- From the Desk of the President
- Next Race – Stromlo Crits
- Downtube Shifter Derby
- Reduced Price Membership
- NARRABUNDAH TRACK RACING
- Race Report – Stromlo Crits
- Race Report – Track Racing
- Road Race Report – Old Federal Highway
- Upcoming races requiring volunteers – race calendar can be found here
From the Desk of the President
Dear members
The club rallied to host our return to the gravel pit race course on Sunday, holding our first graded scratch race there since 2022.
On behalf of the membership, I would like to thank Race Director Owain Tilley, and Commissaire Bill Walker, ETCs Rob, Brian, Michael, Kim, van driver Paul, and lead and follow cars Kerrie and Linda. Behind the scenes, we thank Chris Short for liaising between the Hume Command of NSW Police and the Yass Council to secure the approvals needed to run the race.
We received a lot of positive feedback from the riders involved, so I undertook to pass this on to all involved who led to its success.
Also, I thought I would share with you, the one response we received to the 50 letters which I dropped to the residents of Hadlow Drive:
“Many thanks for the great communication in the form of your flyer for your cycling event. We really appreciate the comms you put out for your events.
This is a good baseline that other clubs should adopt when using small country roads for events like this.”
We met tonight as a committee and here’s dot point summary:
- We shall hear about new membership fees soon, around mid-December, and if they will be going up as set by the national committee. We are going to try to keep the club component the same, but we may see cost increases to each event up from $10 to $11.
- The committee is working to re-grade the whole crit-competing membership, and we hope to have the new gradings published by Mon 8 December, digitally and posted up at SFP for consultation before they are implemented for the first crit back on Tuesday 6 January 2026.
- Commencing immediately, we are no longer allowing riders to start late for a race while the pack has set off. You must be present for the safety briefing and must be at the start line to roll away with the bunch. This will make the volunteers’ jobs simpler on the night. If you don’t make it on time, you will get a DNS, and be credited with your race fee.
- We are also enforcing that you will not be able to ride up or down a grade in crits unless prior arrangement with the handicapper or a committee member. This cannot be done ad hoc on the afternoon or evening of the criterium.
- The committee will meet one last time on Sunday 4 January, before the Annual General Meeting in February, at which the committee will disband, with all positions declared open. The new committee will hopefully form from a new generation of enthusiastic leaders.
Conan
CRMCC President
Next Race – Crits at Stromlo Forest Park – Tuesday 02 December 2025
Please note, 5:40PM also holds the Women’s specific criterium grade (20mins) to foster participation and confidence in riding on the Stromlo Forest Park criterium track. Perfect for women and non-binary riders who are looking for an introductory ride or those that prefer cycling in a smaller group.
Race registration cut-off is 12:40pm. 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 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.
All riders are required to sign on before their race start.
We will be running an entry chute, where riders are called 1 by 1 onto the circuit in numerical order of sign-on.
Please remember to check the RMS Calendar for race times each week now that we are back to rotating all 3 time slots.
Downtube Shifter Derby
Steel bike aficionados mark 9 December on the calendar for the Downtube Shifter Derby!
This race will be a criterium for bikes with downtube shifters. Members are welcome to convert carbon bikes to use such shifters but will be interviewed by healthcare professionals after the race. The derby will be 15 minutes plus one lap starting at 1720. We’ll start off together and do two ceremonial laps before the hostilities begin. Riders must wear an approved helmet, have a roadworthy bike and wear non-arse-crack revealing kit. Old jerseys and knicks are most welcome. Barrel-draw prizes afterwards. Crit pass holders need to nominate by emailing committee@crmcc.org.au.
Date: 9 December
Time: 1720
Duration: 15 minutes plus one lap.
Rules: Must ride bike with downtube shifters
Rob Langridge
Club handicapper
Reduced Price Membership
Now available, reduced priced racing membership of $99 (same price as last year) for those new or renewing members wishing to join us financially for racing up to and including the Christmas criterium wheel race qualifier on 16 December 2025, or the equivalent track wheel race on 18 December 2025.
NARRABUNDAH TRACK RACING – THURSDAY 04 December, 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: 200m fly.
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?5021932
Each race will cost $10, or purchase the season track pass at $80.
