This weekends race looks to be hotly contested with riders coming from Timaru, Christchurch, Invercargil and Dunedin. This may be due to the $1000 prize money and a prestigious trophy up for grabs. The Ralston Memorial also heralds the return of the Batwing Fairweather to racing after being overtaken by Shane Melrose in the points table. However, the big names don't stop there! Shane Archibald, Dan Barry, Jerard Stock, Geoff Keogh, Ashley Whitehead, Alex Daniels and Jeff Notman. Its shaping up to be an exciting race over a rolling parcours with a 2km climb to a hill top finish.
Will Melrose and Batwing use their turn of speed to hurt the bunch on the flat or will the climbers such as Whitehead, Daniels and Notman come to the fore? Other danger men in the form of break and second break include Chris Henderson and Steve Havard. With scratch performing strongly last weekend there has been speculation that they may be handicapped out of the race.
The legend that is Ashley Whitehead is yet confirm his appearance. However, he has been spotted by our informants doing multiple laps of Three Mile Hill in anticipation of this weekends hit out. As for his excuse of "I haven't been training lately" we say: what a crook of shit!
David Ayre and Hurricane Stockwell will surely hurt their chances of victory by riding the approximate 100km distance to the race start tomorrow. Stockwell has been telling anyone who will listen "I need more miles". But this close to the race will it help the Hurricane destroy the field, I think not. Ayre is just trying to stoke his ego and prove that he can do it all.
As yet there has been no word as to whether the infamous Anonymous will be riding. Many riders are anticipating a heated battle with this particularly tough opponent! Will he let his legs do the talking or will the win escape his grasp? Only time will tell if he is up to the task.
Now for the greatly anticipated TAB Odds:
Shane Melrose: $0.90 - after last weeks effort the TAB need to recuperate their loss
Shane Archibald: $1.05 - can anyone beat this man?
Ashley Whitehead: $1.40 - your secret training is going to pay off
Geoff Keogh: $1.80 - Oyago's most consistent rider year in year out
Hurricane Stockwell: $2.05 - look out boys here comes the Hurricane
Batwing Fairweather: $3.50 - no sitting on for the sprint today Jimmy
David Ayre: $ 4.70 - will your ego hold out... probably not
Bank Guy: $12.00 - will be in the hunt after being rolled last weekend be Melrose
Joel Davies: $56.90 - your looking at some good pack filler, but not much else
Friday, July 25, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Quote Of The Day
"Think of it boys, one week from now we'll be drunk..." -(Kiwi Guy) aka Julian Dean at the end of Stage 15 of the Tour de France http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6610,s-1-523-17635-1,00.html
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Midway 100km Premier Road Race
Saturday 15th November 2008 - $3000 Cash Prize Pool
· Cat 1 First Place $500
· Cat 2 First Place $300
· Cat 3 First Place $200
All categories paying to 6th place
$25 entry fee
Entries to Mike Lormans by 12th November mikeandadele@xtra.co.nz
Race course: Start Green Island- Taieri Mouth - Waihola- Berwick- Woodside- Outram- Tirohonga Road- Tip Corner- Finish Factory Road Mosgiel
Report: Opposite Tip Entrance, Brighton Road Green Island 11.30 am sharp
Disgruntled Membership, Inappropriate Use of Karma?
It has come to our attention that the clearly tounge in cheek nature of this website is lost on some members of the cycling community. It has been suggested that if you object to the views on the website don't visit it. However this logic may have been lost on some people.
Perhaps the disgruntled members of Cycling Otago can use their legs to do the talking and silence the critics?
Perhaps the disgruntled members of Cycling Otago can use their legs to do the talking and silence the critics?
Monday, July 21, 2008
Greenall Memorial -Melrose Strikes Back
The Greenall Memorial was contested by a small but hardy few who battled it out on wind and rain swept roads on saturday. The Greenall Memorial celebrates the short but prosperous life of Brian Greenall (1956 - 1975). The main challenge of the day was two asscents of the Berrick hill but difficult conditions and the handicap nature of the race insured that the pace was on from the gun.
First to start was the limit bunch which was made up of Tony Gamble, Graeme Gliddon, Carl Larson, Jan Brosnahan and Colin Tye. A whopping 32 minutes later the scratch bunch wqas released (which consisted of Ashley Whitehead, David Ayre, Paul Whitley and Shane Melrose). Right from the start Melrose and Whitley tapped out a blistering pace enabled Scratch to catch break before break had even completed half a lap of the Berrick Circuit. A brisk pace and a strong crosswind left the break (and at times scratch) riders hanging onto the back of the bunch. As the bunch rounded the top corner, karma (in the form of Steve Harvard) took care of all the riders who had been sitting on when Harvard crashed in front of them.
