What a morning!
First I must apologies to you all for the significant shortage of pictures from today’s race but my equipment failed me 20 minutes into the day. What can I say…
Nevertheless, the morning was brightened up by my wife’s win in the women’s event. Well done Bec! This is a very positive result to take away to the US of A with you for the next 5 weeks.
The race was a story of 2 women, Bec Domange (Carnegie Caulfield Cycling Club) and Miranda Laidlaw (Northcote Cycling Club) chased by some experienced but undecided riders. Bec Domange (CCCC) launched her attack within the first lap in the back end of the Calder Park Raceway. Only Laidlaw (NCC) responded in the second lap briefly joined by club mate Laine Hammond (NCC) who couldn’t unfortunately sustained her effort. Once the duo had formed into a breakaway they worked really well and very hard to increase their advance every lap. Behind them it was a game of cat and mouse between, Tess Downing (CCCC), Shannon MCCurley (Latrobe City Cycling Club) and Kathy Watt (Blackburn Cycling Club). They often attacked each other in an effort to bridge the gap with the two leaders but were systematically shut down in their individual quests to do so.
If the chasers had decided to play the political game of “who is going to do something” both Bec (CCCC) and Miranda (NCC) united well to develop a gap of just under 2 minutes towards the end. Nothing disturbed the pair in their victorious affair, apart from Bec Domange (CCCC) who decided to display some BMX skills by grinding the side wall of the circuit trying to avoid the head wind blowing into the finishing straight. She escaped with scratches and cuts but rejoined Miranda Laidlaw swiftly.
Domange (CCCC) and Laidlaw (NCC) continued their effort to the end nearly lapping the remaining 3 riders and produced a sprint finish of quality. Bec Domange took first place and proved too strong for the young Miranda Laidlaw second on the day. The 3rd place was taken by Shannon MCCurley.
Cheers,
Arnaud
The pictures (until my camera froze) of the race can be found on the website:
http://www.arnauddomange.com.au/Calder%20Park%20Women’s%20May%2030%202009.html