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South
Pacific Vets Championships - Maryborough 2008
Friday 21st to Monday 24th
March 2008
Local Riders
Do Well
Many local cyclists once again performed
well in the South Pacific Vets Cycling Championships,
held over four days of the Easter break at Maryborough,
Victoria.
Meg Parnaby finished with a first
and second placing, while Leon Gibson had a second
and third placing.
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Meg
Parnaby |
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Riding in Fridays age group scratch
races, Stawell rider Meg Parnaby topped the list with
a brilliant win against a strong field.
The closely
matched bunch of riders were all still together at
the end of the race, despite some attempts to break
up the field on several hills. The race came down to
the final sprint.
Although not known as a strong sprinter,
the uphill finish and a strong crosswind favoured Parnaby.
She came off the back of the pack to make an unexpected
attack about 300m from home, gaining a good break,
then used her renown strength to hold her lead to the
line.
Fridays strong winds created havoc
with many riders, blowing bindii burrs across the road
to the detriment of many a tyre. Leon Gibson only managed
to get 50m into his race when he fell victim to a bindii.
Rumour has it that earmuffs were required in the vacinity
for some time afterwards!!
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| Leon
Gibson |
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Other riders to survive
the bindii and finish well up in their fields were
Shauna Heard and Merv Thompson, who both placed 4th
in their age groups, and Alan Barnett who finished
6th. Steve Monks missed the breakaway in his race,
and finished in the main group of riders.
In Saturdays
time trials, defending champion Meg Parnaby couldn’t
lift to the occasion after her previous days win, but
still rode very strongly to finish second.
Michael
Kelly tackled the 300m sprints but unfortunately pulled
his cleat out of the pedal at about the 40m mark.
Leon
Gibson ran a close second in Sundays criteriums, and
Merv Thompson was happy with his 5th placing in his
age group. Alan Barnett also competed, but punctured
on the last lap.
Leon Gibson, Tania Walter, Steve Monks,
Ian Blackie and Alan Barnett all competed in Mondays
65km handicap, but Leon Gibson's 18 minute bunch forged
to the lead, and was not caught by following hordes.
Leon
came up with another great result by finishing 3rd
in the sprint.
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Peter Wemyss