Scratch continued to reel in and spit out riders as they proceeded round the course untill only limit lay between them and line honours. With 20km to go the time gap was 9 minutes and scratches case seemed hopeless but a redoubled effort saw the gap begin to close along with all but Melrose, Whitehead and Ayre falling off the pace. Melrose tried several ill fated attacks through the outram ups and downs but after 70km of hard racing was in no condition to stay away.
With 5km to go, scratch was still 2:10 behind but could now see the limit riders battling the headwind up the road. As scratch turned into final straight limit still seemed just out of reach but a suicidle leadout from Ayre saw the gap closed with 100m to go leaving the sprinters to battle for line honours. Melrose quickly discovered he was the only sprinter left and took the win followed by Whitehead and Ayre in a distant second and third place.
In other news the TAB is considering going into receivership after "rediculous odds" saw all betters backing Melrose and the TAB posting a huge loss. More infomation on how much share and debenture holders can expect to recover will be released in the next few months. When asked if the TAB's predicermint was a symptom of the global credit crunch which has already seen 23 major credit companies go into receivership, a TAB spokesperson said "of course not, it was merely a case of the TAB offering rediculous odds. Only an idiot would have bet against Melrose when the odds were 9 to 1!"
First to start was the limit bunch which was made up of Tony Gamble, Graeme Gliddon, Carl Larson, Jan Brosnahan and Colin Tye. A whopping 32 minutes later the scratch bunch wqas released (which consisted of Ashley Whitehead, David Ayre, Paul Whitley and Shane Melrose). Right from the start Melrose and Whitley tapped out a blistering pace enabled Scratch to catch break before break had even completed half a lap of the Berrick Circuit. A brisk pace and a strong crosswind left the break (and at times scratch) riders hanging onto the back of the bunch. As the bunch rounded the top corner, karma (in the form of Steve Harvard) took care of all the riders who had been sitting on when Harvard crashed in front of them.
Scratch continued to reel in and spit out riders as they proceeded round the course untill only limit lay between them and line honours. With 20km to go the time gap was 9 minutes and scratches case seemed hopeless but a redoubled effort saw the gap begin to close along with all but Melrose, Whitehead and Ayre falling off the pace. Melrose tried several ill fated attacks through the outram ups and downs but after 70km of hard racing was in no condition to stay away.
With 5km to go, scratch was still 2:10 behind but could now see the limit riders battling the headwind up the road. As scratch turned into final straight limit still seemed just out of reach but a suicidle leadout from Ayre saw the gap closed with 100m to go leaving the sprinters to battle for line honours. Melrose quickly discovered he was the only sprinter left and took the win followed by Whitehead and Ayre in a distant second and third place.
In other news the TAB is considering going into receivership after "rediculous odds" saw all betters backing Melrose and the TAB posting a huge loss. More infomation on how much share and debenture holders can expect to recover will be released in the next few months. When asked if the TAB's predicermint was a symptom of the global credit crunch which has already seen 23 major credit companies go into receivership, a TAB spokesperson said "of course not, it was merely a case of the TAB offering rediculous odds. Only an idiot would have bet against Melrose when the odds were 9 to 1!"
The Lone Scratcher
Rumors are amidst the the Local cycling community that Shane Melrose will be the Lone Scratch Rider at this weekends Ralston Memorial Handicap Race,with Kauri Legs Melrose demoralising the local cyclists yet again at the past weekends handicap race out on the Taieri and storming into the points lead of the Overall points Champion.
Recent performances that can only be described as "individual" this recent turn of form has seemingly started after a recent trip to "the doctor" after suspected broken ribs forcing the early retirement of a downhill MTB career.
Steve Havard was heard to say after a recent "teams time trial " in Invercargill that "Kauri Legs should have just ridden by himself ."
Critics have suggested that only the same people are being mentioned on this website, however all forms of media only focus on the winners, something that is becoming all too apparent in our Local Newspaper with the report from the weekend being ommited.
Embarrasing is how Shane Melrose is describing all the positive press he has recieved lately, with his work mates now questioning him how much he is paying the newspaper reporter, "i just wish everyone else would put the training and dedication into this sport that I do" says a shy Melrose.
Of his co markers at the weekend David Air was the only one to match his speed and strength, Ash did well to hang on after a full 5 days training and the leg wax from hell.
I am looking forward to the return of a resting Geoff Keogh says Kauri who I heard has actually been seen out tearing up the MTB trails and himself (ed).
With the weekends race just days away there is still a chance for competitors to actually get up off the couch and do some training.....you know who you are......Joel, Johnny.
Or does it seem this Local Champion is unstoppable, I think not... recent performances from Jeff Notman have been extremely promising and with a hill to finish this weekend...look out.
