Andrews wins Loop of Sea Cows Bay
Those absent were almost too numerous to mention, but included Dave Pettigrew and Carolina Pettigrew, Alistair Abrehart, Justin Smit, Chris Potgieter, Shane Donovan, and Tim Clipstone.
However, despite the absence of the glory boys and girls, Officials were privileged to have some big name riders return to the mix, namely Commonwealth games time trial specialist Orano Andrews, Anthony Spencer, Statius Taliam and for the second race in a row Matt Crossman.
The course is fast and furious, and one best suited to power riders rather than the hill climb specialists, with only 3 serious climbs to negotiate, with lots of opportunities to put the power tap into action and nail those flat sections.
Billed as race that was going to be “tres rapide” with a requirement to stay tactically savvy, the early betting was on the likes of Andrews, Spencer, Crossman and Walker, all experienced racers known for aggressive styles and ready to attack at any given opportunity.
As the start approached, Spencer was clearly ready for the scuffle, and before the race starter could finish ‘on your marks’ Spencer was off to a flyer like a rat up a drainpipe, leaving his fellow riders looking bemused at the underhanded tactic.
Upon realisation that Spencer wasn’t going to stop, the rest of the field were after him like a pack of dogs on the scent. The first to catch the breakaway rider was Crossman, a man keen to display his pedigree as a racer for all conditions. Next to reel in the rule averse anarchist was top rider Orano Andrews and Iain Walker, who was feeling the benefit of catching Andrew’s draft.
This was to be the theme of the race; two groups, one made up of Spencer, Crossman, Andrews, Walker and Taluim, sprinting the distance like Mark Cavendish on amphetamines, the second group comprising of Gardner, Bloc Senior, Bloc Junior, Rusty Burns, Mike’ Master and Jim Cullimore, languishing at the back.
The first half of the lap was wheel to wheel at the tete de la course, no quarter given, none taken, until Slaney Hill. The hill, short but steep, saw most riders selecting the granny gear, trying to preserve themselves for the long race ahead. That is with the exception of Andrews and Crossman who saw the opportunity to make a break and they took it, leaving a struggling Spencer and Walker to knock heads and Taluim to attempt a faux attack, more symbolic than serious.
Heading down into town for the close of the first lap Andrews and Crossman were stuck together as if in embrace, Taluim still trying to establish a lead from the chasing duo of Walker and Spencer. Then came the big error of the day from Walker. Seeing that he was catching Vicious and ignoring Spencer’s directional calls, Walker took a wrong turning which resulted in a turnaround and a climb with lost momentum.
At the very front now, Andrews superiority was starting to show as he pulled away from Crossman, who’s attempts to wheel in the time trial specialist were lacking to say the least. Crossman would now be keeping an eye over his shoulder. The battle between Taluim and Spencer was also reaching a climax, with the veteran triathlete digging deep and dropping the aggressively named challenger like he was hot.
Coming into the close of the race now and Andrews had sealed a well fought victory, with the unmistakable figure of Crossman crossing the line just 2 minutes behind the cycling guru, with a superb second place finish. Spencer, super cocky at his current third placing, slide things into cruise control and crossed the line 2 minutes behind Crossman.
However, the complacency of the man could have cost him deer as Walker followed just three seconds behind Spencer, having chased him down for close to half a lap. Just another few meters and Spencer’s podium would have been no more. Following 4 minutes behind the first four came a destroyed Taluim.
Full Results
1.) Orano Andrews 55 mins
2.) Matt Crossman 57 mins
3.) Anthony Spencer 59 mins
4.) Iain Walker 59 mins 3 seconds
5.) Statius Taliam 1 hr 3 mins
6.) Liam Bloc 1 hr 7 mins
7.) Aaron Gardner 1 hr 9 mins 8 secs
8.) Jim Cullimore 1 hr 10 mins
9.) Rusty Bullethole 1 hr 11 mins 14 secs
10.) Mike Masters 1 hr 17 mins
11.) Laurens Bloc 1 day 1 hr 30 mins
John Cullimore who raced solo for the Juniors, finished 2 laps in 58 mins 52 seconds
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