Masters, In this week’s Bleat
- From the desk of the President
- Next Crit Race – Club Criterium Championships round 1 – Tuesday 5 March 5.50 PM
- Narrabundah Track Racing – Thursday 7 March, 5.30 PM
- Next Road Race – Dairy Road criterium – team points race – Sunday 17 March
- Crit racing report 27 February – Robert Solomon
- Track Racing Report 29 February – Graeme O’Neill
- Road racing report 3 March – Conan Liu
- Membership message
- Race calendar can be found here for other race dates needing officials
FROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT
In its first iteration since the AGM, the Committee met last night for over 2 hours via Zoom. We discussed a range of issues including recognising members’ service and contributions to the Club, improving volunteering for various roles to run races, and training ETCs and Race Directors so that we can race in NSW more cost-effectively. We discussed how only a few regular people come forward to volunteer their time by contributing back into the Club. The Committee is working a more equitable approach and is considering options like making it mandatory to volunteer for events to remain eligible to actively race with the club. If you haven’t volunteered in a while (or even at all, yes, we can see you) since you’ve been a member, then this is your chance to step up before we contact you to ask if you can help out. Please contact us at race.committee@crmcc.org.au
In recognition of the hard work and commitment that goes into driving the van, controlling traffic, or directing road races, the Committee voted to incentivise and offer an honorarium in the amount of up to $200 per event to those club members who fulfil these roles for open road races (but not criteriums). This policy is the culmination of many months of committee work and we thank past and present committee members for their input. At the centre of the use case of this policy, is a consideration of members who are no longer racing who may want to remain connected to the club by helping out as a race ‘official’.
Conan
CRMCC President
UPCOMING RACING
Club Criterium Championships week 1 – Tuesday 5 March
Race director Steve Crispin, marshal Kevin Newhouse, first aid Simon Whitehead
| Age categories | Time | Age categories [ sunset @ 7:37 ] |
| M8 (65-69)/M9 (70-74)/M10 (75-80)/M11 (80-) | 5:50 | 30mins + 2 laps |
| Women (All ages)** | 6:25 | 30 mins + 2 laps |
| M6 (55-59)/M7 (60-64) | 7:00 | 30mins + 2 laps |
** While all women will start together, results will be recorded in five year age groups (30-34, 35-39 etc)
Race registration cut-off is 3:50pm.
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.
NARRABUNDAH TRACK RACING – THURSDAY 7 MARCH, 5.30 PM
The Program for Thursday is as follows:
5.30pm – 6.00pm: Warm-up and free practice.
6.00pm – 6.20pm: 8-lap graded scratch race.
6.20pm – 6.50pm: 2-lap handicap (Omnium event 4).
6.50pm – 7.10pm: 6-lap snowball
7.10pm – 7.30pm: Italian pursuit.
NEXT ROAD RACE – TEAM POINTS RACE AT DAIRY FLAT ROAD ON SUNDAY 17 MARCH 2024
Riders will race in their criterium grades.
This format involves the race committee selecting evenly matched teams for each grade. Prior to the start, the teams will form together and any obvious imbalances will be corrected. The best mix would be at least three teams of three or more members. Once the teams are settled the teams will have a few minutes to discuss roles such as sprinter, lead-out and chase-down. Timing of the sprints will be determined by the race director. Riders will compete for points for their designated team. The points will be: 1st, 3 points; 2nd, 2 points; 3rd, 1 point; and double points for the final lap.
Rob Langridge Race Committee
We require a race director, two marshals and a van driver for the event to be run.
Please contact race.committee@crmcc.org.au if you can help the club.
RACING REPORTS
Stromlo Crit race report Tuesday 27 February
A fine day, a slight breeze, some clouds to take the sting out of the late afternoon summer sun, and a bunch of cyclists out to have some fun — life was, indeed, good at SFP on Tuesday evening.
The roller door grades – B&D – got proceedings under way.
