Final Day wrap up all photo's
www.actionsnaps.com.auThe Final day of 2010/11 Sydney Christmas Carnival returned to where it began 6 days ago, at the hub of Cycling NSW the Dunc Gray Velodrome. The early start of 2pm was designed to allow interstate riders a chance to pack the car and start the journey home with some remaining daylight. The program on the final day changed slightly as we introduced the sprint derby in round 3 and an endurance scratch race for round 4. The riders who had competed in this series have all found the racing challenging from day 1 however on day 5, fatigue had set in on a few weary soles. It was interesting to note the riders who continually improved as the carnival has progressed and I am sure that all who competed have gained valuable experience in all areas of cycling development.
The racing was exciting form the first warm-up scratch race to the final Madison although the majority of the interest focused on the respective series leaders in each grade. It was B grade and C grade that drew most attention as the leaders in both categories were separated by just one point coming into the final race of the series.
B Grade, Newcastle’s Ryan Pawl (50pts) leading Lidcombe’s Callum Docker (49pts):
Day 1 was jointly lead by Chris Murphy (CCCC) and Travis Smedley (BSCC) on Day 2 Chris Murphy retained the lead but this time outright. By day 3 we had a new leader in Callum Docker with Shaun Colley (DHBC) sitting 1 point behind. It was at the end of day 4 that Callum secured a solid lead and looked to have the remainder of the field under control. After a gallant fight back by Ryan Pawl in the early rounds of the final day the scene was set for a thrilling battle. As expected the two riders shadowed each other through-out the scratch race. A flurry of attacks towards the conclusion of the race had the field strung out with gaps appearing. Particularly aggressive was TWE rider Brett Fenton who was within striking distance of securing fourth place in the series. On the final lap both riders were still close to each other and was coming down to who was willing to hut the most. Ryan Pawl launched into his final sprint and Docker was unable to follow. Ryan continued on to pass all in front to take an emphatic victory.
C Grade, Dulwich Hill’s Ondrej Slezak (50pts) leading Central Coast’s Kodie Howard (49pts):
The young Central Coast rider had leaded the C Grade series from Day 1 and came into the final day with a six point buffer over Ondrej. The former Czech resident has only recently discovered the enjoyment of track racing after several years of endurance mountain biking. It was clear that Ondrej was still on a massive learning curve as he had been improving with each carnival and by this last day he was the dominant rider in the field. The final race started with the two serries leaders once again marking each other. Ondrej was riding his usual aggressive race with numerous attacks and continuously staying at the pointy end of the bunch. Kodie had elected to follow Ondrej where ever he went and the consistent attacking and driving at the front fatigued the younger rider considerably more than his endurance based competitor. In the final sprint home Ondrej secured second whilst Kodie struggled to achieve fourth. The crowd and watching riders all let out a huge cheer as he was declared the Series Champion mostly due to Ondrej being one of the series favourite sponsors and importer of Bernard Beer. They cheered joyously knowing that a happy sponsor now, may secure further sponsorship for years to come.
The Final race of the night and the conclusion of the whole series was fittingly won by the outright dominant rider for the entire 5 days. J-L Rathbone partnered Jack Edwards to win the 30 lap madison. It would be amiss of me not to mention under 17 women’s rider Laura Triggs who followed in the footsteps of Women’s Series winner Josie Talbot in bumping shoulders with the men’s field. Joining with Bathurst rider Harrison Jones the pairing rode well to finish in 6th place.
This year’s event concluded with an enjoyable and jovial presentation in the foyer of the DGV. It was great to unwind in such a friendly atmosphere as the award winners all shared stories of their intriguing battles over the last 5 days of racing. Everyone went home with a smile and a Bernard Beer to boot (except for U18’s). A massive thank you is extended to all the clubs who were involved in this event, all those who assisted in any way, the first aid team and of course my commissares who turned up every day .I hope to be able to increase the sponsorship of this series to include greater cash awards for the victors, but would like to thank the sponsors for 2010/11 and invite them to rejoin us again after Christmas 2011.
Thank You to: TWE Wheels, Aussie Butt Cream, Bernard Beer, Cycle Nation Web Site, Happy Wheels Mechanics, Peter Bundy Cycles, Action Snap Photography, Fulcher’s Bike Hub, YBN Chains, Bankstown Sport Club, Hooper Lane Turbo Studio’s and of course Cycling NSW the hub of this state’s cycling activities.