Race Report – Stromlo Crits – 25 November 2025
The evening started out with D and E grades starting out in windy conditions.
E grade made a steady start with Rico Fitch, Bruce Griffin and Chris Copeland all
sharing turns in the early stages. The pleasantries ended in the final laps however,
with Rico Fitch making a strong push and opening a small break. He was soon
joined Chris Copeland and the two battled it out with Rico taking line honours
followed by Chris and Bruce in 3 rd .
D grade made a similar steady start with the windy conditions keeping everyone in
check for the first 20 minutes. The D grade pack included a new comer, Ben
Harding, who was undertaking his 1 st ever race with very fat tyred bike. The
marshals observed Ben to look very fit and with 17 minutes to go he tried his luck on
the front and dealt out some punishment for 2 laps. Not to be out done Martin Boyd
then made a push out front followed by Kevin Newhouse. The sprint came down to
David Gunther, who passed Ben Harding on the approach to the finish line, with Tony
Sheehan taking 3 rd .
A & C then went out with the wind still fairly strong.
A grade started fairly hot with a single file formation. Jason Irwin launched the first
attack and managed to stay out for quite a few laps. The pack seemed to have
Jason’s effort in check and reeled him back around the 29 minute mark. The pack
then jostled for a lap or so before slowing to a side by side formation and taking a
break with around 26 minutes to go. Daniel Lekhac then tried an attack but the
bunch went back to single file in chase. Next Steve Crispin and Jason Irwin tried
their luck, followed by Mark Terracini making a strong effort, but being caught at the
9 minute mark. Tristian Dimmock then tried his luck but was reeled in with 4 minutes
to go. In the end it was Ben Morrison taking line honours with Chris Murphy in 2 nd
and John Forest in 3 rd .
C grade started with the cyclin Coop colours out front. They we briefly joined by
Charles Black and Mark Vardy. The pack then re-formed and took a break form
hostilities, passing the marshalling area in full conversation mode. Mick Handbury
then ended the peace with an attack and was soon joined by Lance Purdon. Mick
and Lance stayed away for several laps but were eventually caught around the 24
minute mark. Claire Aubrey and Mark Vardy then tried their luck but the pack
chased them down after only one lap. The pack then stayed fairly steady with Mark
Vardy staying on, or close to the front most of the time. Mick Handbury also showed
some interest as did Todd Gregory.
In the end it was Lance Purdon taking 1 st with Charles Black in 2 nd and Craig O’Neall
in 3 rd . Mark Vardy taking the most competitive.
Last up was B grade with Dom Romano pulling his signature ‘110% blast of the start’
move. Dom was soon joined by Rowan McMurray, however the pack seemed
relaxed having seen these tactics once or twice before. After catching the early
break, Dougal Robertson then attacked on his own. The pack then re-formed and
took a side by side break for a few laps before Geof Hinchcliffe and Chris Williams
took off with the pack chasing in single file again. With about 20 minutes to go Kim
Pedersen tried launched an attack and was soon joined by Paul Scherl, Dougal
Robertson and Blake Fretwell. This 4 person break looked organised and got out to
around 250m. Blake Fretwell went back to the main bunch and the pack were
watching but not chasing too hard. At the 10 minute mark Andrew McCosker,
Nathan Rickerby and Christophe Barberet started the serious chase with the pack
making major inroads before coming back together with 8 minutes to go. It was
steady from there until the final lap with Paul Scherl taking 1 st followed by Nathan
Rickerby and Alexander Gorringe in 3 rd .
Tony Rowley – Race Director
Photos thanks to Ian Hutchings
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CyJbfSmWp
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ARey8CzTB
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KfPNRWzCQ
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Cbq73gEae
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ABYjkdctY
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1cNM5n7Foq
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HhxPjqNhs
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17Xye3pyPY
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14Mok6k6dNb
Race Report – Track Racing – 27 November
Thursday 27 November saw the seventh track racing session for the 2025-26 season. The weather was
excellent for track racing, sunny, moderate temperature and light head wind in the back straight.
Attendance (5 riders) was just adequate to run a full race program.
The session races and place getters were as follows:
8-Lap Scratch: (A Grade) John Paul De Sousa, Alison Hale, Jess Laws, Ben Davis. (B Grade) Graeme
O’Neill.
