Jens Mouris shows the locals some Dutch courage
Racing in Holland is typified by the strong unrelenting winds which rips across the dykes and the northerly wind that roared across Heffron Park on Tuesday meant that the Dutch pro rider Jen Mouris felt right at home. On the second last lap the DFL-Cyclingnews team member was able to dish out a bit of local know how (Dutch style) to score an impressive victory over Easts strongman David Early. Of course Mouris's familiarity with riding on windy Dutch roads was not the only reason for his victory, his talent is evident from his recent palmares including World Cup track victories in the pursuit and Madison and the 2006 European Omnium Championship.
A gusting northerly wind blew across Sydney all Tuesday and had not let up one knot by the time the race started. A large quality field presented themselves at the start in each grade. However the strong wind across the back of the straight meant it was a race (or should I say lap) of two halves. It was commonly reported that riders in B and C grade turned into the back straight, slowed down and coyly looked around to see who would roll through and take a turn ("Part 1"). However once the race hit the front the straight, the speed picked up as riders used the tailwind to their advantage ("Part 2"). As the bunch hit the back straight, it was Part 1 all over again followed by Part 2. Repeat Parts 1 and 2 15 times and you get the idea.
While B and C grade picked up more passengers than the 5:14 pm all stops to Cowan, A Grade set about reeling in the catch. There were no heroics from C grade this week and with four laps to go A grade had picked up B grade and then gobbled up C grade the following lap.
Riders were been shelled left right and centre. The finish of the race could have been mistaken for a Roosters home game given the amount of riders wearing red, white and blue sitting on the side of track. Mouris and Early seized their moment as they pushed into the wind on the second last lap and moved off the front. The two riders swapped turns for the next lap opening up a race winning gap over the combined A and B grade bunch. Mouris showed his pursuiting class driving down the front straight with Early in tow. Early had nothing left to come around the current European Madison champion and Mouris took the win ahead of Early. Northern Sydney speedster Nash Kent came through for third place while Luis Trueba and Dan Healey picked up the minors.
Craig Dempsey showed that some solid training is starting to pay off as he picked up the B Grade sprint over last weeks winner Kevin Black and perennial bridesmaid John Sunde. Wayne Finucane was the only C grader who could latch on to A grade when they came by and while he was eventually dropped, he had established enough of gap to take a comfortable win over the remainder of C grade. Tim Rice and David "Cobby" Cobcroft brought the C grade bunch home to fill up the remainder of the podium.
Results
1. Jens Mouris DFL-Cyclingnews
2. Dave Early ESCC
3. Nash Kent North Sydney
4. Luis Trueba Macarthur
5. Dan Healey
1st B Grade Craig Dempasey (ESCC)
1st C Grade Wayne Finucane (ESCC)
For information on Tuesday night racing at Heffron Bike Track, Maroubra, visit the Heffron Summer Series page.
Campagnolo support ESCC and Tuesday night racing at Heffron Bike Track with the provision of spare wheels to be used in the event of a puncture during the race. To use this service you must leave your punctured wheel at the tent. It may be picked up when the borrowed wheel is returned.
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Archived Reports
B Grade makes the turn out of the home straight.
Jose Rodrigues and Nash Kent were active all day in A Grade.
A Grade combines with a fractured B Grade as Jens Mouris and Scott Simpson drive through the corner.
Riders chase Jens Mouris and David Early who had ridden off the front.
