Circuit of Lake Quamichan (Maple Bay) Sunday May 2nd 2010

There is an English pub name which captures the flavour of Australian pursuit cycle road races – ‘The Hare and Hounds’. The thrill of the chase. Often there is more uncertainty, excitement, and drama in Australian pursuit than in regular road racing. Many races within the race. How many of the faster chasing groups will catch me? Will I be caught by just a few from the faster groups or by most of a group? Will voracious chasers get me in their sights with only 5 k to go? How long can I hold out or hold on?

In the Circuit of Lake Quamichan new sexagenarian Derek Tripp again set a lung bursting pace from the start, riding away from Ray Morrison and David Mercer, leaving them gasping, legs buckling, on the first lap main climb after about 10k. However, for the next 2 laps Morrison and Mercer had the incentive of seeing Derek in the distance until he vanished over the horizon like dreams of youthful vigour.

The fast men of the 30s, 40s, and 50s groups were holding together and pushing well but none could absorb the leaders of the group in front. Yet the lead five of the 50s were within 19 seconds of scooping up all but Derek Tripp at the finish. Also, powerful 40s duo Bob Cameron and Steve Bachop were only 30 seconds behind the 50s leaders. Another 5k and the race would have had quite a different ending.

The most exciting sub race was in the 50s. Martin Willock got a gap a few times in the closing kilometers before awing his fellows with an audacious jump on the last corner with 500 m still to go. As at Langley 50s riders had praise for Ray Wagner’s work in leading the chase – another fittingly Wagnerian performance.

Good to see track stalwarts Malcolm Faulkner and James Holtz adding colour to the road race taking on uncongenial terrain. Watch out when Jim breaks down and buys a carbon bike to replace his steel one to celebrate moving up to the 60s. Thanks to Dave Steen on the first corner for shouting out clear time checks.

Again gracious Duane Martindale, photo maestro, added pep to the 50s group before dropping out nonchalantly to assist better half Helen with the finish. The finish was also expertly handled by Lynda Bowden and Glenda Harling along with Nanaimo uber organizer and commissaire Peter McCaffery.

The gleaming, sculpted legal legs of Bob Cameron were on display to complement the prime exhibit of scenic Lake Quamichan in post-race Moose Rd. Lodge. 30s Shane Savage, Lois Watson, and Dan Larche looked like a trio of Titans yet could pull back only 1’ 22” on the scorching 40s twosome. Lone 70s lean but jovial John Smith fittingly teamed up with sole woman, charming Alix Reid who made a welcome return to racing only last year. Former hockey player John Guthrie 52 in only his second season of cycle racing has now moved up to elite class after excellent back to back 6th places.

Best performance went to Derek Tripp who riding in effect entirely alone gave up only 3’ 20’’ to a numerous and formidable 50s chasing group.

Photo pick: (Duane’s site) Page 4 50s sprint. Page 6 30s sprint.

Velociraptors Scratch Points.

1. Louis Watson 1 40’ 32’’ (actual time) 10 points
2. Shane Savage 1 40’ 32” 9 points
3.Dan Larche same time 8 points 4. Bob Cameron 1 41’ 54” 7
5. Steve Bachop same time 6
6. Jason Eagles 1 44’ 50” 5
7. Martin Willock 1 45’ 24” 4
8. Steve Crowley same time 3
9. John Guthrie same time 2
10. Mike Sevcov same time 1 point.

Velociraptors Age Standard Points
See Group Ride Age Standards blog for details.
Actual Time Age Standard Points
1. David Mercer 67 1-50-09 + 8-35 10
2. Mike Sevcov 57 1-45-24 + 8-12 9
3. Bill Yearwood 58 1-45-54 + 8-00 8
4. Martin Willock 56 1-45-24 + 7-54 7
5. Derek Tripp 60 1-48-44 + 7-26 6
6. Bob Cameron 45 1-41-54 + 7-06 5
7. Steve Bachop 45 1-41-54 + 7-06 4
8. John Guthrie 52 1-45-54 + 6-42 3
8. Michael Stoehr 55 1-46-18 + 6-42 3
10. Ray Morrison 61 1-50-05 + 6-27 1
11. Ray Wagner 51 1-45-24 + 6-24
12. Steve Crowley 50 1-45-24 + 6-06
13. Dan Larche 38 1-40-32 + 6-04
14. Steve Munro 50 1-45-41 + 5-49
15. Shane Savage 35 1-40-32 + 5-28
16. Louis Watson 33 1-40-32 + 5-10

Note: first 16 Australian Pursuit spread 3-48.
First 16 Velociraptors Age Standard spread 3-25

Velociraptors Regular/Non-Elite Points.

1. Lionel Gaudet 10 points
2. Ron Shick 9
3. James Holtz 8
4. Barton Bourassa 7
5. John Smith 6
6. Harry Balke 5 points
7. Ian Birch 4
8. Malcom Faulkner 3
9. Ian Harper 2
10. Wayne Shtybel 1

Womens Velociraptors Points

Alix Reid gets maximum 10 points in all three Velociraptors Points Competitions.

Please let me know of errors in times, age, etc. and if you think you are allocated to wrong Elite/Regular category. As a rough guide I am taking a 50 year old who does a 10 mile tt at over 40 kph to be Elite.