- Crit Season 2026/27
- Track Racing
- Road Race – Old Federal Highway Sunday 08 November
- Ride for Mental Health & Suicide Prevention in honour of Penny
- Crits Race Report
- Track Racing Report
- Upcoming races requiring volunteers – race calendar can be found here
Crit Season 2026/27 – Round 005 Tuesday 03 November 2026
Round 005 tomorrow evening at Stromlo Forest Park! See you out there! Pricing information below for those who still need to sort that out. Any questions, contact the Committee committee@crmcc.org.au
Criterium Entry
This will be the third season where the season pass will be offered, with take up in previous years being quite strong. The strength of take up, along with the significant discount to a full season’s potential fees, has contributed to diluting the club’s revenue, necessitating the following changes.
The 2026/27 season pricing structure will be as follows:
- Single race entry – $12 per race
- Season Criterium Pass covering all standard Stromlo Criteriums – $156
These rates continue to represent very good value for money with 25 races planned for the season.
Volunteer Credits
The club’s ongoing success continues to rely on volunteers – without volunteers we can’t organise or run races.
By way of background, the club has used a financial incentive for members who volunteer for a number of years. The previous process was to offer a honorarium, which was generally not taken up by all volunteers, and therefore did not create a significant financial burden on the club.
Last year the club switched from offering the honorarium for volunteers to a race credits system which was automatically applied to members to use against any upcoming race entry fees. The system provided a token reward for the volunteer’s time in helping run races. In the first year operating the cost of this system has impacted the running costs of the club by more 50% more than the previous honorarium system ($2,000 in 2025 to $3,100 in 2026). This is largely due to a concentration of members volunteering who then are able to offset their race fees through credits. The key statistic on this issue is that only 60% of members who raced in the last 12 months have volunteered in that time.
The club will continue the race credits for the foreseeable future, however the amount per role will be adjusted. 1 credit will equal one standard race entry.
- For open road races, Race Directors, ETCs and van drivers will receive 4 credits each, and marshals 1 credit.
- For closed circuit races at SDTC, SFP, or Dairy Flat Road, Race Directors will receive 2 credits, van drivers (where required) will receive 4 credits, and marshals 1 credit.
Clubs like ours cannot operate successfully without the help of volunteers, and we encourage all members to meet the minimum volunteer commitment of 1 race per year to maintain your membership status in good standing. We are not unique in the challenges of getting volunteers in our sport, but as a committee we hope that the spirit of volunteerism can help the club thrive into the future.
NARRABUNDAH TRACK RACING – Thursday 05 November, 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: 1-lap screamer (flying start time trial).
6.50pm – 7.10pm: 4-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.
Regards,
Graeme O’Neill
Road Race – Old Federal Highway – Sunday 08 November
Come out for a NSW Road Race this Sunday morning 9am on Old Federal Highway
Always a favourite, this course starts at the “Gravel Pit” and proceeds out towards Lake George and back. A, B, C & D will complete 4 laps for 48km. E, F & G will complete 3 laps for 36km
We are finalising the volunteer roster this week. Keep an eye out on Facebook and for a Bleat reminder later in the week for final details.
Ride for Mental Health & Suicide Prevention in honour of Penny
Simon Porombka is organising a ride in honour of his daughter Penny. Penny passed away by suicide on the 18/8/26.
Join us as we come together as a community for a “Do it for Penny” ride to raise awareness and support for mental health and suicide prevention. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or simply looking to support a great cause, everyone is welcome.
When: Saturday, 21 November
Time: Meet at 8:30 AM
Meet Point: Car park at the end of Dairy Flat Road, Fyshwick
The Route
We’ll ride together along Majura Parkway and the Federal Highway before stopping at Sutton Bakery for a well-earned coffee and catch-up.
Distance & Turn-Around Options
The full return ride is approximately 50 km, but there’s no pressure to complete the entire distance. Multiple turn-around points along the route make this ride accessible for participants of all fitness and experience levels.
Mental health affects individuals, families and communities across Australia. By riding together, we can help raise awareness, start important conversations and show support for those who need it most.
If you think of someone, they may need you that day. Send them a text, make a phone call. It might make a difference for that person.
Put it in your calendar, invite your friends and family, and join us for a great morning on the bike in support of a cause that touches so many lives.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Donations are appreciated but not necessary – link below.
Race Report Crits
The fourth week of the club’s summer criterium series was held in coolish conditions
with a north westerly wind.
Grades D and E were first off the rank racing the Stromlo crit course in an anti-
clockwise direction.