16-Lap Snowball (Points Race): (A Grade) Alison Hale (12) John Paul De Sousa (12), Ben Davis (6)
Italian Pursuit Winner: Team 2 (Jess Laws, Alison Hale, Ben Davis).
For Michael Langdon’s commentary on the races, click the following links:
A & B scratch race
Italian pursuit
Season Point Score:
Alison Hale (119), Graeme O’Neill (111), Phil Coulton (98), John Paul De Sousa (91), Ben Davis (82),
Jess Laws (76), Chris Chant (70), Dave Buckley (56), Ian Drayton (54), Ken Birch (52), Sarah Stephens
(45), Paul Angelatos (18).
Road Race – Old Federal Highway – Sunday 30 November
42 starters across 5 grades (A through to E). One of the biggest fields for a CRMCC road race for quite awhile.
The course from the Gravel Pit out to Lake George and back is approximately 12klms, with A,B and C grades completing it 4 times, and D and E grades 3 times. The course is challenging with a number of slow climbs and both tail and head winds. A course that rewards the rider willing to try a breakaway.
Weather conditions were sunny early but as the race progressed it got more and more overcast and windy – tailwind out to the Lake, and a stiff headwind back to the finish line. But the weather gods smiled on the racers – saving the little rain that did fall for when the race had finished.
A grade (9 riders) stayed together for the 1st lap, but by the second Jason Irwin had chanced his legs and had established a 30” lead over 6 chasers. By the completion of the 3rd lap Jason had been caught by the chasers and the race on the completion of the 4 laps came down to a fast finish between 5 riders, although there was no need for a photo as the top three finishers were seperated by clear gaps – Stuart Griffiths winner, Steve Crispin 2nd and Jason Irwin rewarded for his early breakaway effort with 3rd.
B grade (15 riders) saw an early breakaway attempt by Chris Murphy, who established a 2’ lead on the chasing bunch but was caught by the end of the 2nd lap. However at the end of the 3rd lap the grade had splintered with a leading bunch of 4 riders (Chris Murphy again, Christophe Barberet, Rowan McMurray and Mark Vroomans) establishing a 30” over a chasing bunch of 3 – Simon Costello, Geoff Hinchcliffe and Rosie Hurt. However the leading 4 held their lead over the 4th lap, and took out the top 4 positions – again quite clearly spaced to the finish line – Chris Murphy aptly rewarded with 1st for his early efforts, followed by Christophe, Rowan and Mark.
C grade had 7 starters. Ian Preston, Ben Healy and Andrew Matz very quickly stamped their authority on the race and by the end of the 1st lap had broken away and established a commanding break. By the end of the 2nd lap Andrew had been dropped and Ian and Ben had established a 90” lead over the chasing pack. The lead increased to 2’ by the end of the 3rd lap and they held that lead for the 4th lap. Ben took the win from Ian and Andrew took 3rd.
D grade (8 riders) stayed pretty much together for the whole race – with Kevin Newhouse making an early effort at the beginning of the second lap to breakaway but was reeled back in – a group of 5 contested the finale, the closest finish of the day, with the top spot going to Lance Pardon, followed by Ros Harper and the evergreen Nick Boylan getting 3rd ( Kevin Newhouse and Shirley-Anne Taylor came in for 4th and 5th)
E grade (3 riders) were together for each 3 completed laps but at the end Russell Marston was too strong for David Gunther (2nd) and Ian Morton snatching the last podium spot (3rd).
A big thanks to all the volunteers who made the race possible – Paul Scherl, Kim Malcolm, Mike McGurgan, Brian Peak, Kerrie Muir, Robert Langridge, Linda Stals, Michael Fawke, and our first aid officer Mathew Sainsbury and our Commissaire Bill.
Owain Tilley – Race Director
Photos thanks to Ian Hutchings
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FiXBkYuJk
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1eY5wtSFKn
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DZyghBdPQ
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19sScM1b2o
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19yphycdH8
Upcoming races needing volunteers
We have multiple vacancies for race directors for SFP crits.
Please self-register as a volunteer, where you can put your name down against those roles marked ‘Vacant’ in this Google spreadsheet. We will follow-up and confirm your volunteering with an email from committee@crmcc.org.au
Thank you to those members who have offered their services to fill roles so our races can run.