In B grade, Seymour Savell-Boss shot out of the gates like he had to be somewhere in a hurry, only to end up hanging off the back after three laps. Things then settled down until mid-race, when Kim Pedersen, Krusty Bryant and Todd Sowter had a dig for a lap or so, and Dale Kleeman and Chris Nolan had a lash at it a bit later, to similar lack of effect. It all came down to last lap legs, with Ben McDuff prevailing over Andrew Yates and Todd Sowter.
D grade hung together for the first half, then started shedding the occasional rider off the back. Nine of the starting sixteen were together with two to go, but the pace was beginning to tell, and only a front 5 greeted the bell. In the end Ian Morton held on ahead of Vanessa Judge and Jonathan Chowns.
Next up it was BCFing fun with EF&G grades.
With Bernie Crowe having got the itch out of his system with a few strong laps before proceedings got underway for the afternoon, it was left to Robyn Smallwood to lead Gai Monahan around in G grade. They also provided a sterling service as Mobile Kangaroo Watch, keeping the RD informed as a mob cut through the lower end of the track looking for shade and green shoots.
Lindsay Graham was left in the lurch, as Bob Miller’s promotion to the E Street Band left him as the sole F grade rider. He hung onto E grade until near half race distance and finished strongly.
Aside from the now almost inevitable sight of Rico Fitch powering away for a quick warmup on the first couple of laps, E grade rode regulation tempo until the bell and then started racing. Chris Copeland led into the nuts but couldn’t stay away. Charles Black came through for the win, with Rico following and Bob justifying the handicapper’s judgement by taking third.
As the light started to fade, it was Back in Black with AC (but no DC). The kangaroos having found pastures greener, it was time for some near-duck experiences, as a footloose flock tried to muscle in on the chickens’ road-crossing lark. Close encounters, but no fouls, ensued.
C grade was enlivened by Grant Johnston’s several attempts at a jail break, with Nick Boylan joining in with three laps to go without success. Mark Vardy held on for the win ahead of Lance Purdon and Claire Aubrey.
A grade seemed to be in a hurry, with multiple attempts to get home early throughout. Repeat offenders included Steve Crispin, Daniel Lekhac and Michael Tolhurst, but it seems that few did not at least have one go to break away. However, it was pretty much gruppo compatto with 500 to go. A wall of riders crossed within a couple of bike lengths, with Ben Morrison on the inside rail sneaking through to get the bikkies ahead of the wide runner, Stuart Griffiths. Jeremy Gillman-Wells collected the crumbs.
My thanks go to Ross Heazlewood – particularly for impeccable number identification, both on riders and the timing board; Simon Whitehead, for not being needed to scrape anyone of the tarmac; and Ian Hutchings for opening and closing the venue, taking great pics and giving good advice to the relatively inexperienced RD. Thanks also to all participants for an afternoon of safe and interesting racing.
Rob Solomon
TRACK RACING REPORT- THURSDAY 29 FEBRUARY
TRACK RACING REPORT- THURSDAY 29 FEBRUARY
Thursday 29 February was the eighth track session for 2024. It was another warm evening with little wind – perfect for track racing. Attendance was 8 riders, 5 in A grade and 3 in B grade.
The 8-lap A grade scratch race started with Conan Liu leading out for a lap at average pace. The next four laps saw the pace ramp up with riders doing part lap turns on the front. Warwick Wilson rolled to the front on lap five and held a solid lead out pace for three laps. As the bell lap approached, the bunch closed up on Warwick and was tightly spread up the banking. John Paul De Sousa accelerated into the final lap with Conan Liu and Steve Jones in his wheel. Conan and Steve accelerated around John Paul in the back straight and contested a tight sprint. Conan was first over the line with Steve second and John Paul De Sousa holding out for third.
The 8-lap B grade race had only three starters. However, each rider made an effort to keep the pace up with orderly one lap turns on the front. The attack started as the bell lap approached. Phil Coulton burst off the front closely marked by Ben Davis. The pace was too hot for Graeme O’Neill who dropped of a bike length. Ben made a charge on Phil in the final turn but could not skirt around him. Phil took the win by a wheel width over Ben with Graeme O’Neill coming in third, several metres back.
