• From the desk of the President
  • Crits check-in system at SFP
  • Next Crit Race on 25 Feb from 5.50pm
  • Narrabundah Track Racing – Thurs 27 Feb 5.30pm
  • Next Road Race – Mount Tennent Terror Sun 2 Mar 9am
  • Track race report for 20 Feb – Graeme O’Neill
  • Club Crit Champ – Race Report – Ben Davis
  • Upcoming races requiring volunteers – race calendar can be found here

From the desk of the President

Well before the 2024 Committee wrapped up its business, we had been planning on a single night of criterium club championships for all age groups in a departure from past seasons where it was held over a fortnight of Tuesday evenings. I am happy to report back that Race Director Ben Davis, marshals Wayne Benham and Nick Boylan, and recently retired committee member Ed Logue put 74 riders across 13 age groups safely through their paces before the night swallowed us up. Commemorative fridge magnets were bestowed on some podium winners while the rest will have to wait until the remaining order arrives due to a mix up in their factory. Thank you to all of the volunteers, and committee members (David Buckley, Rob Langridge) for making it happen. Thank you to Ian Hutchings for the great photos and for opening up early.

It has been a busy start to the 2025 calendar year as we have already put on 9 crits, 6 track sessions and 1 road race, and we are hoping to be able to host our first handicap race this Sunday, on the Mt Tennent Terror course, but we are lacking a Race Director and an ETC and may need to cancel the race if we do not have enough resources to staff it. I do acknowledge it is in the middle of a long weekend. Please get in contact with us immediately at committee@crmcc.org.au if you can help out. We will also need a minimum of 20 riders to register to commit to its scheduling.

The club will be acknowledging and honouring International Women’s Day on Sat 8 March, by offering a free participation ride only for women from 7am to 10am at the Sutton Driver Training Centre. Female club members can register via https://rms.crmcc.org.au/calendar?5026033. We are also opening this free participation event up to other women outside of the club, if they sign up for a single use trial licence https://capitalregionmasterscyclingclub.org.au/crmcc-trial-ride-form/ to ensure that our membership and the participants are fully covered by insurance. Cycling coach Cheryl Hulskamp will be on hand to lead laps around the SDTC parcours, and offer tips and pointers along the way. A light morning tea will be offered. Participants need not attend the full 3 hours, and you can show up at any time but you will only be allowed to enter the track in synch with the revolution of the bunch. As per our usual arrangement with SDTC, instead of payment, we will make a donation to a charity in their name, and on this occasion will choose one which specifically targets women as the benefactor.

Conan

CRMCC President

Crits check-in system at SFP

Effective from Tuesday 4 February, we are implementing a criterium check-in system at SFP, so that registered riders can place a tick mark in front of their name on a registered rider start list to indicate they have arrived at the SFP track.

  • This registered rider start list will be placed on a clipboard, next to the fence, adjacent to the timing board. It will be retrieved and used by the RD to speed up the efficiency of the entry chute rollout.
  • These ‘checked-in riders’ will then be called to roll on to the track one-by-one in ascending numerical race order, like ‘priority boarding’. You can help make the process more efficient by assembling behind the race number ahead of you in your grade.
  • During the entry-chute rollout, your race number will be checked against the registered rider list.
  • If you arrive after entry chute roll-out, and prior to the start of the race, you will need to verbally check-in with either the RD or marshal during the safety briefing.
  • Unregistered riders will not be permitted to race.
  • Riders without a valid race number will not be permitted to race.
  • Registered riders arriving late to the track may be permitted to race subject to the RD’s discretion.
  • Your cooperation to help implement this step, means that only financial members who have registered for the race are competing on the SFP track, and that our insurance coverage is not compromised
  • Committee members will be on hand to help provide guidance.

Summer evening Criterium series – Tuesday 25 February

Cost is $10. Those members with the 2024/25 summer crit pass, you will just have to enter your race number.

To register here, https://rms.crmcc.org.au/calendar

Registration cut-off is 1250 on Tuesday, 25 February.

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.

Switch race entry:
In the event of rain or another event, the members who have paid $10 to enter and decide to not race, those riders have to send an email to committee@crmcc.org.au before their race starts, where they would like to transfer their $10 with their name and race number, and the date to which they want the credit transferred.
Such requests via Facebook will be ignored.

Race Committee

Narrabundah Track Racing – Thursday 27 February, 5:30PM

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: 200 Fly (Omnium Event 3).
6.50pm – 7.10pm: 2-lap handicap.
7.10pm – 7.30pm: 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.
New or returning club members who wish to ease their way into track racing may do the just the warm-up
and a single event at nil cost for the session. Just show up at the Narrabundah track by 5.30pm.

