Masters, In this week’s Bleat
- From the Desk of the President
- Next Crit Race – summer evening criterium series week 23 – Tuesday 26 March 5.50 PM
- Narrabundah Track Racing – Thursday 28 March, 5.30 PM
- Crit week 22 report 19 March – Alan Bontjer
- Track Racing Report 21 March – Graeme O’Neill
- Handicapper’s musings
- Membership message
- Race calendar can be found here for other race dates needing officials
FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT
We held a thoroughly researched and prepared committee meeting tonight, and the new Treasurer got his first budget up and past the committee; well done Simon.
In preparing for the upcoming road season, our van has been serviced thanks to Chris Nolan, and we have retained our use of satellite phones in case of emergency on the more remote roads without phone reception, on a much more cost-effective plan. We have purchased a new countdown timing board that can be deployed between SFP, and road races and you may see its use at SDTC for the first time soon.
Tonight the committee voted to implement some changes in the way volunteerism operates in our club, shifting the focus from passive engagement to a more active mode of recruitment. In addition to the incentives that we have previously announced for directing, marshalling and van driving for road races, the committee is drafting a volunteer policy that will require a volunteer commitment as a club member while rewarding it, and this is supported by our recent survey results which we will make available soon for the members’ consumption.
The first level of volunteer enlightenment 
, is knowing how much you have enlightened us with your volunteering!
And for this reason, within your individual RMS record where your results are recorded in https://rms.crmcc.org.au/index, you will be able to view how many races you have enjoyed since you last helped out. We need to plug a few holes as we’re aware that van driving isn’t currently counted towards that, but will make that change soon. We hope that this reminds you that you might be due to help out soon so that your other clubbies can race. This also takes the strain off ‘the system’ which is currently staffed by, you guessed it, a shipload full of ageing and weary volunteers. We will start to actively recruit volunteers by allocating some members to vacant spots in our calendar that are currently unfilled, so that we can forecast out 6 months in advance. Please email race.committee@crmcc.org.au if you can help out. To assist the volunteer participation uptake, the committee agreed to purchase and implement insurance liability coverage for all volunteer roles at races, and as reminder we offer training and mentoring for marshals, race directors, and van driving.
In recognition of the tireless commitment from club members whether it be racing or committee involvement, the committee unanimously voted tonight to bestow 3 lifetime award memberships to Ian McVay, Kirsti McVay and Rob Langridge. Between the 3 of these racers, they bring 77 life years of racing experience to the club, with over 1,608 races contested, and I reckon there’s a story or two behind everyone one of those battles.
Congratulations to these worthy recipients who have made significant, long lasting contributions as a club member of at least 10 years.
Conan
CRMCC President
UPCOMING RACING
Summer evening criterium series week 23 – Tuesday 26 March
Race director Alan Bontjer, marshal Claire Aubrey, first aid Simon Whitehead
| Grades | Time | Race Duration [ sunset @ 7:06 ] |
| B/D | 5:50 | 20mins + 2 laps |
| E/F/G | 6:15 | 20mins + 2 laps |
| A/C | 6:40 | 20mins + 2 laps |
Race registration cut-off is 3:50pm. Cost is $10.
You need to register by looking up the calendar entry in the RMS https://rms.crmcc.org.au/calendar
You must wear your CRMCC assigned race number to race.
Late registrations will be assessed by Race.committee@crmcc.org.au and if allowed, a late fee of $10 will be applied.
If you are unregistered and show up to the crit track, you must convince a committee member (not the Race Director) of your club member financial status for insurance purposes, before being allowed to participate.
The forecast is for no rain, a maximum of 27 degrees with northwesterly winds 15 to 20 kmh in the late afternoon. Good conditions with a slight headwind as one turns on to the finishing straight in an anti-clockwise direction.
NARRABUNDAH TRACK PRESENTATION – THURSDAY 28 MARCH, 5.30 PM
This track session will be the 23-24 presentation evening and the closing event for the track season. We hope to see as many trackies as possible. All other club members also very welcome.
5.30pm – 6.00pm: Warm-up and free practice.
6.00pm – 6.20pm: Italian pursuit.
6.20pm – 7.30pm: Presentation and season celebration.
There will be the usual practice and warm up from 5.30pm and a single Italian Pursuit event at 6.00pm, followed by the trophy presentations.
The club will provide drinks and nibbles. If anyone wishes to bring a plate, it will be most welcome.
RACING REPORTS
Stromlo Forest Park crit Tuesday 19 March
Stromlo Forest Park,
Cool, but humid with a little wind. Race times were down to 20-25 minutes this week with the impending end of daylight savings.
With races only being 20 or so minutes, attacks were the order of the day, specially in A and B grades. B grade started with a yellow and blue train leading the bunch in single file. Quite a few riders tailed
off while Dale Kleeman managed to ride himself back on.
