08.05.23 Whitsun stage races

Rather than write a report for each stage you get a condensed version covering all 4 stages....I heard that cheer! The first stage from St Catherines up the hill towards St Martins is a difficult one with a flat start, small dip down to the lifeboat station and then it’s the climb which tends to catch people out as its longer and steeper than you think, particularly at the end...great if you enjoy pain. Robin Ovenden clearly did, winning in a very impressive time followed by 3 other riders just 6 seconds behind. Its a good test to start the weekend with lots more fun to come...spare a thought for poor Stephen Haley who took the Rozel Hill instead and found no one at the top to take his time! Its a good lesson to learn, always check the course. Thanks to Tony Moffa & Paul Lipscombe (ably assisted by Nicki) for organising and JPB marhalling

The rain held off and the roads were dry for stage two; perfect conditions for the 10 mile TT from St Ouens to St John. There were some more good times put in and some of the old excuses...such as tractors, horses, white van man etc. Without closed roads such delays are inevitable on occassion and I can quite understand the frustration, but hey we do this for fun. Tomorrow is when the fun really starts with the dreaded Crotcher...I do so love the climb up L’Etacq. Thanks to Tony Moffa & Rob Erskine for organising assited by Shaun Crowther and JPB.

It may have been a bit chilly and the south easterley breeze made it hard going heading back to the finish, but all in all it was a good day to do the Crotcher. It’s interesting talking to fellow riders to find that many hold this course in high esteem for its variety of terrain, and even enjoy that challenge of L’Etacq hill...even me in a masochistic type way. The three divisions all saw a reasonable turnout and some close racing, L’Etacq as always being the point where the grouos were blown apart as riders stuggled with the gradient. The largest turnout was in Div 2, won by Gary from  Liverpool on his annual pilgrimage to Jersey...good to see you. He managed to get away with Anthony Chandlen on the second lap and his dig at the top of L’Etacq proved too much for Anthony who was caught by the pelaton within 50 metres of the finish. Divsion 3 saw 5 riders get away on the first climb with Pete Mitchell leading the way including young Sam and yours truly (much to my surprise). This group gradually slimmed down as the race continued with Pete recording an excellent solo victory followed by Mark Bartalli. Young Sam may have thought he was going to get third, but I caught him by the Watersplash and just held him off in a hard fough sprint....sorry mate but thats racing and it won’t be long before I am just dust in your tracks! For Div 1 the last time I saw them Chris Spence was away but couldn’t manage to hold the chasing group off, Ali taking the sprint. Big thank you to all the marshalls...Mike Stilwell, JPB, Ian & Susan Williams, Keith Davies and organisers Tony Moffa, Rob Erskine and Harvey Brookfield.

It may have stopped raining by the start of Mondays race on Les Platon but the roads were very wet, with standing water in places (at least one swimming pool) and debris washed off the trees and verges. It was a close call whether to proceed but the organisers went ahead with riders taking it very carefully on the corners, Keith White sadly taking a tumble...hope you and the bike are all OK. Turnout in all the divisions was small, no doubt due to the weather...wimps the lot of you. With every one taking it steady the action all happened at the nd with Chris Sevioit just out sprinting Chris Spence, Paul Millar taking Div 2 on the line and pete Mitchell getting away on the final climb up from the monument to complete an impressive clean sweep of all 4 events. Big thank you’s to our super organiser Tony Moffa together with Bob Cabot and marshalls JPB, Mark Nish, Sean Twohig...all in all a good weekends racing with apologies to any marshalls I have failed to name...many thanks.  

 Final thanks go to Doc King for his excellend hospitality as always after Mondays rece. the sausage butties were delish and the red wine, coffee and other liquid refreshment hit the perfect spot....a very good way to round off the weekend...and everyone behaved. As for the guitar playing....enough said!  

Stage 1 – Hill Climb St Catherine. Friday 23^rd May

 

No	Name	Club	Div	Out	In	Time	Time Bonus	Pos’n Div 1	Pos’n Div 2	Pos’n   Div 3
01	Dave Jardine	VSJ	1	01	4:44	3:44		4
02	Allan Miller	CCC	2	02	6:23	4:23			10
03	Chris Sevier	CCC	1	03	6:43	3:43	5 Secs	3
04	Sarah Smith	CCC	3	04	8:56	4:56				9
05	Adam Wojikiewicz	CCC	1	05	8:26	3:26	10 Secs	=2
06	Dave Mayman	CCC	1	06	9:26	3:26	10 Secs	=2
07	Peter Derrick	VSJ	3	07	11:27	4:27				5
08	Andy Ilton	VSJ	3	08	12:55	4:55				8
09	Colin Perry	CCC	2	09	13:05	4:05			6
10	Paul Miller	CCC	2	10	13:45	3:45			4
11	Anthony Chandlen	VSJ	2	11	14:41	3:41	10 Secs		2
12	Shaun Bosio	VSJ	3	12	16:22	4:22	5 Secs			3
13	Martin Smith	VSJ	2	13	16:39	3:39	20 Secs		1
14	Robin Ovenden	CCC	1	14	17:20	3:20	20 Secs	1
15	Des McClelland	VSJ	3	15	19:37	4:37				6
16	Pete Mitchell	VSJ	3	16	19:56	3:56	20 Secs			1
17	Susan Williams	VSJ	3	17	21:46	4:46				7
18	Kevin Mahony	VSJ	1	18	21:49	3:49		5
19	Noel Hayden	CCC	2	19	23:22	4:22			9
20	Steve Whiteside	VSJ	2	20	24:19	4:19			8
21	Chris Spence	CCC	1	21	24:26	3:26	10 Secs	=2
22	Sean Tuohig	VSJ	2	22	26:08	4:08			7
23	Stephen Hayley	VSJ	3	23	N/A	4:26				4
24	Damien Mayer	CCC	2	24	27:43	3:43	5 Secs		3
25	Mark Bertali	CCC	3	25	29:07	4:07	10 Secs			2
26	Keith Davis	VSJ	2	26	29:50	3:50			5
M	Paul Lipscombe	VSJ	2	27	+10% of 1st Place	4:02	N/A
M	Nicky Bardin	VSJ	3	27	+10% of 1st Place	4:19	N/A

 

Stage 2 - St Ouen-St John 10M TT – Saturday 24^th May

Stage 3, Scotcher Road Race, Sunday 26th May

Division 1

Division 2  

Division 3  

Stage 4 – Les Platons Road Race – Monday 26^th May

Division 1  

Division 2