Waterside Wimpy Newcastle Road Race – 5 February 2012 - by Dirk Barnard

Sunday morning dawned with the expectation of heavy rain which was forecast but with the weather gods being on our side no rain. It was still heavily overcast with a slight breeze just to keep things cool. For the first time this year we had a full Mr Price Vets Team present at the race. Yes, that means that even the wily old fox BRYAN CUSACK was in our midst and, for the first time, the only rose between the thorns Isabel Moolman. In the mix with us we had to contend with the local lad AC Swanepoel, from Cycle Lab there was Werner Moolman, Brett Berriman and Trevor Row, Martin Atterbury wearing his white outfit (brave considering rain was forecast) and the sprightly Mr Price Junior Liam Mooney.


The start gun went at 06H15 with the Juniors, U 23, Elites, Vets 30-39 and Vets 40-49 all starting together. With the first kilometer being a steady climb the pace was very sedate until we got to the top where Sean Merredew took over and showed us how to descend. As the first couple of kilometers was verily all down hill the first attack come from Mr Price's Sean Merredew. This was however reeled in by the Cycle Lab team. The Mr Price Vets team was riding very aggressively with a couple of attacks one after the other. This made the Cycle Lab team work hard to reel in every break. About 1km before the turn off to the dam another attack came from Dirk Barnard followed by team mate Andrew Reeves, Junior Liam Mooney and AC Swanepoel. A gap of +- 20 seconds opened and with the first real climb of the day it looked like the break might get away from the bunch. As we crested the short but steep climbed I glance over my shoulder to see the main bunch behind splintering a bit with the Cycle lab team pushing the pace to reel us in. The break got caught before the next 90 degree turn from where the pace and bunch settled in for a while. Not being content just riding the auto bus Emile Fouche put in a well time attack getting away on his own. The gap grew steadily. With the Cycle Lab team on the front the gap stayed constant. As we made the final left turn toward the turn around point Emile Fouche was still ahead of the bunch but with the longest and most testing climb just a few kilometers away, it would really put Emile to the test, especially with the road not being in the greatest condition, lots of pot holes and even a +- 50 meter stretch of gravel to contend with. As we hit the bottom of the climb Liam Mooney took up the pace and Emile was back in the pack. With the pace and effort picking up all the time Sean Merredew attacked about half way up the climb followed by team mate Mike Viljoen and local lad AC Swanepoel. By the half way turning point they managed to open a small gap on the following bunch consisting of Mr Price's Andrew Reeves, Brian Cusack, Liam Mooney, Martin Atterbury and Cycle Lab's James Burne.


A small chasing bunch of 6 formed behind the 7 leading guys with the Cycle Lab team having the most to lose. The gravel section on the descent proved to be somewhat of a race decider as unfortunately Werner Venter punctured and Mike Viljoen picked up a slow puncture which was luckily very very slow. Soon after the right turn back to the dam Sean Merredew, Mike Viljoen and AC Swanepoel were reeled in by a hard working Martin Atterbury and James Burne. As the trio was caught Andrew Reeves' chain somehow managed to twist, which left him standing hopelessly next to the road where Emile Fouche and Cycle Lab's Werner Moolman stopped to assist. With great sportsmanship Werner Moolman gave Andrew Reeves his bike to complete the race, taking himself out the race. The leading bunch of 7 were now just watching each other and riding at a steady pace and things would surely be decided on what the locals call “The 3 sisters” just a few kilometers from the finish line.


The chasing 6 become 4, with 2 Cycle Lab and 2 Mr Price riders. Needless to say Mr Price had a nice ride all the way to the main road where we could see that we were not going to catch the main bunch ahead of us. We started to work with the Cycle Lab guys. Up head the battle started on the bottom of the final sister where AC Swanepoel attacked. He was followed by Martin Atterbury with Sean Merredew not far behind. Battling with his slow puncture Mike Viljoen and Bryan Cusack steadily pulled themselves back to the trio in front with Mike Viljoen managing to pass Martin Atterbury. Bryan Cusack used his experience to hold off the two youngsters. Sean Merredew was now chasing hard to catch AC Swanepoel but to no avail.


In all, a tough undulating route that tested the legs.

Final result:


1 AC SWANEPOEL


2 SEAN MERREDEW Mr Price


3 MIKE VILJOEN Mr Price


4 MARTIN ATTERBURY Mr Price


5 BRYAN CUSACK Mr Price


6 LIAM MOONEY Mr Price


7 JAMES BURNE Cycle Lab


8 ANDREW REEVES Mr Price


9 DIRK BARNARD Mr Price


10 TREVOR ROWE Cycle Lab