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The Golden Mile – an Aussie Wheelrace

Golden Mile Wheelrace

Unique to Australian track racing is the “Wheelrace” or handicap. A key feature of the country carnivals, this exciting format pits world champions against club racers in what is otherwise an Australian tradition. Although they are non-championship events, they are always fiercely contested as they have combine the “thrill of the chase” for the stronger back markers with the possibility of winning against the best for the slower riders. And this is not to mention that they often see the greatest amount of prize money on offer.

Race distances are usually anywhere between 2,000 and 3,000 meters. Riders start from a number of positions around the track, with their handicap (or position on the track) based on current grading and past performances. The top riders start from the ‘scratch’ mark – which equates to the full race distance. These scratch riders – normally top pros, world champions, leading Six Day riders, etc – are the only competitors who have to cover the entire race distance. The other riders are given a head start and therefore ride less distance. Sometimes, the slower front markers can be given over 300 metres head start and which means a lot less distance to travel.

If the handicapper has done his job properly, the theory goes that all riders should finish at exactly the same time – reality usually plays out differently. Sometimes an organised group of front and middle markers can work together to hold off the highly-fancied “scratchies”. The beauty of this is that it gives riders of all abilities a chance to compete against the stars with a theoretic even chance of winning. For spectators it’s incredibly exciting to watch your local club champion beat a world champion. Can you imagine?

The photos below show how the 2016 Golden Mile at the Bendigo International Madison carnival unfolded from where I sat in the Frank McCaig stand on corner 1. Sam Welsford (WA) off 20 meters was the eventual winner over Ben Abels (VIC) off 60 meters. Although Ben was a middle marker, he is a natural sprinter so he was likely to stand a chance in the final. Staying out the front for the final half lap he was just pipped on the line. For me, as a friend of Ben’s, it was thrilling to watch.

2016 Golden Mile Final – Final Result

1. 7 Sam WELSFORD (Northern Districts WA CC) 20 1:37.35
2. 34 Ben ABELS (Brunswick CC) 60
3. 5 Jackson LAW (Marconi CC) 10
4. 8 Callum SCOTSON (Port Adelaide CC) 20
5. 3 Glenn O’SHEA (Norwood CC) scr
6. 6 Daniel FITTER (QAS) 20
7. 9 Miles SCOTSON (Port Adelaide CC) 20
8. 12 Nick STOPLER (Malojapushbikers) 25
9. 11 Kelland O’BRIEN (St Kilda CC) 35
10. 19 Alex PORTER (Sturt Holdfast Marion CC) 40
11. 20 Luke PARKER (Carnegie Caulfield CC) 40
12. 22 Sam CROME (Bendigo & District CC) 40
13. 31 Harrison CARTER (St George CC) 60
14. 33 Ryan SCHILT (Brunswick CC) 60
15. 2 Graeme BROWN (Randwick Botany CC) scr
16. 47 Greg HOGAN (Brunswick CC) 80
17. 48 Jarrod DRIZNERS (Kilkenny CC) 95
18. 55 Nicholas SIMPSON (Castlemaine CC) 120
19. 91 Josh GUNDRY (Bendigo & District CC) 120
20. 59 Allan SATCHELL (Stawell-Great Western CC) 125
21. 63 Stephen KILPATRICK (Albury-Wodonga Panthers CC) 135
22. 66 Dean MCNAMARA (Bendigo & District CC) 140
23. 71 Matthew DENHAM (Horsham CC) 155
24. 74 Michael BAILEY (Launceston City CC) 170

Golden Mile - Kell O'Brien (VIC) & Alex Porter (SA) It’s not unusual for riders to get organised beforehand so they can work effectively during the race. Before taking their marks, back markers Kell O’Brien (VIC) off 35 meters & Alex Porter (SA) off 40 meters discuss their tactics to help the back markers “get up” and in the mix for the win.

2016 Golden Mile - Luke Parker (VIC) & Callan Douglas (VIC) Each rider needs a strong holder who can give them the most powerful push possible. Here, backmarker Luke Parker (VIC) off 40 meters is being held by former Golden Mile winner Callan Douglas (VIC) – a top class track & criterium rider himself.

2016 Golden Mile - The front markers are desperately trying to stay away. The front markers need to get organised and work together if they are to stand a chance of staying away. Often they are given up to 300 meters head start over the scratch race riders. However, given that the front markers are usually made up of the masters category riders this seems fair.

2016 Golden Mile - Greg Hogan (VIC) and Ryan Schilt (VIC) If the middle markers can catch the front markers and stay away the chances of winning are high. If the back markers and scratchies catch them only a top sprinter from the middle markers can win. Ben Abels off 60 meters (VIC), who is still at the back of this group, came close in second place behind eventual winner Sam Welsford off 20 meters. (WA).

2016 Golden Mile - 7 World Champions in hot pursuit In hot pursuit! This group of seven back markers consists of 7 world champions – Kell O’Brien (VIC), Dan Fitter (QLD), Callum Scotson (SA), Miles Scotson (SA), Sam Welsford (WA), Glenn O’Shea (SA) and Jackson Law (NSW). They’ve already shelled a couple of riders. At this point they are riding at over 55km/h on a fixed gear. In other words, they are flying!

2016 Golden Mile - The front markers are caught The point where the middle markers catch the front markers. Although they put up a good fight, their game is over. Ben Abels (VIC) is still at the back of the middle markers. Are the middle markers working for him to get the win?

2016 Golden Mile - Go Nic Simpson! Nic Simpson (120m) from Bendigo driving as hard as possible to keep the middle markers away from the back markers. The back markers have already caught the front markers and are making rapid progress. The holders on the side of the track are screaming “GET A MOVE ON!!!”.

2016 Golden Mile - Every man for himself The Scratchies have caught the middle markers and it’s now every man for himself. 2016 World Team Pursuit Champion Callum Scotson is driving as hard as he can at this point. For some of the riders, their work is done.