Mark Vardy was off the front of C grade for quite a few laps. Maybe it would have been better to keep the initial break of Claire, Michael and Mark together. In the end Lucy won a splendid sprint ahead of Craig O’Neall and Simon Porombka.
EFG rode together, but split into the respective grade groups after 3 laps. Charles won a tight sprint over Rico, while Lindsay was too strong for Paul and Gai won G grade by herself.
A grade ended with a crash on the last corner. No major injuries. Hope Steve Crispin recovers quickly from hip abrasions. The places were taken out by Stuart Griffiths, Bradley Peppinck and Mark Harris.
D grade ended with a splintering bunch over the last couple of laps when the pace really went on. Kevin Newhouse outsprinted the husband and wife team of Sepp and Julie Kael. D grade would also like to thank B grade for early warning when passing and for giving a nice wide berth on the corners when passing.
Thanks to Ian for all the pre-race setup. Thanks to Liz for the results, roll call and race timings. Thanks to Simon for the prompt first-aid.
Race director Alan Bontjer
The word on Steve Crispin’s recovery is he lost plenty of skin, had a few stitches and is managing wounds. Despite feeling sub-par Steve will contest the AusCycling ACT criterium champs this week.
Results for the criterium at SFP on 19 March 2024 here https://rms.crmcc.org.au/index
Links to photos, courtesy of Ian Hutchings, from last week’s criterium here https://www.facebook.com/groups/ACTVets/permalink/2110291789341205/ , https://www.facebook.com/groups/ACTVets/permalink/2110287662674951/ , https://www.facebook.com/groups/ACTVets/permalink/2110285779341806/ and https://www.facebook.com/groups/ACTVets/permalink/2110283626008688/.
Also a link to the final two minutes of A grade courtesy of Tristan Dimmock – https://www.facebook.com/groups/ACTVets/permalink/2110472752656442/. You can witness the crash in A grade on your big TV if you wish.
TRACK RACING REPORT- THURSDAY 21 MARCH
Thursday 21 March was the final competitive track session for 2024. The track racing season concludes with a presentation evening on 28 March. It was a noticeably cool evening with a moderate headwind in the back straight. Attendance was 9 riders, 4 in A grade and 5 in B grade.
The 8-lap A grade scratch race started with Craig Kentwell leading out at a good clip. Steve Jones then rolled to the front for 1.5 laps, keeping the pace up. Conan Liu then took over the lead out for 2.5 laps. After a further lead out lap by Ben Robey, Craig Kentwell was back on the front and keen to go for the finish. Craig cranked up the pace, but the bunch pursued and stuck like glue at the catch. Riders were splayed up the banking as the bell lap approached. The final lap was a ferocious sprint between Steve Jones and Conan Liu with both riders scorching around the track in lockstep. Steve pulled ahead with around 30 metres to go and managed to hold a metre lead until the finish line. Conan Liu settled for a well contested second, with Craig Kentwell, not far back in third place.
The 8-lap B grade race had four starters. The first four laps were orderly with one lap turns on the front by Alison Hale, Phil Coulton, Graeme O’Neill and Ben Davis. The cycle repeated until lap 7 when Phil Coulton and Alison Hale set off to contest the final lap. Phil Coulton did very well to hold Alison’s wheel but could not roll Alison for the win. Graeme O’Neill and Ben Davis trailed in for third and fourth place. Ben showed the appropriate deference to age, allowing Graeme into third place.
The next scheduled event was a 1-lap, standing start, time trial. Rider’s times were all fairly good. Best on the night was Ben Robey at 31.03 s (38.9 km/hr). Next were Craig Kentwell (31.59s, 38.2 km/hr) and Conan Liu (32.39s, 37.2 km/hr). Phil Coulton (32.51s, 37.1 km/hr) was the fastest in B grade. Commiserations to Phil, as he is just hitting form as the track season closes.
The third programmed event was a 2-lap Handicap. This event had 7 riders with A and B grade combined. Limit rider Graeme O’Neill held out for about 1.2 laps before being passed by Alison Hale, Alison’s pursuers were not far back and she only just managed to hold off Ben Davis for the win. Ben Robey came in third and seemed to be having a good night for only his third track session this season.
The session’s final event was the usual Italian pursuit. The teams had 4 riders. Sarah Stephen arrived late at track, due to work commitments. Alison Hale generously offered Sarah her place in Team 2. You could see from the delighted look on Sarah’s face that she was raring to go. Team 2 made the inspired decision to put Sarah at anchor, as she was completely fresh. The race unfolded with Phil Coulton giving Team 2 a small lead on lap 1 and Ben Roby / Conan Liu augmenting that lead. Sarah Stephens started with several metres lead on the final lap. However, she was up against the formidable Steve Jones. Sarah was unstoppable, surprising everyone with her pace over the final lap to assure Team 2’s victory.
