In the pre-road race warm-up, Saturday morning, liked talking with tall Louis Watson (30s) Nanaimo, former UK Henley rower, and especially giving him a lead-out for a practice sprint. Louis discovered that 500 metres was too early to go. I like to think this preview aided his win in the A race. Pleasant discussion Sunday afternoon with Trevor Perkins (3rd A road race, 3rd A omnium) former pro downhill racer, Fort McMurray worker, in delightful Lewis riverside park Courtney – family swimming. Trevor confirmed Louis was the strong man in the As, often at the front.
As with the As a lead group of 12 or so stayed together to the end in the B road race. David Mercer got a gap of about 150 metres on the hill on the 3rd and 4th laps but was absorbed again by the highway. Bill Captain Helijet Yearwood was doing powerful surges at the front on the downhill, and instructing younger riders on the etiquette of also doing a turn. In the sprint Stuart Lynne (55) Vancouver, prominent at the front throughout, led out at about 600m with Mercer on his wheel. Mighty Mike Sevcov (56) Duncan roared by, then Bill, and Bill just got it as Mike faded in the last 40 metres.
The 60s were unlucky with Ray Morrison (Kelowna) puncturing twice, gentleman coureur Charles Sinclair and Swiss Canadian Chris Hahlen (Vancouver) former Ottawa Parliament chef and dairy farmer also flatting.
Magnanimous Duane Martindale (see separate blog) dropped out of the Bs with 1 lap to go even though very comfortable in the lead group. This was to take photos and help with the placings.
An energizing aspect of the Bs road race was the mix of riders – fast juniors, women, 55-59s, together with stately 60s. A bonus of cycle racing is getting to indulge a liking for athletic pulchritude arrayed in brightly coloured, figure-enhancing clothing. Redolent of archetypes of Homeric adventures and Olympian festivals. Remember Keats’ ‘Ode on a Grecian Urn’. Good to see Icelandic Canadian Lisa Ingimunson returning to Masters after Maple Bay. Amazonian triathlete beauty Audrey Erlandson scorched the tt in 25’ 39’’ after graciously stopping in the B road race to give Ray Morrison a spare inner tube. Tall, lissome Amanda Wakeling 15 had one of the most stylish finishes in the mountain climb – hands on drops, photos # 81-3.
In the Sunday morning time trial David Mercer received a humbling shock when at 12 k he thought he heard a car approaching. It turned out to be Ray Wagner catching him for 2 minutes! Another appropriately operatic display by Ray to add to the saga. Super aero Don Gilmore (42) Shawnigan Lake hadn’t realized the tt start was moved up but fortunately was allowed to ride late. Don bolted round the 16 k loop in a breath taking 21’ 12’’ for course record (to add to his Nanaimo River Rd., and Old Lake Cowichan Rd. records). It would add interest and incentive to assemble overall and age group records for all Masters courses, circuits, and hill climbs.
There is something mythical, mystical, epic about bicycle mountain climbs. The symbolic ascent to Olympus; Mt.Everest. Riders ahead of you spread all over the mountain labouring as frozen in slow motion. Hugh Trenchard (Victoria, 40-44) went from the gun as though in a track pursuit. Ray Wagner and others quickly found this pace was suicidal for them. Many found it difficult to gauge their efforts, not saving something for the last 3 rises. Mike Sevcov looked to be overgeared. Some wished for a gear between 39 ´27 and 39 ´24.
Winner of the mountain climb and 2nd A omnium Peter Stevenson (Duncan, 40-4) again demonstrated his seemingly easy hill devouring form. Perhaps the best overall performance was by 15 year old Jordan Duncan (son of gourmet spinach lady Joanna) – 4th B road race, 24’32’’ tt, and 9th hill climb in 35’ 50”. Nevertheless Bill Yearwood’s (Vancouver, 57) victory in the B omnium was well-earned and deserved. In the mountain climb Bill alongside David Mercer helped both recover early lost ground. Mercer moved ahead on the later ascents with Bill pounding back on the brief descents (see Clafleur photo # 0826).
Gutsy rides from Thomas Andrew age 13 (3rd C road race), Jake van der Vliet also 13, and Kia van der Vliet 11 on very jazzy yellow bike - more budding Flying Dutchpersons! The racing contribution of hippy endurance man Ernie Klassen Black Creek was appreciated.
The hardest worker of the weekend was perhaps Linda Sinclair (ex- Western Washington University Bellingham teacher) who took on both registration and results coordinating for 3 races each embodying 3 separate categories. The lovely Susanna partner of Casey Ryder (Victoria, 40-4) versatile racer and jazz guitar maestro added charm to the medal ceremonies.
Best viewing spots : Road race and tt – top of Piercy Rd. climb before decline to highway. Mtn. Climb – top of penultimate rise looking down on hairpin bend; take binoculars.
Photo Pick.
B sprint. From East side: #18 –36, especially # 22 – 29. Excellent study of Bill Yearwood hurtling himself across the line. From West side: #38 –41.
A sprint. From W. side: #58 –73. Note Louis Watson head and shoulders down in beginning. Fine aggressive aero form from 4th place Jeff Natell. From E. side: #74 –81. Note #77 good low back, elbows out, and line lunge by 3rd place Trevor Perkins.
Hill climb finish. #7 winner Peter Stevenson on drops out of saddle for finishing burst. Best power finish – Bill Yearwood on drops out of saddle # 49 – 51.
Best finishing smile – Mike Sevcov # 46.
Clafleur
B sprint. # 0751. Also other beautiful dramatic shots during mountain climb.
No comments:
Post a Comment