- Traffic Controller Training
- Lookout Hill Time Trial Sunday 29 March
- Next Race – Stromlo Crits
- NARRABUNDAH TRACK RACING
- Race Report – SFP Crits
- Race Report – Lookout Hill Road Race
- Upcoming races requiring volunteers – race calendar can be found here
Traffic Controller Training
Last chance to join the ETC Training!
Members, the club is desperately short of qualified event traffic controllers (ETCs) to help run our road racing program. We’re also seeking to expand our small pool of NSW-qualified ETCs. This would enable us to return to race at classic sites like Dog Trap Road, Gunning and Cooma.
If you’ve enjoyed racing with the club over the years, or if you’re a new member who wants to experience the joy of racing on the open road, please support us by volunteering to do the ETC course.
The club will pay for the costs of the course. You will receive a nationally-recognised qualification and new skills. Volunteering with the club as an ETC will also get you generous race credits.
At this stage, our course provider MBA (ACT)/Admire runs the course over three days during the week. However, if we have enough interest, we will seek to negotiate a weekend course so members do not have to take leave from work.
Please respond to committee@crmcc.org.au. Thanks to those who have already responded.
Lookout Hill Time Trial – Sunday 29 March 2026
Back to Lookout Hill we go! This time it is the race against the clock. Can you beat your Age Standard time? This is good preparation for the Age Standard Championship TT later in the year.
9am start. 20km Time Trial course. Two laps starting from Lookout Hill and heading 3.5km towards Tharwa, U turn, 5km back towards Point Hut, another U turn and then back to Lookout Hill.
There will be separate categories for Aero and Standard Road Bike (non-aero) setup. A standard road bike setup is: – Drop handlebars only (no aero bars or clip-ons) – No time trial or triathlon bikes – No disc wheels.
Google maps calls this Lambrigg’s Lookout, on Tidbinbilla Road about 2.5 km towards Tharwa from Point Hut / Tidbinbilla Rd intersection (or about 4.5 km from Tharwa village).
Enter via the Calendar: https://rms.crmcc.org.au/calendar
Next Race – Crits at Stromlo Forest Park – Tuesday 24 March 2026
Please note, the D/E/F/G timeslot 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.
FINAL NARRABUNDAH TRACK SESSION – THURSDAY 26 MARCH, 5.30 PM
The Program for Thursday is as follows:
5.30pm – 6.00pm: Warm-up and free practice.
6.00pm – 6.20pm: Italian pursuit.
6.20pm – 7.30pm: Award presentations and season celebration.
The competitive track season concluded last Thursday (19 March). Next Thursday (26 March) will be a
presentation session. Bring your bike as there will be the normal warm up starting at 5.30pm followed by
a single Italian Pursuit race at 6.00pm. After that, the award presentations and season celebration will
commence. The club will provide drinks and nibbles. If anyone wishes to bring a plate, that would be
appreciated.
The invitation to this event extends to current and former track riders, CRMCC club members and visitors.
You will be most welcome to attend. There is no charge for the evening.
Final Track Season Point Score:
John Paul De Sousa (273), Alison Hale (272), Ken Birch (245), Ben Davis (231), Phil Coulton (228),
Graeme O’Neill (180), Chris Chant (178), Sarah Stephens (143), Craig Kentwell (89), Jess Laws (85),
Dave Buckley (75), Ian Drayton (63), Frank O’Sullivan (61), Gavin Stephens (32), Paul Angelatos (18),
Conan Liu (15).
Final Omnium Championship Point Score
Ben Davis (19), Ken Birch (18), John Paul De Sousa (15), Chris Chant (10), Frank O’Sullivan (9), Phil
Coulton (9), Alison Hale (7), Sarah Stephens (6), Craig Kentwell (5), Graeme O’Neill (4).
Graeme O’Neill
Race Report – SFP Crits 17 March 2026
After threats of rain, we were treated to almost perfect conditions for Tuesday night’s racing, with
no wind and warm-ish, balmy conditions.
