G’day Masters,
In this week’s Bleat
- Next Crit Race – summer evening criterium series – Tuesday 29 October
- Narrabundah Track Racing – Thursday 31 October, 5.30pm
- Next Road Race – Mt Tennent Terror graded scratch on Sunday 3 November
- Crits race report for 22 October – Christophe Barberet
- Track race report for 24 October – Graeme O’Neill
- CRMCC at Kona
- Handicapper’s hammer
- Upcoming races requiring volunteers – race calendar can be found here
Summer evening criterium series week 4 – Tuesday 29 October
Race director Mick Rose, marshal Greg Harris
Bell for the final lap.
Direction clockwise
| Grades | Time | Race Duration [sunset 1931] |
| E/F/G | 17:50 | 20mins + 2 laps |
| A/C | 18:15 | A 30mins + 2 laps, C 25min +2L |
| B/D | 18:50 | B 30mins + 2 laps, D 25min +2L |
Race registration cut-off is Tuesday 29th October at 12.50pm.
Cost is $10 for a single race or $160 for a season pass.
You need to register by looking up the calendar entry in the RMS https://rms.crmcc.org.au/calendar?5021177
Late registration will be assessed by race.committee@crmcc.org.au and if allowed, a late fee of an extra $10 will be applied.
If you are unregistered and show up to the event, you must convince a committee member (not the Race Director) of your club member financial status for insurance purposes, before being allowed to participate.
You must wear your CRMCC assigned number to race. No number on the day, no race.
The club is offering a season pass for $160, which now covers 21 SFP crit races concluding on Tuesday 1 April 2025, contingent upon your renewal as a fully paid financial member from 1 Jan 2025 (once we know the amount set by the national committee).
You will need to participate in 16 crits to break even. There are eight SFP crits left in the 2024 calendar year. The season crit pass covers the Christmas wheel race, and also the Club Criterium championships on Tuesday 18 February 2025.
NOTE – the registration cut-off this season will be at 12.50pm on the Tuesday of the crit.
Narrabundah Track Racing
NARRABUNDAH TRACK RACING – THURSDAY 31 OCTOBER, 5.30 PM
The season’s second track racing session is scheduled for this Thursday.
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: 20-lap points race.
6.50pm – 7.10pm: Italian pursuit.
Spare Track Bikes
We have several spare track bikes if you wish to try track racing. Note that you will need to
bring your own pedals. You may need to pump up tyres (we will have a pump available) and
adjust saddle / bar position. You will need to check over the bike for safety purposes. Although
we will assist as far as practical, equipment safety and providing tools for fitting / adjustments is
your responsibility.
Attendance
Please register your attendance at https://rms.crmcc.org.au/calendar?5021918 , where each race
will cost $10, or purchase the season track pass at $80. We have decided to substantially reduce
the cost of this year’s season’s pass to return value to members, and to incentivise participation.
Any new or returning riders who wish to ease their way into track racing may do the just the
warm-up and the single, timed event (200m fly) at nil cost for the session. Just show up at the
Narrabundah track at 5.30pm.
Graeme O’Neill
Next road race – Mt Tennent Terror graded scratch on Sunday 3 November
Our last open road event of 2024 is a graded scratch race on the wonderful Mount Tennent course.
We have the officials, the forecast looks a cracker with a minimum of 8 and a high of 30 with a slight chance of rain so we just need riders for the race.
Riders will roll off from 9am on Sunday, 3 November.
The start and finish line is near the intersection at Naas Road and Smiths Road, approximately two kilometres south of Tharwa (https://maps.app.goo.gl/ornUMoMFQZmY2rkbA)
Racers will ride along Naas Road, over the Mt Tennent spur to the turnaround at the Apollo Road intersection, back over Mt Tennent with the run to the finish line for one lap.
Grades A/B/C will race three laps for 54km while D/E/F/G will ride two laps for 36km.
Cost is $10. Here is the link to register – https://rms.crmcc.org.au/calendar?5019062.
Registration cut-off is 5pm on Saturday, 2 November.
Race director – Shirley-Anne Taylor. ETCs – Brian Peak, Elizabeth Lowe.
Marshal – Matt Rizzuto. Van driver – Owain Tilley. First aid – Ryan Fawke.
Race your peers with the lovely Brindabellas providing a stunning background and finish the event with a tea/coffee and cake/bikkies.