Major place getters were as follows:
8-Lap Scratch: (A grade) Steve Jones, Conan Liu, Craig Kentwell (B grade) Sarah Stephens, Phil Coulton, Graeme O’Neill.
1-Lap SS TT: Ben Robey (31.03s, 38.9 km/hr), Craig Kentwell (31.59s, 38.2 km/hr), Conan Liu (32.39s, 37.2 km/hr), Phil Coulton (32.51s, 37.1 km/hr).
2-lap Handicap: (A&B Grades) Alison Hale, Ben Davis, Ben Robey.
Italian Pursuit: Winner Team 2 (Conan Liu, Sarah Stephens, Ben Robey, Phil Coulton).
Final Omnium Points Score
Conan Liu (16), Hamish Anderson (15), Ben Davis (14), Graeme O’Neill (11), John Paul De Sousa, (10), Phil Coulton (10), Warwick Wilson (9), Steve Jones (8), Alison Hale (8), Kerry Knowler (7), Sarah Stephens (5), Gavin Stephens (4).
Final Season Point Score
Conan Liu (339), John Paul De Sousa (318), Hamish Anderson (234), Graeme O’Neill (224), Alison Hale (208), Sarah Stephens (189), Craig Kentwell (171), Warwick Wilson (160), Phil Coulton (158), Steve Jones (144), Kerry Knowler (122), Ben Davis (119), Martin Graham (86), Wayne Benham (73), Ed Garnett (70).
Congratulation to Conan Liu for taking out both the 23-24 Track Championship and Omnium Championship.
Graeme O’Neill
HANDICAPPER’S MUSINGS
Handicaps
Ed Meeuwissen B to A
Mark Vardy C to B
The club’s most prolific participants
The list below details the club’s most prolific participants. The current leader is Nick Boylan with 869 races (volunteering also counts towards one’s race record). Will anyone be able to match that in the future? With the end of weekly road races over the winter it will be more difficult, but prior to the opening of the Stromlo circuit in late 2007, the club didn’t conduct weekday twilight races. Before then, all criteriums/races at Dairy Rd, Kingston Causeway, AFP training circuit Majura, Geoscience Australia Symonston and Queanbeyan track were conducted on a Sunday morning. Between 2007 until about five years ago it was possible to compete twice per week by racing on Tuesdays and Sundays, as Sunday racing was quite popular.
Ian Preston is probably the club’s most frequent competitor now, racking up 405 events since joining in 2011. He also has the club’s most loyal fan, as Mrs Presto rarely misses a crit event. Work commitments prevented him from racing on weekends prior to retirement but he now has a prolific race record. Mark Harris, on 514 events, has taken a more steady approach since his first race in 1996, but also has competed in many other cycling events during that time and prior to joining the club. On the women’s side, Linda Stals has achieved 560 events since joining in 2006. Linda has been a great supporter of the road program over the years and regularly turns out for criteriums.
Boylan, Nick 869
Bontjer, Allan 806
Morton, Ian 711
Langridge, Robert 651
Milnes, Simon 638
Stals, Linda 560
Harris, Mark 514
Crowe, Bernard 507
Fitch, Rico 465
Dickson, David 456
Lowe, Elizabeth 419
Barberet, Christophe 405
Preston, Ian 405
Savell-Boss, Seymour 392
Marston, Russell 381
Vroomans, Marc 351
Griffin, Bruce 347
O’Neill, Graeme 337
Coulton, Phillip 336
Tilley, Owain 329
Roche, Ally 319
Chugg, Brian 318
Jones, Steven 316
Chowns, Jonathan 305
MEMBERSHIP MESSAGE
To renew your financial membership for 2024
Please carefully follow the instructions below to renew your racing membership for 2024 with the Capital Region Masters Cycling Club of the Australian Veteran Cycling Council Inc.
As previously stated, the annual racing licence for 2024 is $140, comprising $120 for the national component, and $20 club component for running races.
• To start the $140 race licence process click here https://amc.helloclub.com/register?membership=657ed9ff637993bde7bcf446. This is for both new and renewing members
• The membership system has moved to Hello Club from SportsTG, and your previous account credentials will NOT work with this system. You will need to create a new membership account, irrespective of how many years you have been a member of the club.
• Do NOT sign in using a previous AVCC account, click CONTINUE.
• Read and agree to the terms and conditions.
• Sign up with email, Google or Facebook. Follow the prompts to enter your contact details and emergency contact details.
• Pay $140 via credit card.
• If successful, you will receive an email from ‘Australian Veteran Cycling Council reply+australian-veteran-cycling-council@helloclub.com’ to inform you that your registration has been completed.
• Contact membership@crmcc.org.au if you have questions or if you encounter any issues.
Conan
CRMCC Club Membership Officer
RvV
The Tour of Flanders is on this Sunday – hooray there is a public holiday so we can stay up to watch the finish. Have your refreshments of Belgian beer, chocolate or frites by your side to watch one of cycling’s great races.