Graeme O’Neill

NEXT ROAD RACE – MOUNT TENNENT TERROR SUNDAY MAR 2, 9AM

Handicap – F & A Tonelli Trophy

Course is from Smith’s Road, over Mt Tennant spur to Apollo Road and return. 2 Laps

Register here https://rms.crmcc.org.au/calendar

TRACK RACING REPORT- THURSDAY 20 FEBRUARY

Thursday 20 February saw the sixteenth track racing session for 2024-25. There are only four
competitive sessions left for this season. Conditions at the Bundadome were hot with a strong headwind
in the back straight and first turn. Attendance, seven riders, was a low turnout.
The 8-lap A grade scratch race had a field of four starters. The race commenced with Craig Kentwell
leading out at an easy tempo. Ben Davis took over from Craig on lap 2 and maintained the easy pace.
On lap 3, Conan Liu rolled to the front and upped the pace a notch. Further lead outs by Hamish
Anderson and Craig Kentwell saw some feigned attacks that kept the tempo up. By lap 7, the pack was
tightly bunched and anticipating an attack. Conan Liu soon obliged taking Hamish Anderson in his wake.
The final sprint was a tight contest with Conan just taking the contest by a head. Craig Kentwell held out
Ben Davis for third place.
The 8-lap B grade scratch race had a field of three starters. The race unfolded largely to the recent
script. Ken Birch, Phil Coulton and Graeme O’Neill took orderly turns on the front up until lap 7 when the
pace lifted. Phil Coulton is in good form this season and soon took the lead and win with Ken and
Graeme following in that order.
The evening’s second event was a series of 2-lap, paired match races. The first two of these were great
contests. Hamish Anderson put in a good effort against Conan Liu and only lost by a small margin due to
the tactical error of going too early. Ben Davis had a great contest against Craig Kentwell and surprised
Craig by gaining an early gap and holding it to the line. The winning margin was miniscule. The B grade
match race had the trio Phil Coulton, Ken Birch and Graeme O’Neill. Phil won easily leaving Ken and
Graeme trailing in that order.
The scheduled third event was a 4-lap combined A&B grade handicap. However, with the low numbers,
there was little enthusiasm for this event and riders elected to conclude the session with the usual Italian
pursuit.
The pursuit was interesting as Team 1’s second rider pulled out of a cleat, initially compromising their
effort. Team 1’s anchor, Conan Liu, soon recovered the initiative by closing out the race over two laps
and crossing the line first. If strict UCI rules were followed, Team 1 would be disqualified. However, the
commissaire decided that for club events, it is better that teams don’t give up if they have a mishap.
Thus, the contest was awarded to Team 1.
Major place getters were as follows:
8-Lap Scratch: (A1 Grade) Conan Liu (A2 Grade) Hamish Anderson, Craig Kentwell, Ben Davis (B
Grade) Phil Coulton, Ken Birch, Graeme O’Neill.
2-Lap, Paired Match Race: (A Grade) Conan Liu d Hamish Anderson, Ben Davis d Craig Kentwell (B
grade) Phil Coulton d Ken Birch & Graeme O’Neill
Italian Pursuit: Winner Team 1 (Conan Liu, Ben Davis, Graeme O’Neill).
Season Point Score:
Hamish Anderson (303), Conan Liu (257), Graeme O’Neill (238), Phil Coulton (206), Ian Drayton (193),
Craig Kentwell (180), Sarah Stephens (139), Ken Birch (126), Steve Jones (124), Ben Davis (110), John
Paul De Sousa (108), Wayne Benham (100), Alison Hale (92), Warwick Wilson (67), Dave Buckley (16),
Paul Connor (16).
Omnium Point Score
Conan Liu (9), Hamish Anderson (8), Graeme O’Neill (7), Craig Kentwell (7), John Paul De Sousa (5),
Ben Davis (5), Phil Coulton (5), Sarah Stephens (4), Ken Birch (3), Alison Hale (2)

Club Crit Champs – Race Report

Clear windless blue skies greeted riders for the Age group championships at Stromlo. Having been a Race Director for this event in the past, it’s always interesting racing with some age groups being very close together, whilst others may have a spread of A grade through to E grade riders and it’s a question of either how long can some hold on for or when will the strongest rider attack. Overall we had a great night of racing with some very inspirational rides put in on the night.

Firstly I’d like to thank the marshals of Nick Boylan and Wayne Benham who helped keep track of the riders out on the course. The one thing about age group racing is every age group will split into groups and it becomes incredibly difficult to track who is in the lead, who is chasing and who has been lapped. Thankfully Nick and Wayne kept on eye on proceedings and were able to track almost everyone!.

Our ever reliable first aider in Ryan Fawke who thankfully wasn’t needed on the night. And Ian Hutchings who opened up and got things ready. Thankyou!

F2- A lone competitor in Kim Pederson. However, what we witnessed was one of the rides of the night. We started all the women at the same time. A few managed to hang onto Kim for the first few laps, but after a while Kim was all by herself and proceeded to put in a time trial effort showing that even when you are only racing yourself, it’s still worth it to test oneself.

F3- Another lone competitor in Vanessa Judge. Vanessa was one of the riders who managed to tack onto the back of the Pederson train for a few laps until it was time to disembark. However a very solid ride again for a lone competitor

F5- Peta Brill was the only racer to make up the F5 age group. Again, she rode with both Vanessa and Kim and showed why she is one of the top riders in the club by being able to hang with Kim the longest.