Crits race report – 22 October 2024 – Christophe Barberet
Firstly I would like to thank all the Club Committee members involved, who give up some of
their “spare” time so these events can happen every week. Thank you to the helpers on the
day: Ian Hutchings who looked after setting up and closing after the race while recording the
action with his now famous camera; our young first aid officer Ryan Fawke and the marshal
on the day Bryan Holloway.
Secondly, race directing is fairly rewarding, so please consider giving it a go if you haven’t
done so recently (it also gives your body a rest!).
The night’s action went in a safe and fair manner, and we received some positive feedback,
this said the respect/etiquette/ etc can always be improved so a few points for all to note:
* Criterium general rules (briefing, bunch passing, etiquette, chute protocol etc…).
Please check the past few newsletters (Bleat) where our club president listed a few
key points for Criterium racing.
* Race numbers – yellow card to those that didn’t have a racing number (we all have
forgotten our race number once or twice for sure, but remember there is the capacity
to make one or find a spare one in the Criterium office before the race).
Red card to those (you know who you are!) that do go to the trouble of pinning their
race numbers upside down. It’s impossible to read from the sideline and doesn’t help
the RD or marshals.
In regards to the racing, it was pretty much as expected, check the result page for details, a
few people stood out on the night:
* Rob Langridge flying start in D grade was timed to perfection, took everyone by
surprise for sure.
* Allan Bontjer sprint win in D grade was magnifique. Perfect timing with his lead out
man. It looked seamless (effortless!) from our view point. Bravo.
* Ben Morrison sprint win in A grade was also outstanding, POWER all the way to the
line with daylight to the following riders.
* E grade had only three riders on the night, and they managed to probably produce one of
the most entertaining races. There were constant attacks, breakaways, riders being
dropped only to come back from the dead and counter attack. We nearly had a track
stand at some stage and the last three laps were absolutely full on with no one leaving
anything in the tank.
That’s me done, thanks to all the riders for turning up, being patient and riding safely on the
night.
Merci et a bientot
Christophe – race director
Links to photos, courtesy of Ian Hutchings, from last week’s criterium are here – https://www.facebook.com/share/p/RHJxy7wiJr9bXj3q/ , https://www.facebook.com/share/p/2SgFMrE9k5PDDtdp/ , https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1UxE9oF8fzFGwQE5/ and https://www.facebook.com/share/p/FLR8KrC23wy9oaUo/ .
Narrabundah track racing report – Thursday 24 October
Thursday 24 October saw the second track racing session for the 2024-25 season. The weather was
cool with a strong head wind in the back straight. Attendance (10 riders) was on par for the current
season.
The 8-lap A grade scratch race had a field of seven starters. The race commenced with John Paul De
Sousa leading out at a comfortable tempo. The pace ramped up after turns on the front by Conan Liu,
Craig Kentwell, Sarah Stephens and Wayne Benham. After Wayne’s turn (lap 5) the bunch became very
congested with the pace slowing as riders spread up the banking. This tactical phase continued until the
entry to the bell lap. John Paul De Sousa, Hamish Anderson and Steve Jones attacked simultaneously at
this point. Conan Liu pursued and passed most of the leaders to compete with Steve Jones for the win.
At the line, Steve held just a metre gap on Conan with John Paul De Sousa not far back in third place.
Hamish came in fourth to secure a good win in A2 grade.
The B grade scratch race had the same three starters as last week, namely Phil Coulton, Ian Drayton and
Graeme O’Neill. The trio had a good race with riders holding a good tempo and swapping out the lead in
an orderly fashion. The pace stepped up as the trio approached the bell lap. Ian and Phil lunched at this
point with Graeme out of the saddle, pursuing doggedly and doing better than last week. Over the final
lap Ian and Phil pulled out a 10 metre gap on Graeme and competed in a close sprint to the line. This
week, Phil gained the win by half a wheel over Ian. Graeme held on for third place.
The second event was a 200 metre flying start, time trial – a popular event with most riders. All riders had
a good technique for this event. The A grade times were all under 15 seconds. Best times were Hamish
Anderson (13.41s), Steve Jones (13.53s) John Paul De Sousa and Wayne Benham (both 14.45s). B
Grade times were respectable with Phil Coulton (16.00s), Graeme O’Neill (16.56s) and Ian Drayton
(16.80s).