The next scheduled events were 2-lap, paired match races. These races were the third event of the four event Omnium Championship. Each race was a good contest with winners generally those making the better tactical choice. Winners were Conan Liu, Hamish Anderson, Warwick Wilson, Graeme O’Neill.
The third programmed event was a 2-lap handicap. With the limited numbers, this race combined A and B grade riders. Phil Coulton and Graeme O’Neill were on limit. Phil’s initial led out was brutal with Graeme not holding his wheel. However, one lap in and the pursuers were poised on the leader’s wheel. A fraction of a lap later, Hamish Anderson, John Paul De Sousa, Conan Liu and Warwick Wilson surged past limit to contest a close sprint. Hamish held on for first place with John Paul and Conan right in his wheel, in that order.
The session’s final event was the usual Italian pursuit. The teams had 4 riders. As usual, Team 1’s Phil Coulton established a small, early lead. However, Team 2 were working flawlessly and good solid laps by Warwick Wilson, Conan Liu and John Paul De Sousa gave the team a comfortable win by around 4 metres.
Major place getters were as follows:
8-Lap Scratch: (A grade) Conan Liu, Steve Jones, John Paul De Sousa, Hamish Anderson, Warwick Wilson (B grade) Phil Coulton, Ben Davis, Graeme O’Neill.
2-Lap Match Races (Omnium Event 2): (Winners) Conan Liu, Hamish Anderson, Warwick Wilson, Graeme O’Neill.
4-lap Handicap: Conan Liu, Hamish Anderson, Warwick Wilson, John Paul De Sousa, Graeme O’Neill.
Italian Pursuit: Winner Team 2 (Conan Liu, John Paul De Sousa, Warwick Wilson, Graeme O’Neill).
Omnium Points Score Update
Hamish Anderson (15), Conan Liu (14), Graeme O’Neill (11), John Paul De Sousa, (10), Ben Davis (9), Warwick Wilson (9), Steve Jones (8), Kerry Knowler (7), Phil Coulton (6), Alison Hale (5), Gavin Stephens (4), Sarah Stephens (4).
Season Point Score Update:
Conan Liu (295), John Paul De Sousa (285), Hamish Anderson (214), Graeme O’Neill (201), Alison Hale (186), Craig Kentwell (152), Sarah Stephens (150), Steve Jones (128), Phil Coulton (128), Warwick Wilson (124), Kerry Knowler (112), Martin Graham (86), Ben Davis (84), Wayne Benham (73), Ed Garnett (70).
Graeme O’Neill
ROAD RACING REPORT – MT TENNENT TERROR HANDICAP – SUNDAY 3 MARCH
34km Handicap road race – Mount Tennent Terror, Smith’s Rd and Naas Rd, Sun 3 March 2024
The odds were not good that we had the numbers to run this race before the Sat 3pm cutoff as we were well short of the 20 needed. We’ve had to implement a minimum number of riders in order to run the event, otherwise it is not worth the combined effort of the coordination involved and volunteers’ time to setup and run a race for 5 people. In the end we got 22 starters, and 17 of them finished.
It was a beautiful morning to be racing across from Namadgi National Park, blue sunny skies, 16 deg Celsius and mild 5km/h NNW winds. Soon the sound of radio controlled airplanes would be drowned out by laboured respirations!
At the first lap turn of 17km, there were 5 surprising DNFs! The biggest movers were A grade and C grade who were clawing back their markers.
For the final, we watched Steve Crispin comfortably roll in first, over Jason Irwin, then Daniel Lekhac. Notable mentions go to the C grade trio of David Dickson, John Brotherton and Ian Preston who came in 5, 6 and 7th. We have video and stills up on Facebook.
The race officials then witnessed the most amazing sprint finish as E grader Russell Marston outsprinted B grader Simon Costello on the line! Unfortunately I was too slow to capture that speedy sprint on video, otherwise the handicapper might be promoting Russell to C grade for crits on such compelling evidence.
Thank you to my helpers Rob (van), Simon (first aid), ETCs Darren and Polly, Jan and Craig (marshals) for their time and company, and to Ian on the roving camera.
Conan
Race Director
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
The Bleat
If you would like to contribute to the Club and put the Bleat together each week, please contact us!
