to take out D grade from Phil Stevenson and Vince Rowbottom and may not be so lucky next week. Vince, in his first ride with the club, showed he was no stranger to the world of racing and looked comfortable in the closing stages of the race.

Steve Muir took out a depleted C grade, while newcomers to the grade Andy Wells and Rob Nimmo seemed destined to stay there after coming in 2nd and 3rd. In B grade Julian Clayton unleashed his sprinting prowess and just pipped Adam Sanders who rode strongly in the tough conditions, while Johnathon Bishop finished in 3rd. A grade saw Dane Leedham take out another race, having rode strongly all race he then led out from 250m and did well to hold off Brian Dabner and Mike Walsh for the win.

Next week's race is at Bishopsbourne and duty riders are: A. Ashton, J. Frost & J.Brock

WFG Northern Vets faced some wet and cold conditions at Longford for a 40km graded mass start on Sunday. The race started and finished on Panshanger Road, with cyclists racing over an undulating course that always provides a tough workout for all starters.

In G grade, it was Jeff Garwood who again proved that age is no issue taking the win ahead of David Frost. F grade was a terrific contest with a nice bunch setting themselves for a sprint finish which saw Ian Simms timing his surge for the line perfectly to cross first, just ahead of improving new-comer Sue Dowling. Phil Stephenson riding in E grade has stepped up again showing all in his grade that he can finish-off, taking another win in a tough contest from Bob Mason and Rik Easton.

D grade hit out hard from the start and caught C grade before the halfway mark. The two groups then raced together over the rest of the course with the stronger riders from both grades riding hard, making for a very tough battle to the finish. Both groups were also together for a bunch sprint finish which provided a nice lead-out for the sprinters. It was Jeff McMahon who jumped out of the pack to take first place in C grade, closely followed by Dave Bingley. Craig Burrows is now starting to find some of his old form and was mixing it with C grade in the sprint. Burrows took the win in D grade from Rob Nimmo who is also getting stronger every week.

A and B grades raced together and shared the work until the attacks started just after the turn. The attacks and the tactics continued all the way to the end which came down to a battle of nerves as the finish line was in sight. Bill Chilvers, who had gained a break from Scott Freeburg, cruised over the line to win B grade. Brian Dabner jumped out in the last 200 metres and just held on to win A grade from a fast finishing Sam Pratt.

Sunday’s WFG Vets Whitemore handicap race attracted over 40 riders to battle for the 7 places on offer. D and E had merged at the half-way mark to lead the race with only a minute separating them from B and C who had also come together. When the backmarkers saw the size of the groups coming back with the tail wind they knew they had their work cut out for them. With 7km to go, B & C grade caught the D & E group and the bunch took some time to sort itself out, but not enough for the backmarkers to close the gap.

The front bunch lined up for an all up sprint with place getters coming from B, C and D grade riders. It was Neil Wesley who took out the sprint from fellow B grader Nik Preece, with the next two places going to D grade riders Steve Tristam and Rob Nimmo. Jason Andersch returned to Vets where he left off with another great ride taking out fastest time.

Sunshine greeted the WFG Vets with an impressive number of starters once again lining up for a graded mass start at Longford. All starters were keen to get back to racing after missing the last couple of weeks due to inclement weather.

F & G grades headed off together but soon separated after the start. F grade numbers continue to grow with new riders joining the club and it was Sue Dowling who applied the pressure all race and proved she can also finish it off with another win. Alister Euler continues to improve and now has the handicapper considering a move after he took the honours once again in E grade. Alister was challenged all the way to the line by Bob Mason and Gavin Moore but had both covered in a good sprint finish.

D grade was a tough contest with some strong efforts coming from Andy Wells but he was unable to shake the other riders with a final surge to the line which saw Michelle Dabner judge a perfect sprint to take the win. Jeff McMahon easily won the sprint for places in C grade and is obviously starting to regain some previous form. Steve Muir who also continues to impress and finish in the places each week finished second followed closely by Gary Woodfall.

A & B grades started and stayed together for the entire race with just a few attacks being shut-down quickly. It was Roger Butorac riding in B grade who had the first hit-out over Armstrong’s Lane but the other riders in B grade worked together and brought him back. A grade saw Darren Cook jump away just before the sprint but again the pack re-grouped for an all-up sprint. Steve Ockerby started the sprint early in B grade and held on to win ahead of a fast finishing Julian Clayton. Dane Leedham proved that speed work on the indoor trainer is the answer after he charged from well back to win A grade comfortably.