Third event for the evening was a 2-Lap handicap, all-in, with nine starters. The handicapper could not
achieve perfection at this early stage of the season. However, it was an exciting race to watch. Ian
Drayton led out from the limit mark and put in a great ride to hold off all but one of the pursuers. Ian
looked like he suffered for the effort. The excitement was generated by a spirited pursuit from Hamish
Anderson, Wayne Benham and Sarah Stephens. Hamish was rewarded with the win. Ian Drayton took
second place with Wayne and Sarah third and fourth respectively.
The evening’s racing closed with the usual Italian Pursuit. Each team had five riders. The race was neck
and neck for the first three riders. After that, Team 2 pulled ahead with its anchor rider Conan Liu
finishing around 10 metres ahead of Team 1’s Steve Jones.
Major place getters were as follows:
8-Lap Scratch: (A1 Grade) Steve Jones, Conan Liu, John Paul De Sousa. (A2 Grade) Hamish Anderson,
Craig Kentwell, Sarah Stephens. (B Grade) Phil Coulton, Ian Drayton, Graeme O’Neill.
200m-Fly: (A1 Grade) Steve Jones (13.53s), John Paul De Sousa (14.45s) Conan Liu (14.68s). (A2
Grade) Hamish Anderson (13.41s), Wayne Benham (14.45s), Craig Kentwell (14.69s). (B Grade) Phil Coulton (16.00s), Graeme O’Neill (16.56s), Ian Drayton (16.80s).
2-lap Handicap (A&B Grades): Hamish Anderson, Ian Drayton, Wayne Benham, Sarah Stephens, Steve
Jones.
Combined Italian Pursuit: Winner Team 2 (John Paul De Sousa, Conan Liu, Sarah Stephens, Ian
Drayton, Phil Coulton).
Season Point Score:
Hamish Anderson (41), Phil Coulton (39), Ian Drayton (37), Conan Liu (36), Sarah Stephens (33), Steve
Jones (32), Graeme O’Neill (30), Wayne Benham (29), Craig Kentwell (26), John Paul De Sousa (17),
Warwick Wilson (14), Alison Hale (13),
Major place getters were as follows:
8-Lap Scratch: (A1 Grade) Steve Jones, Conan Liu. (A2 Grade) Alison Hale, Hamish Anderson, Sarah
Stephens. (B Grade) Ian Drayton, Phil Coulton, Graeme O’Neill.
1-Lap SS TT: (A1 Grade) Conan Liu (30.80s). (A2 Grade) Sarah Stephens (28.90s), Hamish Anderson
(29.02s), Wayne Benham (29.83s). (B Grade) Phil Coulton (32.22s), Graeme O’Neill (34.34s), Ian
Drayton (34.53s).
Combined Italian Pursuit: Winner Team 2 (Conan Liu, Hamish Anderson, Wayne Benham, Craig
Kentwell, Phil Coulton).
Graeme O’Neill
CRMCC at 2024 Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii
Club member Lance Purdon competed at the 2024 Ironman World Champs on the Hawaiian island of Kona this past Sunday (AU time).
Lance raced in the M50-54 category where he swam 3.8km in 1 hour 40 mins 9 seconds, rode the 180km bike leg in 6:45:27 and ran the marathon in 4:54:52 for a total time of 13 hours, 40 minutes and 30 seconds.
What a thrill to race on the same course as the elite athletes in the same sport on the same day.
Lance told the Bleat he had pulled up a lot better than he thought he would have. He will rest and recover for four nights in Honolulu.
Handicapper’s hammer
Luka Manson B to A
Rob Langridge – handicapper
Upcoming races needing volunteers
26 November 2024 – SFP criterium
Race director
10 December 2024 – SFP crit
Race director
2025
14 Jan 2025 – SFP crit
Race director
21 Jan 2025 – SFP crit
Race director
4 Feb 2025 – SFP crit
Race director
11 Feb 2025 – SFP crit
Race director
18 Feb 2025 – SFP crit
Race director (club championships)
25 Feb 2025 – SFP crit
Race director
11 Mar 2025 – SFP crit
Race director, marshal
18 Mar 2025 – SFP crit
Race director, marshal
25 Mar 2025 – SFP crit
Race director, marshal
1 Apr 2025 – SFP crit
marshal
Please contact race.committee@crmcc.org.au if you can fill any of these roles for the club. Also look at the dates in the 2025 calendar where you could help the club. https://rms.crmcc.org.au/calendar
Thank you to those members who have offered their services to fill roles so our races are run.
