In attendance at the recent Jarrod Coveney Memorial Handicap was Coveney's family, who came to see 24 riders line up to contest what is fast becoming the most popular race in the Goulburn Cycle Club's summer program.
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Held for the second year on Middle Arm Road, riders of similar ability were grouped together with the slower riders setting off first and the fastest riders having to chase down the field.
Coolish conditions and a strong cross wind would make the race challenging for all the riders.
Veteran Chris Bushell and junior rider Elsie Apps fresh from a successful track carnival and criterium race in Wollongong on the weekend set out off limit.
Elsie soon powered ahead opening up a commanding lead. James Quade and Zane Jackson in the second group combined together well to bridge the gap to the front runners.
Last rider away was Cameron Roberts riding solo and needing to make up over 14 minutes on the leaders. Cameron soon linked up with the block group and organised the chase.
Elsie Apps made it to the turnaround with a solid lead ahead of Zane Jackson and James Quade. The chasing groups were starting to combine with Mark Howard, Ayla Rudgley and Wayne Bensley catching Michal Hall, Mark Stutchbury, Shannon Apps and Chris Berry shortly after the turn and steadily hauled in the earlier riders.
When Cameron Roberts, Mark Gibson, Alex Wallace and Andrew Stewart managed to tag on at around the three quarter mark the pace picked up another notch as they set about narrowing the gap to the race leaders.
The large chasing group may have been racing in excess of 50km/hr but were unable to catch Elsie Apps, James Quade or Zane Jackson. Elsie took out a comfortable win, almost two minutes ahead of James and Zane.
Cameron Roberts drove the chasing group and while opening up a gap on the group in sight of the finish line was unable to bridge the gap to the leaders. Cameron had to be content with taking out the fastest time completing the course in 28 minutes at 42km/hr. Fastest female rider was Ayla Rudgley who averaged 38km/hr.
Next Wednesday, December 9, racing is at Wakefield Park. Sign on begins from 5.45pm and racing starts at 6.15pm. New riders are welcome and Wakefield Park is an excellent venue for spectators to get close to the action.
Jarrod Coverney Memorial Handicap
- Elsie Apps (off limit) 39:36 30.3km/hr
- James Quade (off 5:15) 42:18 32.4km/hr
- Zane Jackson (off 5:15) 42.23 32.3km/hr
Fastest Time - Cameron Roberts (off 14:40) 28:17 42.4km/hr
Fastest Female - Ayla Rudgley (off 12:00) 38.5km/hr
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