Race report by Toby.

Well the Pemberton Classic has been run and done for another year.  SPR had a great turnout and was definately a force to be reckoned with down under the forrest canopy.  The following post is just from my perspective, and I’ll leave it to the others to add what I’ve missed in the comments below.

I arrived in Pemberton in time for lunch on Saturday afternoon.  The bakery was the choice and I was pretty happy with my pizza slice.  Shortly after I ran into Jason and Chris who had arrived and were heading out to recon the road race course.  The road race course is very undulating, with challenging road surfaces and of course Pump Hill towards the end of the lap to really bust those lungs.

Criterium

We set up camp in the Post Office verandah for the Criterium around 3pm.  The racing started around 5 so we had heaps of time to hang out, register and get in a warm-up.  After 3 or 4 laps around the course in the warm up I knew I was in a bit of trouble – lungs on fire – not good.

Competing in the c-grade crit we had Danny, Jason, Matt, Mino, Jesse, Dave and myself.  The pace was on from the very first lap.  Seriously it was fast.  The hill in the back of the course was a killer and certainly intensified the pain.  Jason and Danny were looking pretty good.  Mino was felt the pinch early and drifted off the back as did Dave and Jesse.  Matt and Jason got in a small group that got a small gap of the front.  I was in a group of four chasing about 40m behind.  We bridged up, but about halfway through the 30 minutes I poppoed.  Too quick for me.  Jason and Danny were up the front of things – but at this point I dont know what happened at the front.  B-grade was on the course at the same time and as I was rolling around trying to stay concious I noticed Jens was on the side of the road taking off his shoes.  I called out and it turned out he had a puncture.  My race was over so I offered my wheel.  After a really quick wheel change (was that 1 lap out…?) Jens rejoined and I started the walk back – not the last time that wheel would feature in the weekend though.

There was some drama in the c-grade crit with two riders jumping in with the b-grade group and stayed in with them for over 3 laps before being pulled out.  Someone else will have to confirm if the were fined are disqualified as there was talk of both.

In the b-grade crit we had Jens and Brother Jules.  They can fill in the details but Jules rode really well and my wheel did Jens proud!

A-grade crit briefly featured Matty U, and Steve Headly.  More details to come.

Lisa was out there in the ladies field and looked to be in the hurt locker but fought on for a solid 7th I think.

Criterium Results

C-grade: Jason 3rd &Danny 6th

B-grade: Julian 4th

Road Race

We put the tent up near the start line and organised spare bottles for the WAGs to hand out during the race.  B-grade was contested by Jens, Alistair, Chris, Mike, Stu and Jules.  I can’t offer much commentary but I can tell you Jules finished a very impressive 4th and the other boys werent far behind.

C-grade started just behind.  We headed off at a solid pace again.  Our club colours being flown by Jason, Danny, Matt, Myself, Daniel and Jesse.  Dave had headed off for the Karri Cup and Mino hadnt pulled up too well from the crit so decided to man the drinks station instead.  Matt was feeling inspired from his recent battles in NZ and decided to try and soften the field up early.  He went off the front a couple of times, once with Jason.  For a brief moment it looked like they might stay away, but the bunch reeled them back in.  Just before we turned back onto Vasse Highway I started feeling good.  I wanted to move up through the pack and have a word with Jason, so I started heading up the left hand side of the road.  I went past 1 or 2 guys, probably taking a bit of a risk doing so.  Unfortunately it didnt pay off.  Riding right near the edge of the road I looked up in time to see a big piece of bitumen missing from the edge.  I hit it with my rear wheel which immediately blew out and ended my race. Lesson learnt.

I caught a lift back with a parent who was following the race.  Nice enough to stop for me considering the SAG wagon didnt even touch his brakes.

Again the boys will fill in the details but I can tell you Jason finished 8th and Danny 9th.  Very solid effort considering the amount of burgulars in the group.

Matty U had a slightly shorter than required road race, but I think Steve finished strongly in the top 10 in a-grade.

Michelle also competed in the Novice event and did well – I especially like the yelling at the marshalls – who were completely useless.

There is heaps more to tell, but I will leave it to the comments section below.

With the spectacular SPR turn out at the Joondalup Classic I am keen for the same enthusiasm to carry forward into the New Year.

With this in mind I would

like to see how many of us are interested

to venture south on a SPR “Road Trip” to the wilds of Pemberton for the annual Pemberton Classic.

This cycle race is a regular event on the March long weekend.  The event program includes: Criterium “Race around the Town” on Saturday afternoon (Feb 28) and the Road Race on the Sunday (March 1).  The Road Race takes place in the beautiful surroundings of Pemberton’s farmland, vineyards and karri trees over a 40km circuit, with varying distances for different grades.

Make the most of the long weekend and explore the beautiful Pemberton area while you are down.

I am happy to coordinate and organise accommodation for anyone interested in going down (families are of course welcome) but as it is a long weekend, accommodation will be scarce if we leave it too late.  Please let me know if you are interested ASAP.

As yet the 2009 information link is not yet up but I will advise as soon as it is.

Lorraine

Don’t forget to get your racing licence for 2009 NOW!!!! You will get a whole year of racing value from it instead of forking out for day licences.