Masters,

Thanks to Russell Marston for sending out last week’s Bleat while I was away on holiday. In this week’s Bleat;

•  2023 Annual General Meeting

•  From the Desk of the Handicapper

•  From the Race Committee

•  Five Peaks Challenge

•  Racing this Week

•  Race Report

Ian Morton
thebleat@actvets.cc

2023 Annual General Meeting

The AGM for the Capital Region Masters Cycling Club for 2023 will be held on Monday 13th February at 7:00pm at the Raiders Club Weston.

Members are invited to attend in person or can join via a zoom meeting (link to be advised).

For those that use zoom we need you to register your attendance. Use Chat in zoom to fully identify yourself. For example “Joe Blow is attending CRMCC AGM”.

NOTE: Any Apologies should be advised to the secretary.

Craig Tozer
Secretary Capital Region Masters Cycling Club
secretary@actvets.cc

ps We are always seeking members who are willing to join the Committee. You can download a nomination from: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Tt7NK_6jAoJRclpWUiMxWRqO1aaT_5pH

From the Desk of the Handicapper

Promotions

Steven Harrison D to C

Rob Langridge
Handicapper

From the Race Committee

Road Racing 2023

The Race Committee submitted the 2023 road racing program to Transport Canberra in December. The traffic management plan for the first event is already approved, with the full approval to conduct races expected shortly.

Almost all racing will be within the ACT as road races in NSW require Race Directors to be fully trained traffic controllers. It is also likely they are required to be an AusCycling qualified commissaire.

The Club Committee is investigating what options might be available to address these requirements to enable racing at NSW locations in 2023.

The Peter McLenan Memorial event at Gunning will be run this year engaging a Race Director with the required qualifications as well as professional traffic controllers. The remainder of events will be in the ACT with club members providing race director and traffic control duties.

The program aims to support a range of different racing interests, it favours popular ACT courses, and sees 2022 as a time to rebuild attendance at road races whilst reducing the call on club volunteers.

Feedback on the program is welcome and will be considered for the 2023 program.

Overall, there are 32 events during the year – covering 35 races, including Gunning and a new single-day Stromlo mini-tour.

  • The Summer series operates at a pace of 2 events a month – usually a fortnight apart.
  • The Winter series are generally 3 events per month.

A 6-race series at the Sutton Driver Training centre has been created:

  • Reducing volunteer requirements and addresses the increasing challenges with shared road use on the limited courses available to the club.

Sunday road racing in winter will be trialled:

  • Some members are unable to race in winter on a Saturday afternoon, usually due to clashes with supporting their children’s sporting activities.
  • 6 events – 3 road races and 3 criteriums at Stromlo – are being used to gauge wider interest.
  • The road races will follow the usual winter afternoon start times (1:30pm) reflecting both the need to manage race safety and the potential of winter fog, as well as being mindful of club volunteers supporting the racing in often very cold morning conditions.
  • The criteriums will likely have a late morning start, but timing is yet to be finalised. Suggestions to the committee are welcome.

6 handicap races to be held on the same Uriarra short course for all events:

  • This offers the opportunity for closer finishes with bunches generally being able to be kept in sight on the relatively ‘flat’ course.
  • And Rob’s great handicapping will be more finely tuned!

A limited 2 race TT series in the lead-up to Marylin & Henry Beaverstock Time Trial Trophy on the same course:

  • The trophy event is likely to be an extended version of the preceding events.

The program has also been constructed to avoid clashes with other large Canberra cycling events (Canberra Big Bike Ride, Fitz’s challenge) as well as regional events that are popular with club members such as the Bowral Gran Fondo.

It’s estimated that 58 traffic controllers will be required to support these events – as well as a race director for each event and van driver for most events.

Less than 40 club members hold the relevant Event Traffic Control qualifications.

The Club will look to organise another 1/2ish day training event early in the year to increase the number of volunteers able to support road racing.

The Race Program can be downloaded at: crmcc_2023_road_calendar.pdf

Registration for 2023

All members must be registered prior to racing in 2023.

Five Peaks Challenge

The Five Peaks Challenge non-competitive cyclo-sportive bike riding event is on again in Canberra on Sunday 23 April 2023. It is a personal challenge conducted by the Murrumbidgee Canberra Rotary Club with all profits going to charity.

There are two ride lengths: 120 km and 88 km and you can bypass as many of the peaks as you desire. You ride the peaks and your partner does the flat.

