CYCLING
TRARALGON’S Danny Gafa dominated this month’s Latrobe City Cycling Club Track Championships, taking out both Keirin and 10 kilometre scratch race crowns.
The Keirin final was a tight affair between Gafa, Irish female national cyclist Shannon McCurley and Craig Skinner in the race to the line.
Six riders scrambled for position as Shannon McCurley scored the ideal spot on the back of the motorbike.
The field held its positions for the next three laps as the pace quickened until the motorbike pulled off the track with a lap to go.
Gafa jumped to the front with Eric Veldman on the outside, but halfway down the back straight Wayne Collins flew around the outside and headed for home.
Gafa rose to the challenge and the two were side by side rounding the final bend with McCurley and Skinner on their wheels.
Collins ran out of steam on the final straight and Gafa was able to hold off a fast finishing McCurley and Skinner to take the win.
The scratch race started off sedately and stayed that way for the first five of 20 laps.
Skinner was the first to lose patience and jumped off the front, while Veldeman was quick to push the pace up to ensure he never gained too much on the chasing bunch.
Skinner was soon caught and the bunch was back together for a few laps before the bolter went again.
This time the bunch splintered with Veldman and Wayne Tunks off the back and Chris Henne struggling to hang on.
Gafa, Collins and McCurley worked together to bring Skinner back only for him to once more surge off the front again to no avail.
This put Henne off the back and the race was down to four.
In the final few laps the hard working Skinner rested up with a sprint imminent and all took turns on the front.
As the bell rang on the final lap it was Gafa on the front watching for moves from behind.
Skinner jumped down the back straight with McCurley right on his wheel.
Gafa and Collins had a bit of work to do but caught up and jumped on the front two.
Rounding the final bend Gafa surged around the leaders with Collins on his wheel and put the foot down.
Collins was unable to come round which left Gafa to take the win from Collins with McCurley close behind in third.
Keirin results
Heat one – 1st Wayne Collins, 2nd Chris Henne, 3rd Craig Skinner, 4th Wayne Tunks – first 3 through to final.
Heat two -1st Danny Gafa, 2nd Shannon McCurley, 3rd Eric Veldman, 4th Lex Townley – first 3 through to final.
Final – Gold Danny Gafa, Silver Shannon McCurley, Bronze Craig Skinner, 4th Wayne Collins, 5th Chris Henne, 6th Eric Veldman.
10km Scratch Race Championships
Gold Danny Gafa, Silver Wayne Collins, Bronze Shannon McCurley, 4th Craig Skinner, 5th Chris Henne, 6th Eric Veldman, 6th Wayne Tunks.
For full results from the carnival see Thursday’s scoreboard.
