Savings & Loans Mount 2 Murray 105km Classic
Sunday, 12th October 2008

RESULTS

The Savings & Loans Adelaide Hills Veterans Cycling Club conducted its Mount to Murray Classic Open invitation on Sunday 12th. On a course of 105k from Mt Barker to Murray Bridge via Wistow, Woodchester, Langhorn Creek, Wellington and Jervois. The handicap event saw the 32 riders sent off in 5 groups with the scratch riders giving the front markers a 45 minute head start.

The first segment of the race was a climb to Wistow, down hill to Woodchester, where there was another short but energy sapping hill , and then down hill to an intermediate sprint at Langhorn Creek. With a strong tail wind, and riders averaging at 55kph ,the front markers were under no real threat from behind. Dan Freer from the AHVCC made a bold move and cleared away by about 500 meters to take out the sprint from John Horsnell and Andrew Size who were still riding together.

The next big move in the event was made by Echunga's Suzie Gray who was making a determined bid to jump across from her own group of starters to the leading group. From Wellinton to Jervois all riders had to cope with a buffeting side wind and those riders who were able to stay in a group fared the best. This meant that the scratch riders and the group just in front of them , the 'chopping block' group, began working their way through the field.

From Jervois to Murray Bridge a strong head wind was prevailing and at about 12 k from the finish the chopping block group caught Gray and the scratch group were only about 200 meters in arrears By the time the riders had reached the freeway underpass the scratch group and the chopping block group had merged into one large group. Following some whiplash effect around some technical corners the group began to stretch out as the stronger riders began sensing their advantage.

The final section was a high speed affair down Martin Rd with the wind from behind again. The first to cross the line was Simon Cooper from the Outer Harbour Veterans and ladies Cycling Club.


Note from Paul Cox:

The amount raised by the collection today was $108.60.

Please pass on my personal thanks to all concerned via the website. By the way, Sam Roberts was a 4 y.o. who died at the WCH in 2003. His parents, Michelle & Marty Roberts started the Sam Roberts Family Fund to support the Paediatric Palliative Care unit. Cycle 4 Sam (C4S) is the major fund raiser and has now raised almost $100,000 with the C4S 2006 and C4S 2008 rides and associated events. Please note: the entire amount raised by the Sam Roberts Family Fund goes to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital Foundation, earmarked for Paediatric Palliative Care. No expenses or commissions are deducted.

Cheers,
Paul Cox