Brendan Hastie a new name to grace these pages but spotted on his new bike just today putting in the milage.
So the scene is set, the handicapper is ready, and good luck on your own Shane, Scratch will be lonely.... but think of it as a privilage.
Recent performances that can only be described as "individual" this recent turn of form has seemingly started after a recent trip to "the doctor" after suspected broken ribs forcing the early retirement of a downhill MTB career.
Steve Havard was heard to say after a recent "teams time trial " in Invercargill that "Kauri Legs should have just ridden by himself ."
Critics have suggested that only the same people are being mentioned on this website, however all forms of media only focus on the winners, something that is becoming all too apparent in our Local Newspaper with the report from the weekend being ommited.
Embarrasing is how Shane Melrose is describing all the positive press he has recieved lately, with his work mates now questioning him how much he is paying the newspaper reporter, "i just wish everyone else would put the training and dedication into this sport that I do" says a shy Melrose.
Of his co markers at the weekend David Air was the only one to match his speed and strength, Ash did well to hang on after a full 5 days training and the leg wax from hell.
I am looking forward to the return of a resting Geoff Keogh says Kauri who I heard has actually been seen out tearing up the MTB trails and himself (ed).
With the weekends race just days away there is still a chance for competitors to actually get up off the couch and do some training.....you know who you are......Joel, Johnny.
Or does it seem this Local Champion is unstoppable, I think not... recent performances from Jeff Notman have been extremely promising and with a hill to finish this weekend...look out.
Brendan Hastie a new name to grace these pages but spotted on his new bike just today putting in the milage.
So the scene is set, the handicapper is ready, and good luck on your own Shane, Scratch will be lonely.... but think of it as a privilage.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
The Royal
Only 11 riders lined up for the A grade 70km race on Sunday with many riders choosing the soft B grade option. Shane Archibold gave the A grade field the Tony Veitch treatment winning the sprint prime, Hill climb and overall race. Jeff “Schleck” Notman showed he was the Otago rider on the rise cresting the climb second and finishing third overall.
The pace was fast from the start with many attacks along SH1. Joel Davies was the first to pop after forgetting to eat his sizzler sausages within the first 20km.
Johnny Stockwell made a smart move at Waihola attacking before the corner to try and take the sprint prime before the climb, Shane “Brochard” Archibold wasn’t standing for it though, he chased Stockwell and took the Sprint before ascending the Col de Waihola category one climb to take the KOM prime. Jeff “Schleck” Notman was second over the hill with David “Ricco” Ayre chasing in third. These three came together at the bottom and lapped it out to the finish. Jeff Notman lead out the sprint from 1000m out swinging off with 500m to go leaving David Ayre and Shane Archibald to go head to head for the win. Archibald took the win with Ayre in a disappointing and demoralizing second.
Shane Melrose finished an average 4th placing, Pete Oakden came in solo for 5th. There was controversy in the judging of 6th place when three riders tried to finish tied for 6th place, these riders were quickly disqualified by the fun police and whipped into submission.
Steve Harvard robber the B grade over A/B grader Chris Harvey who should haven known better.
TAB Odds for next weeks Greenall race:
Fastest time-
Whitley $1.85
Henderson $2.20
Melrose $9.00
Evans $500.00
Nonu $1.85 (TAB odds on Friday nite)
Arye $1.00
Gough $9.00 (if running included $0.30)
The pace was fast from the start with many attacks along SH1. Joel Davies was the first to pop after forgetting to eat his sizzler sausages within the first 20km.
Johnny Stockwell made a smart move at Waihola attacking before the corner to try and take the sprint prime before the climb, Shane “Brochard” Archibold wasn’t standing for it though, he chased Stockwell and took the Sprint before ascending the Col de Waihola category one climb to take the KOM prime. Jeff “Schleck” Notman was second over the hill with David “Ricco” Ayre chasing in third. These three came together at the bottom and lapped it out to the finish. Jeff Notman lead out the sprint from 1000m out swinging off with 500m to go leaving David Ayre and Shane Archibald to go head to head for the win. Archibald took the win with Ayre in a disappointing and demoralizing second.
Shane Melrose finished an average 4th placing, Pete Oakden came in solo for 5th. There was controversy in the judging of 6th place when three riders tried to finish tied for 6th place, these riders were quickly disqualified by the fun police and whipped into submission.
Steve Harvard robber the B grade over A/B grader Chris Harvey who should haven known better.
TAB Odds for next weeks Greenall race:
Fastest time-
Whitley $1.85
Henderson $2.20
Melrose $9.00
Evans $500.00
Nonu $1.85 (TAB odds on Friday nite)
Arye $1.00
Gough $9.00 (if running included $0.30)
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