Veteran returns from break to win
Visiting Perth rider Andrew Simpson stamped himself as the ultimate renaissance man with a narrow victory in the Goldfields Cyclassic yesterday.
After sitting out the entire 2014 road racing season, the 34-year-old Pilbara FIFO worker was back in the saddle for his first Cyclassic, which comprised 132km from Kalgoorlie-Boulder to Menzies on Saturday before yesterday's thrilling conclusion over 105km in Leonora.
In Australia's richest handicap race with a field of 122 competing for more than $40,000, Simpson was among a tight group of B-grade riders which contested the final sprint on Leonora's Tower Street.
Perth's Martin Depiazzi claimed line honours for yesterday's Leonora Golden Wheels stage in 2hr 24min, 32sec., edging out Kim Halliday and Chris Glasby.
Simpson was crowned the overall Cyclassic champion with a combined time of 6:04:48 over the two stages.
With more than a decade of competitive cycling under his belt, Simpson flew under the radar of handicappers who started the A-grade field seven minutes behind the B-grade pack.
The A-grade field, which included 54-year-old Goldfields cycling champion and 1998 winner Paul Miller, could not catch the main pack after hitting a strong headwind.
"It's my first time out here but I'll definitely be back," Simpson said.
"I was third across the line (on Saturday) and managed to back it up again by finishing with the main pack, it's been a great weekend.
"I have been cycling for about 15 or 16 years and I had a full year off last year.
"I am trying to get back into A-grade now I've had the break and I am getting serious about competing again.
"This is one of my first big events back so I am quite surprised."
Saturday's stage, called the Chas Egan Memorial race, belonged to emerging professional rider Henry Pennell, who claimed line honours in 2:48:16.
The 19-year-old combined well with his teammate Darcy Pirotta to reel in the main field with 15km to go.
Both have signed with the professional Navitas-Satalyst outfit which competes in Australia's National Road Series and in Asia.
Pennell, who competed in last year's Cyclassic and has since spent a month developing his skills while competing in China, won a sprint finish with about 30 riders on Saturday.
Perth's Luke Pledger was runner-up and Simpson third.
"It's one of the best-run races in the State," Pennell said.
"I'll definitely be back next year."
Bunbury rider Erin Kinnealy was the women's overall winner.
Pledger was the fastest rider for yesterday's Leonora stage after clocking 2:19.
