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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Farewell to Adam Radford

After many years of solid coaching for Steam, coach Adam Radford is leaving us for pastures new. All of us at Steam wish him the very best and want to thank him for all the time and effort he has put in over the years for the club. We wish you every success in your new endeavours.

After elite triathlon racing for many years, including a few adventures in Hawaii, Adam has been consistently coaching the faster cycling group, with Brett Mace and with STEAM since its inception. Those who have trained with him know that it is not easy, but that he has been able to get the best out of many triathletes and cyclists. Adam has improved the cycling skills of many dodgy riders (no names!), and he always gives a good reason why he made you feel so bad for 40 minutes. He makes sure the riding is safe and he inspires you to put everything into the session. Adam is now returning to the Ironman adventure, so look out Forster.

Join us at the Zoo Bar after Thursdays session to thank Adam.

Anna and Rob

Heffron Criterium 18/12/04

With puddings on the line in Randwick Botany’s hotly contested annual “pudding races”, the Steam Train turned up to Heffron again.

Fearing another Steam white wash, Randwick sent a ringer from B grade to ride with us to attempt to salvage some dignity for the home club. On another windy day, the steam train, ably driven by Ben, went out hard averaging 36.5 kph for the first lap (from a standing start) and 38kph for the second lap, putting most of the field “into difficulties” from the start. The pace didn’t slacken (averaging over 36kph for the race) and by lap 4 half the field was gone. Ben, on the other hand, got bored, rode off the front and was never seen again.

By lap 7, the lead pack was down to 4 steam riders and 2 others. The B grade ringer from Randwick had been well and truly dropped and was one of a long line complaining loudly to the handicapper. On the final lap Peter launched to chase down Ben. As chases go it was pretty futile. Ben had finished about 5 minutes earlier and was having a well earned drink. But the attack was never headed and secured 2^nd place for Peter.

In a cunning move to avoid the eye of the handicapper, the 3 Steam riders left in the main group of 5 didn’t contest the sprint and gave 3^rd place to the home club (well that’s our story and we are sticking to it).

Ben and Peter are now, officially, ex D graders!!

The Steam train then settled down to watch the B grade race where Rob Vanolini sacrificed himself for his younger brother. Daniele got off the front with one other with 7 laps to go to the vast excitement of the supporting crowd who were taking photos and timing the gap and generally behaving like Johan Bruyneel in the team car. With an absolutely heroic effort, the two of them managed to stay away and Daniele was just pipped at the post and finished a worthy second.

If anyone’s got time, read the Randwick Botany race report….. Steam has definitely made its mark. I have never seen more than one line on the D grade race before !!!!

http://www.randwickbotanycc.com/Results%202004/Results%2018%20Dec%202004/results_18%20dec%202004.htm

Warren Lee and Anna Murray