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Goulburn to Camden 25th September 2005
The Famous Goulburn to Camden race was back on the calender for the first time in quite a few years! The Sutherland Shire Cycling Club team consisted of Darren Cash, Pete Spencer, Dan Beresford and myself. Unfortunately Our big hope for a win, Joe Mcdonnell was unable to make the start due to work committments.
The trip down on the saturday night was a good chance to discuss team tactics, with Pete planning to use his massive calves to his advantage, hoping for a bunch sprint, where his unbeatable speed would smash the opposition? Fellow Sutherland rider Ed Knowles also made the trip down with us filling us with his words of wisdom. The organisers surprised us with free dinner when you signed on, they had gone to great lengths to make this event a success, and it was awesome to see the town abuzz for a bike race! The mayors daughter also made an appearance for dinner, and couldn't get her eyes of Pete!
Race morning, and Director Sportifs Poulos and Peters sorted out bikes, made sure we had plenty of food and drink, and at 8:40 we were off! The plan was to get some TV time, as the race helicopter hovered above! We sure did feel important!
The race headed out of Goulburn, then along the freeway for 70km. We had a few quick showers of rain, but generally conditions were ideal, not much wind, and cool but not cold temperature. The race pretty much stayed together on the freeway, with 2 breakaways a safe distance up the road. There were a few long drags along the freeway, but the pace was steady, not casuing too many problems. Once we swung off the freeway and headed into Berrima, everyone was anxious to get near the front, as the race was about to get going. With 130 odd riders, you couldn’t be too far back, and we all tried to stay close to the front. The first KOM loomed, and it was strung out, then all of a sudden, the feed zone appeared, 3km from the top of the KOM!!!! This was where the race was won and lost, as the pace didn’t let up, and riders caught getting food out of there bags were left behind as a goup of about 25 got away. Luckily, Pete made the group, but myself, Cashy and Dan were caught in smaller groups behind. Over the top, The lead group didn’t look far ahead at all, with the next group containing Cashy and about 10 others about 25seconds in front. My self and Dan were in the next group, and chased hard for the next 60km to Picton. Unfortunately, the gap stayed the same.
The race wound its way to the next KOM up Razorback, where D/S Peters handed me a much needed Coke! The course then descended Razorback towards Camden, before turning left, then climbing back up the Old Razorback climb, which is longer and towards the end steeper than the first climb.
The remaining 15km to the finish went quickly as we wound our way into Camden. The whole town had turned into a festival, its amazing a bike race had led to all this! Myself and Dan crossed the line about 15min behind the winner, David Mackenzie. The results don’t seem to go back that far, but we were around 40th, Cashy about 10 further up, and super sprinter Pete won the main bunch kick to finish a great 8th position.
On behalf of the riders, we would all like to thank both John and George for giving up there day to come and help us out, it really was greatly appreciated, and also to the organisers, who showed that you dont have to go to Victoria to have a great bike race! The event was a great success, a lot of people came to cheer us on, and we can only hope this race continues on and there are more like it!
thanks for reading!
Brad Glennan
Tattersall’s Tour of the Murray River 31st Aug - 4th Sep 2005.
Report from Brad Glennan
The Tour of the Murray River was contested from the 31st August to the 4th September.
3 Sutherland riders competed in this 5 day, 10 stage race, Joe Mcdonnell, Troy Glennan and myself.
This was my first "tour" of this type, so my thoughts on things may be a little different to how things went at the front of the field where Troy and Joe were!
Day one started with a wet and windy hot dog style crit at Swan Hill. Basically I tried to stay out of trouble in this one, I noticed Both Troy and Joe having a good go, finishing up the front. A split occured about half way, I was lucky to stay in the front half, but on the last lap I dropped back a liittle, losing about 30 seconds, but happy to have outlasted almost half the field.
The second stage was a 88km road stage from Swan Hill to Managatang? This stage was horrible for me. A bit of inexperience saw me right near the back at the start, and basically it was on from the gun, massive cross/head winds, the race split to bits, and I was in the very last group. Not good. 30 minutres after Troy and Joe both finished, (in the front group of 10), I made it.
Stage 3 was a very fast Crit in Merbien, I think 47km/h average? I finished somewhere in the middle, which was good for my confidence after the day before. Troy broke his frame, but was luckily able to get a spare bike from a team mate.
Stage 4 was another road stage from Merbien to Wentworth. Again, very fast. Troy tried numerous times to get away, every time I looked up, I saw him attacking off the front, but the race leader had half of Victoria working with him, so it was to be impossible for Troy to improve his 5th place on GC. I was actually feeling good towards the end of this stage, and got near the front with about 7km to go, but yeah, a quick feel of that soon had me back in my place in the bunch!
Stage 5 was another round the block crit at Ouyen. This was really really hard. the corners were a lot tighter, meaning the race was single file most of the way. The race was I think 30 laps, I lasted until 10 to go, losing a few more miutes. Troy and Joe both held there positions in the top 10 on GC.
Stage 6 was an out and back road stage of 86 km. A break went from the gun, meaning the VIS team controlled things, and the break came back together with only about 2km to go. This day was a bit easier on the legs, which I needed!
Stage 7 was at Robinvale, in the rain. It was laps of about a 4km circuit. Again, a break went, and pace was controlled, but still having to jump out of the tight corners wore you down. Unfortunately Joe broke a pedal on the last lap, losing a little bit of time, but just staying in the top 10.
Stage 8, was still raining, pouring actually, a 40 lap crit. After drying all my clothes, they were soaking wet again just from warming up. I lasted again until about 10 to go, I was hurting today, my brake pads had just about gone, I was filthy, but glad to only lose a little bit of time. A lot of riders cracked today!
Stage 9, another kermesse, this time at Cardross. The sun was back out, the wind was back, but not too bad. The pace again, was high, but controlled, Joe took the first sprint, gaining a few valuable seconds.
The final stage 10, was a fun 2.5km Kermesse, but I rolled up to the start line, not really wanting to be there! It was 30 laps, and I was counting down from 28 to go! Luckily, back in the bunch, a lot of other riders were also tired, so there was a lot less fighting for wheels than there had been earlier in the race, and I again finished in the bunch to finish the tour in 65th position, 43 minutes down. It was a huge relief to finish, but a great experience, something I would love to do again, but hopefuly come back stronger, and be more use to both Troy and Joe!!
Thanks for reading!!
Brad Glennan
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