Full details and registration are at: https://www.rotaryrides.org.au/

Rob Langridge
Handicapper

RACING THIS WEEK:

Tuesday, 10th January: Stromlo Criterium

Note: Registration required by 10 Jan 2023 3:50 pm.
Any requests for Grade changes should be sorted out with the Handicapper prior to registration.
Late entries may be considered in exceptional circumstances. Please email race.committee@actvets.cc

Where: Stromlo Forest Park

Race Description:
A/C 5:50 A 45m+2, C 40m+2
B/D 6:40 B 45m+2, D 40m+2
E/F/G 7:30 30 min + 2 laps
Sunset @ 8:22

Race Director: Brian Peak Contact: Email: brianpeak1@me.com    Ph  0424 403 696

Marshals: Kerrie Muir

Thursday, 12th January: Track Racing

The Program for Thursday is;
5.30pm – 6.00pm: Warm-up and free practice.
6.00pm – 6.20pm: 8-lap graded scratch race.
6.20pm – 7.00pm: 20-lap points race.
7.00pm – 7.20pm: Italian Pursuit.

Sunday, 15th January – No scheduled race

RACE REPORTS:

SFP Criterium – 3rd January

B and D grades were off first for 42 and 38 minutes respectively, combined with the 30°C plus temperature the result was higher than usual DNF numbers. None of the DNFs on the night were due to mechanicals, riders were either victims of the heat, duration or racing intensity. The B grade field of 12 riders split roughly in half with 6 riders driving the pace in the lead group, whilst a few individuals were being spat out the back of the chasing group as the race progressed. With 20 mins to go Darren Blackhurst put in a solid attack and went off the front for a number of laps before being slowly reeled back in. With around 10 mins to go it was a lead bunch of 4 circulating in the 30+ degree sunshine. In the end it was a tight sprint for 1st and 2nd with Seymour just managing to hold on from a fast-finishing Ed Pellegrino, with Darren taking out 3rd and Dale 4th. D grade stayed together a little longer before splintering with the lead duo of Steven Harrison and Kevin Newhouse working off the front until around 5 mins to go when a gap formed, and Steven powered onto to claim 1st place uncontested. Kevin, Tim and David rolled across the line with plenty of space around them as the other 3 D grader starters had DNF’d, casualties of the heat and race duration.

E and F grades were up next and fortunately a cool change blew in shortly after they rolled away for their 28 mins + 2laps. The 6 riders, 5x E and 1x F grader, Robert Craine staying together for most of the race. After taking a few turns on the front Rob dropped off the E grade pack but continued to lap well. E grade broke up with around 5 mins to go with Chris crossing the line 1st followed by Ashley and Karen Hayes (visitor).

A cooler 24°C greeted A and C grades as they lined up for their 42 mins of fun. A grade, with only 6 riders got off to a solid start with a few attacks on the opening 2 laps. A lead trio of Steve Crispin, Stuart Griffiths and Denis Mungoven formed and worked turns until Steve decided it was to go solo off the front and practice his time trialling. At one point Stuart pulled away from Denis, but the duo reformed as they went through some lap traffic and it looked like it might be a tight sprint for 2nd place but Stuart had more left in the tank and pulled away from Denis again on the final straight. Dom, Michael and Mark continued to circulate behind the lead 3, Mark was dropped early but continued to lap consistently whilst Michael and Dom initially worked together to chase before attacking each other. In the end Michael rolled across the line ahead of Dom and Mark. C grade was the largest field with 13 starters who stayed together for a few laps before the pace started to take its toll, with a number of riders being dropped from the bunch with 2x DNF’ing. In a similar finish to B grade there were still small group of riders in a position to contest a sprint finish with 2 laps to go. As they crossed the line Brian Peak was too strong for Bruce McMillan and Michael Hanbury.

Thanks to Simon, whose 1st Aid skills were fortunately not required on the night, Kim for assistance in setting up and packing away, Tony for Sweeping the track and collecting number through the finish chute, Matt for time keeping and Rob for handling some late/changes to entries.

Paul Scherl

Track Racing – 5th January

The first track racing session for 2023 ran on Thursday 5 January. The weather regressed to winter conditions with a strong, cold headwind gusting into the front straight. The wind moderated only slightly during the evening. Fortunately, the weather did not dampen the enthusiasm for racing. Attendance was satisfactory, with 14 riders, 7 in A grade and 7 in B grade.

A Grade Scratch (8 laps)

The A grade scratch commenced with Ben Davis leading out at a brisk pace. After Ben, Steve Jones and Tim Jolly took turns at the front, maintaining an even pace. On lap 4, Conan Liu rolled to the front and kicked the pace up a notch. After this Craig Kentwell did almost 2 laps on the front before handing off to Wayne Benham. Wayne cranked up the pace a further notch. Shortly, the whole pack was enlivened and charging into the penultimate lap. By the bell lap, the lead group contained Tim Jolly, Conan Liu and Steve Jones who paced each other around the final bend for a close finish in that order.

