Masters, In this week’s Bleat

  • CRMuBS out and about– Shepparton – Masters road nationals
  • Next Race – Tuesday 3 October – Stromlo Forest Park Criteriums
  • Race Report – none this week
  • Race calendar can be found here for other race dates needing Officials

CRMuBS out and about – Shepparton

Masters road nationals in Shepparton—Two Golds, two silvers and two bronze medals for Canberra region riders!

The nationals started disastrously when in the early stages of the junior TTs a truck driver attempted a U-turn on a blind hill despite knowing a race was in progress. A junior rider crashed into the truck, sustaining catastrophic injuries. This caused the cancellation of the rest of the TT races and forced the road loop to be revised to an out-and-back course—a sort of elongated Dairy Flat course. Hardly ideal for those hoping for a variety of terrain.

Making the most of the new course was criterium specialist Rosie Hurt, who won a bunch sprint of eight to be crowned W3 road champion, with Kate Vandenberg in 10th.  In the W6 Liz Lowe and Shirley-Anne Taylor were 8th and 9th, respectively.

Denis Mungoven took out third in the M4 category, with Anthony Murfett in 18th, only 15 seconds back. Ben Morrison was 5th in the M3s. Marc Vroomans was 10th, Nathan Spillane 18th, Steve Blackburn 25th in the M5s, all with the same time. In the M9s, AKA clash of the titans, Bruce McMillan collected a silver with archrival Mark Taylor in 6th place.

Turning to the criteriums, Peta Brill was 4th in the W5s, while Liz and Shirley-Anne were 6th and 7th in the W6s. Rosie was hot favourite for the W3 crit but slipped on one of the corners and wasn’t able to rejoin with the leaders, finishing 7th.

In the M9s, Bruce and Mark locked horns again, with Bruce taking the bronze and Mark 6th. Marc Vroomans won a large bunch sprint in the M5s, but unfortunately there was a rider 53 seconds ahead of them all. From memory, this is Marc’s greatest performance at the national level. Well done Marc. Nathan Spillane finished in 15th place. In the M3s, Ben Morrison once again claimed the national criterium title—Fantastic!

Rob Langridge – Race committee

RACING – next race.

Criteriums are here for 2023 / 24 season starts… 3 October. Volunteers are needed so please check dates at the link.

Tuesday 3 October – Stromlo Forest Park Criteriums

Wk 0. Twenty min plus 2 laps, early sunset

E / F / G 20m 2 @ 5:50
A / C 20m 2 @ 6:15
B / D 20m 2 @ 6:40
Sunset @ 7:08

Racing Calendar changes – please see below

Sunday, October 15The 2023 Gunning (aka Peter McLennan Memorial) event.
Start/Finish at Bredalbane, using the community hall as race central
Consists of a TT event followed by the usual 48km lap – once or twice depending on your grade.
The handicapper is considering letting D grade vote on their lap count…  
The single day approach facilitates (i) the ability to attract potential 2024 members though the use of the single day trial licence, and (ii) reduces event costs hiring NSW traffic controllers.

Chris Short – Race Committee

thebleat@actvets.cc