Narrabundah Track Racing – 4th February
There
were 18 starters for the Wednesday 4 February track session. The
weather was overcast but dry with a fresh headwind causing difficulty
down the front straight.
With
the season maturing, the A and B Grade scratch races were extended to
12 laps. The longer event provides more opportunities for tactical
riding. This was born out in A Grade as Ben Robey and Kerry Knowler put
in an early attack that established a handy lead. In due course, the
break was brought back and a late break established by a group that
included Andrew Peel, Ben Robey, Michael Langdon and Steve Jones. Steve
Jones took the sprint from Michael Langdon and Andrew Peel. In B Grade,
Aaron Rockey, Phil Anderson and Bruce Griffin proved strong, as usual.
However, James Meredith put in a great performance stuck on the lead
group like a limpet. Ultimately Aaron Rockey pipped Phil Anderson and
Bruce Griffin for the honours.
The
2 Lap handicap had some surprises. In A grade, Kerry Knowler put on a
great show from a front mark and could not be caught. Michael Langdon
and Alan Bontjer took second and third place. In B grade there was a
dead heat for the win between Phil Anderson and Bruce Griffin, to the
great satisfaction of the handicapper. James Meredith was having a good
day and took some catching before taking third place.
The
next event, a 6 lap Snowball, was a challenge to score. The first lap
was neutralised, after which there were gradually escalating points for
places on each lap. It is a tricky event tactically. Various riders made
good attempts to garner early points. However, with the first few laps
down, Steve Jones asserted his dominance by taking the sprint in each
lap. Steve took a win followed by Aaron Sedgemen and Michael Langdon who
were both very enterprising in this race. In B Grade, yours truly tried
to compensate for lack of form by taking a flier after the neutralised
lap. The effort was run down easily by Phil Anderson. From that point
Phil Anderson, Aaron Rockey and Bruce Griffin garnered most points on
offer. Ultimately Phil Anderson took a well deserved win from Aaron
Rockey and Bruce Griffin.
The
track session concluded with a 6 lap race in which B grade were given a
very handy start. A grade were well aware that the pursuit was a
challenge, so Alan Bontjer sacrificed his chances with a solid three lap
lead out that put A grade in the box seat. B grade worked well
initially, but the earlier races had taken a toll, so their pace and
form could not be held. With B grade caught, Steve Jones, Aaron Sedgemen
and Ben Robey took first to third places.
Major place getters were as follows:
10 Lap Scratch: (A Grade) Steve Jones, Michael Langdon; Andrew Peel (B Grade) Aaron Rockey, Phil Anderson, Bruce Griffin.
2
Lap Handicap: (A Grade) Kerry Knowler, Michael Langdon; Alan Bontjer (B
Grade) Bruce Griffin & Phil Anderson (dead heat), James Meredith
Snowball
Race (A Grade): Steve Jones (11 pts), Aaron Sedgemen (9 pts), Michael
Langdon (8 pts) (B Grade) Phil Anderson (14 pts), Aaron Rockey (10 pts),
Bruce Griffin (6 pts).
6 Lap Scratch (with B Grade early start): Steve Jones, Aaron Sedgemen; Ben Robey.
Graeme O'Neill