B Grade Scratch (8 laps)

B Grade were led out by Alison Hale at a good clip. The pack stayed bunched for 6 laps with riders taking one lap turns on the front. As lap 7 approached, Karen Clutson took a well-timed flyer from the high banking, catching the pack off guard and with a slower rider on the front. By the time a pursuit commenced, Karen had a handy lead, though it was still a long way to the finish, at full pace. A pursuing bunch led by Alison Hale and James Newhouse soon had Karen in their sights and relentlessly closed the gap. Karen held her lead into the bell lap, but Alison and James were still closing. In the final bend, Alison managed to surge around the top of Karen to take a close win (half a wheel). Karen held on for second place, holding out James Newhouse for third.

Standing Start Time Trial (1-lap)

A strong gusting headwind in the front straight made the initial acceleration for this event a challenge. However, the elapsed times suggest that the initial deficit was made up by a brilliant wind assist down the back straight.

The A grade times were very competitive with most riders going under, or marginally above 30 seconds. Tim Jolly (27.84s) was the stand-out in A1 with Steve Jones close, at 28.85s. Gavin Stephens was having a first run in the track group and set a great A2 time at 28.80s.

B grade has been getting stronger of late and this was confirmed by five of the seven riders setting times that would not be shabby for A grade. The stand-outs were ED Garnett (29.26s) and Sarah Stephens (29.66s).

Handicap (2-laps)

The handicap event was all-in with a combination of A and B grades and a total of 13 riders. The female contingent from B grade initially lit up this race by blasting past the limit rider in the first half lap. They might have gone out a bit too fast, as it was still a long slog to the line with the back markers pursuing relentlessly. B grade’s Alison Hale rode impressively for an emphatic win. The placings went to mid markers Craig Kentwell and Gavin Stephens with Craig just pip-ping Gavin at the finish.

Italian Pursuit (7 laps)

Recent Italian Pursuits have not been as close as normally expected. However, this race reverted to form as a close contest, with an interesting twist. Team 2 had the full complement of in-form, B grade females and was expected to set the initial pace. Team 1 looked slightly stronger at the back end with Tim Jolly and Steve Jones as the anchor pair.

The race was close over the first few laps with a slight advantage to Team 1 from good turns by Ed Garnett and Ben Davis. That remained the pattern until the final two laps. At this point Team 1 had a handy lead, but Steve Jones gapped Tim Jolly so that Tim’s form on the final lap would be blunted. For Team 2, Gavin Stephens was tiring. However, Conan Liu was sitting nicely in Gavin’s wheel, primed for a big final lap. At this stage, the sensible money was on Team 1.

At the final changeover, Conan Liu blasted from Gavin’s wheel and with assistance from a back straight tailwind, rocketed into the final lap. Tim Jolly was slightly sub-par after taking the wind for the penultimate lap. However, he appeared to have an unbeatable lead. The final lap unfolded in dramatic fashion with Conan taking big bites off Tim’s lead. At the final turn, Tim was riding into a strong headwind and Conan getting a huge wind assist to build on his already incredible pace. Over the last 50 metres, Conan gained around 10metres on Tim. However, he needed around 13m so that Team 2 ultimately missed the win by a small margin. It was a great contest to watch.

Results Summary:
8-Lap Scratch: (A1 Grade) Tim Jolly, Conan Liu, Steve Jones. (A2 Grade) Gavin Stephens, Craig Kentwell, Ben Davis. (B Grade) Alison Hale, Karen Clutson, James Newhouse. 1-Lap Standing Start Time Trial: (A1 Grade) Tim Jolly (27.84s), Steve Jones (28.85s), Wayne Benham (29.41s). (A2 Grade) Gavin Stephens (28.80s), Craig Kentwell (30.19s), Ben Davis (30.42s). (B Grade) Ed Garnett (29.26s), Sarah Stephens (29.66s), James Newhouse (30.22s). 2-Lap Handicap: (A&B Grades) Alison Hale, Craig Kentwell, Gavin Stephens. Italian Pursuit: Winner Team 1 (Tim Jolly, Steve Jones, Craig Kentwell, James Newhouse, Ed Garnett, Graeme O’Neill, Ben Davis)

Season Point Score Update:
Tim Jolly (177), James Newhouse (156), Alison Hale (151), Conan Liu (150), Craig Kentwell (139), Steve Jones (105), John Paul De Sousa (98), Ed Garnett (94), Mark Canaider (89), Wayne Benham (83), Hamish Anderson (73), Graeme O’Neill (70), Ian Drayton (62), Bruce Griffin (56).

Graeme O’Neill