F6- Finally a match race. Alison Hale V Linda Stals. Linda was able to stick with the group for several laps until the gap got too much to close. For Alison who has had a horrid run of accidents this season, it was good to see her streak away for the win

F7- The final match-up of the night was Elizabeth Lowe V Terry Moore. This was a cracker of a race and some really good racing between the two with Elizabeth winning on the night.

M1- We started M1 and M2 off together as M1 had only 2 riders and M2 had 7. After a few mins, a Stuart Griffiths (M1) attack had splintered both groups with Stuart shrugging off his other competitor in M1 (Glen Goggin). Stuart continued to smash out the next 30 mins and heap pain into anyone who tried to stick with him. In the end Stuart won in a canter with Glen coming in 2nd.

M2- Was an interesting race with 4 riders managing to break away. Attacks and counter attacks was the order of the night. So much so, that we were finding it hard who was leading and who was chasing. In the end Kris McCreath showed a pair of clean heels to beat home Jason Irwin and Daniel Lekhac

M3- Just 5 riders in M3. They decided that the herd stays together and I suspect they hid themselves in amongst the myriad of other age groups out on the course. With 1 lap to go, 3 riders remained together and the sprint was on. Matt Pooley outsprinted Andrew McCosker with Mick Rose coming in 3rd.

M4-Biggest group of the night with 13 riders in attendance. 7 mins into the race, they were hammering past us at the finish line with the train in full effect. A break of 4 worked hard throughout the race and with a lap to go, it was in all play. Ben Morrison is always strong in the sprint and took out the win ahead of Rainer Wilton and Andrew Foster.

M5- 11 riders lined up for the start of M5. M5 is probably one of the strongest age groups with most of the riders also strong riders in A. Probably why I’m always happy to Race Direct as this is my age group! However 2 riders were determined from the start to ruin the parade with Dominic Romano and Mick Hanbury taking off from the start going long range. Was the chase group sweating after the lead got to be the length of the straight? It was not to be, as Hanbury went from Penthouse to the basement in the blink of an eye with the Dominator able to hold them off for a wee bit extra before being swallowed up and spat out. No sooner had this happened that Gerard Tiffen went on a solo break that proved to be the winning move. He did not let up out front and built up a lead that was never surrendered. Meanwhile the race for 2nd and 3rd was on in the final lap with Jeremy Gillman-Wells taking 2nd in a sprint just ahead of Steve Crispin in 3rd.

M6-11 riders in total. This was also an interesting race with the first few minutes being all rather civilised. Until Michael Fawke got a break and started putting out some serious power in front. Was anyone able to catch him? The chase group worked hard, but for several laps were not making an impact in the gap that Michael had built up. Then Stephen Blackburn was able to get clear air from the chase group and eat into Michael’s time gap. Soon it was Blackburn making the catch and powering past Michael for a very impressive win. However Michael Fawke was able to put in one of the rides of the night to hold onto 2nd place with El Presidente himself Conan Liu really wanting one of the fridge magnets coming in 3rd in a very close sprint.

M7- 8 riders in total, Sportsbet was showing Chris Short as the hot favourite for this age group. But was someone going to spoil the parade? Could it be John Paul De Sousa or the ever wily Rob Langridge? Tactics went out the door in this race as Short attacked 3 laps in and rode the rest of the race on his lonesome out the front.  Tony Rowley managed to squeeze home for 2nd with JP De Sousa in 3rd.

M8- A total of 10 riders. All eyes were on Mark Harris. Unfortunately no one got to see the front of his jersey all night and only ever saw the back of him as I think he lapped everyone but Ian Preston in the end. Owain Tilley got 3rd in a sprint

M9- Bruce McMillian V Rico Fitch match race with Bruce getting the edge this time to take the win ahead of Rico.

A final comment from me. We had some confusion at the start of the night with a group having booked the track up until 530pm. As we were trying to squeeze all age groups in on the same night we decided to bring racing forward to a start time of 520pm. Unfortunately, we failed to check the booking system because if we had of, we would have noticed the clash. This led to some not so subtle words thrown between some of our club members and the other group. Granted the leader of the other group could have chosen some kinder words, however we must all recognise that the track is a shared community facility. We don’t do ourselves or the reputation of the club any favours when things get a bit heated between other users. If there is a risk of this occurring again, remember that the officials on the night will sort it out. Riders should only be focused on their race prep.

Thanks

Ben Davis

Photos from Ian Hutchings:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18aYXLcyPV/?mibextid=wwXIfr

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/195ifrnb4f/?mibextid=wwXIfr

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EC2pUdebn/?mibextid=wwXIfr

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AMygyQPaw/?mibextid=wwXIfr

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1L87HZyXnf/?mibextid=wwXIfr

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14rgaJsodX/?mibextid=wwXIfr


Upcoming races needing volunteers

2025
2 Mar 2025 – Smiths/Naas Rd handicap
Race director, 1 ETCs

16 Mar 2025 – Dairy Road criterium – points race
Race director, van driver, first aid

5 Apr 2025 – Sutton Road Training Centre kermesse
Race director, van driver, first aid

26 Apr 2025 – The Apollo
Race director, 1 ETC, van driver, first aid

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 can run.