First races of the night were A and C Grades.
A Grade
This race started at a fast tempo. Heart rates increased even more on the first lap as some ducks
tried to join the race. Terry Moore was despatched to tell them they were not allowed, as they
were not entered on the system and were not on the start list. Not to mention the lack of official
race numbers! Back to the race, and Dan Lekhac launched attacks with about 12 and 8 minutes
remaining which were quickly brought back. We were then treated to a bunch sprint, with Ben
Morrison launching an ultra impressive effort to win by some distance, with Ross Goggin second
and Dan Lekhac a well deserved third.
B Grade
The start line instruction from the Race Director was simple. Stay upright! Some within this group
decided to push this simple instruction to the very limit. But first, the pace in this race was on
from the beginning. The combination of no wind, and lots of strong legs meant that nobody was
really able to get away initially. Finally, at about 13 minutes to go, Ed Pellegrino attacked and got
away. He was quickly bridged across to by Geoff Hinchcliffe, who then found himself off the front
alone, but not for long as Bruce Goodfellow and Nathan Rickerby bridged across. This was too
many off the front for the bunch to be comfortable with, and so they too were brought back. We
had further attacks from Andrew Murrell, Nathan Spillane and Dougal Robertson which were also
neutralised, and so it came to the sprint. This was won handily by Luke Philps, from Andrew
Murrell and Lewis Cressy. Immediately after the line Bruce Goodfellow and another rider had a bit
of a coming together which resulted in Bruce putting his heel into his own back wheel and
skidding for what seemed to be an eternity before finally coming to rest on the grass at the side of
the track. Much relief that nobody got seriously injured (apart from his back tyre!). And great work
to hold it up!
C Grade
This was a cracker of a race! After much start line discussion, there was NO immediate attack
from Dominic Romano (AKA The Dominator)! As this was possibly the first time in Vets racing
history that this has occurred, there was much conjecture among the throngs of spectators about
what was going on? Anyway, C grade proceeded at a quick and efficient pace until about 7
minutes remained, when Marek Bilski got inspired by being passed by A grade to pick up the
pace and attack. This was a good attack and he stayed off the front until about 2 laps to go when
Mark Vardy attacked in impressive fashion. Was he going to be able to stay away? No! Because at
the bell The Dominator absolutely launched from the peloton to scorch around Vards and continue
on. What was going on, was the question from the crowd? The Dominator is attacking on the last
lap and not the first? And is he going to win? As the crowd shouted themselves hoarse he came
across the line in solitary splendour! Second was Simon Junakovic and third was Norris
Robertson.
D Grade
This race went at a solid, sensible pace until about 11 minutes remained when David Gunther and
Al Bontjer attacked. Like every other attack on the night this was brought back and all remained
calm until 2 laps to go when Nick Boylan had a dig. Brought back, and then the sprint. Who
comes across the line with a commanding lead but Rob Langridge! Easily in first, with Peta Brill a
very nice second and David Gunther in third. This result places huge pressure on the handicapper
to promote this Langridge fellow. We shall watch with interest as to what eventuates!
E Grade
This race was not without its difficulties for all concerned. Due to an unfortunate mistake with the
start times listed being “ambiguous”, some (if not all) of the field had arrived in time for the first
round of races, not the last. Apologies from the club for that. Despite that, we still lost Rico Fitch
before the start, and then Jonathon Chowns had a puncture to repair as everyone was lining up.
Jonathon got a spare wheel from fellow competitor Phillip Martin, who couldn’t start because of a
separate mechanical, and we were underway! All was calm until three laps to go when David
Johnson attacked and got a good gap. He appeared uncertain whether to go on with it, but the
bunch looked equally uncertain about whether to chase. The nexus was broken when Rico Fitch
counter attacked and it all came together at the bell. After a frantic last few laps the sprint came
down to a photo finish between Jonathon Chowns and Robert Solomon. As there was no actual
photo, it was more of an honour system where Robert acknowledged that he hadn’t quite beaten
Jonathon. Very close behind was Raeleigh Rogers with a very nice third.
F Grade
Our only starter in F grade was Lindsay Graham, who started out with E grade and had a very
smooth ride.
I would like to thank Krusty Bryant for his work as the start line volunteer and Terry Moore in her
unofficial role as Chief Duck Negotiator. Also thank you to Matt Sainsbery, our first aider who did a
great job of looking after Bruce Goodfellow after his exciting moment.
A huge thank you to Ian Hutchings, who very kindly arrived before everybody and had already
done all the setup. He then very patiently guided the idiot race director through what to do. Very
much appreciated Ian.
Mark Harris – Race Director
Photos thanks to Ian Hutchings
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18D3MM5V8y
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Lookout Hill Road Race Report 22 March 2026
The air was crisp, the sun was golden, and the tarmac of southern Canberra was calling for the first road race of the year. We had an epic turnout of nearly 60 riders. The puncheurs were salivating at the sight of Il Poggio del Belvedere (Lookout Hill), it was going to be an autumn classic.
A grade sped through their first lap. Anthony Murfett launched a brutal scatto on the first ascent, putting the bunch into the pain cave and getting a gap which he maintained through to the next lap. Bradley Peppinck then channelled his inner Nibali, diving down the descent to distance the bunch. In the finale Chris Murphy took the win followed closely by Tristan Dimmock and Matt McAuliffe.
B grade made a rapid start, nipping at the heels of A grade on their first lap. Tristan Fuge and Todd Sowter were pushing the pace on the first lap up Lookout Hill. The bunch lapped quickly but stuck together – despite the hammers being dropped, the gruppo compatto refused to splinter. It became a tactical chess match on wheels. Into the last lap, Lewis Cressy was on the front hammering down the hill, and as the bunch reappeared for the finish he was still at the front. Lewis took first place, Gerard Tiffen second and Todd Sowter third in a highly contested bunch sprint.
C Grade lapped at pace, with numerous attacks and surges but no one managed to escape the gravity of the massive bunch. The pace picked up on the final lap, and as riders sprinted up the hill, Mark Cantrill took the palmarès followed by Brent Holgate and Andrew Hislop.
D Grade bunch quickly broke apart during the race. Andrew Remley and Katie Gregory went off the front and lapped together for most of the race. The back of the bunch fractured and saw two DNFs. Daniel Smith was caught in Terra di Nessuno (No Man’s Land), a heroic solo bridge attempt that eventually saw the leaders re-absorbed before the Poggio delivered its final verdict. Katie rode away from the others to take the win on the hill, Daniel Smith scored second, and Andrew Remley wrapped up the minor placings.
E Grade had a nice bunch ride for the first lap, then as David Gunther pushed the pace up the hill the bunch started to crumble like a Savoiardi. As their race progressed, the bunch spread out. On the finish line Michael Reppion scored first place, Russell Marston was second and Stuart Carling third.
F Grade saw our solo gladiator, Polly Templeton. She started with E grade and held their wheels for the first lap, but then she relented going on to complete a two lap individual time trial to finish first in F grade.
Thank you to the riders for the huge turnout today and great support for the club (and sorry we forgot about hot water for the ristrettos and espressos). Thank you to the race committee for organising today’s race and wrangling volunteers.
Thank you to Terry Moore and Steve Simms for controlling the traffic, Dan Lekhac for marshalling, Peta Brill for driving the van, Ryan Fawke for first aid (thankfully not required), Michael Fawke for assisting with the course and escorting the race, and Ian Hutchings for his awesome photos.
Grazie
Craig Lindenmayer (Race Director)
Photos thanks to Ian Hutchings
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Upcoming races needing volunteers
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.
CRMCC Committee
President – David Parker
Vice President – Dave Buckley
Secretary – Michael Fawke
Treasurer – Mark Vardy
Handicapper – Rob Langridge
E-mail committee@crmcc.org.au