D Grade
Jonathan Chowns was off the front where he had eight seconds on the peloton after
the first lap. The peloton eventually bridged Jonathan by the fourth lap, then the pace
was off. Chowns had another dig where he gained five seconds on the peloton
before the rest decided to chase.
Grant Johnston put in several digs off the front to animate the race but paid for his
efforts in the latter stages.
Chowns made an attack with one and a half laps left but the peloton was more alert
to this dig. In a sprint for the line Chowns was too strong for Brian Peak with Alex
Sommariva in third.
E Grade
E grade was less aggressive with their start before Ian Morton helped by Ross
Heazlewood and David Johnson created a small gap on the bunch. This was reeled
in around five minutes later.
Dave attacked on the bell lap to cross the lap with a sizeable gap to Ian and Rico
Fitch.
One of the E graders noted post-race that it was “so windy out there”.
B Grade
The pace was on from the start when B graded rolled off with Andrew Murrell, Nick
Wilson and James Watt driving it early on.
Julian Dohna joined the race on the second lap after a puncture during his warm-up
and a club member provided an inner-tube so he could race that night.
Kris Johnston, Geoff Hinchcliffe and Matt Pooley formed a splinter group yet the
bunch did not give them much room.
B Grade would regularly ride/attack on the grandstand side on the down straight as it
provided shelter from the north-westerly winds.
Leonard Pooley was the instigator of a few mini-attacks and also at keeping the pace
high where he would have won the combativity award for B that evening.
Nathan Rickerby created the biggest gap during B’s race through Collarbone Corner,
with Hinchcliffe on the front dragging the peloton back to Nathan.
The pace was kept high during the race with a few casualties including recently
promoted Mark Cantrill who had dominated the sprints in C grade this season.
Craig Lindenmayer found his attacking legs in the final ten minutes with several
efforts off the front as a part of his T100 training in late November but the bunch was
too solid to leave him alone up the track.
Paul Scherl attacked on the final back straight to create a gap but the peloton caught
him at the top as riders hit the sprint for the finish line. Leonard Pooley was first
across the line with Shawn Lewis second and Kris Johnson third.
C Grade
It would not be a C grade race without Ian Preston attacking from the start where he
was five seconds ahead of the bunch where Scott Bird led the charge to reel in
Presto. A regular sight on the night was Mark Vardy leading the C bunch. After
Mark’s turn Kurt Andrews attacked on the back straight with Dominic Romano, AKA
The Dominator, latching on.
Kurt and Dom slowly expanded their gap, despite a close encounter with a seagull
near the finish line.
Vardy was on the front with help from Todd Gregory and Andrew Remely trying to
reduce the gap to the leaders but the lead increased to 25 seconds. Kurt rode on the
front on the down straight while Dom led on the back straight.
Ian Preston’s wife summed up the Group two syndrome that was occurring in C –
“Are they out for a Sunday stroll…hurry up”
Bell lap where Dominator had a go out of the saddle on the back straight yet Kurt
stayed on his saddle and stuck to Dom’s wheel. They came around the final bend
where Kurt veered to the right and Dominator had no answer with the two winning by
around half a lap. Sean Hunt won the sprint for third ahead of Mark.
A Grade
A sedate start for A Grade where the bunch stayed together for around the first 10
minutes. Around half-way through the bunch was down to Steve Crispin, Matt
Rizzuto, Daniel Lekhac, Matt Corby, Jason Irwin, Toby Stewart and Matt Darling.
Irwin attempted an attack from the rear of the bunch, which nearly worked in a recent
race, but his competitors were quickly on him.
Around ten minutes left Rizzuto has a crack on the right side with Crispy on his
wheel and Stewart in tow. Crispy then had a small attack at the start of the next lap
but Irwin chase him down.
The pace lifted when the bell was rung and as the riders hit the finishing straight
Rizzuto was too quick for the win, Stewart second and Crispy third.
Many thanks to Mark Harris for marshalling, Ryan Fawke for his timekeeping,
Michael Fawke on roo duty and Matt Sainsbery for first aid – thankfully not required.
Ed Logue – Race Director
Track Racing Report
Thursday 29 October saw the third track racing session for the 2026-27 season. The weather was warm
with light wind – ideal for racing. Attendance (11 riders) continued to improve.
The session races and place getters were as follows:
8-Lap Scratch: (A Grade) John Paul De Sousa, Alison Hale, Sarah Stephens. (B Grade) Frank
O’Sullivan, Phil Coulton, Ken Birch.
1-Lap Standing Start TT: (A1 Grade) John Paul De Sousa (29.78s), (A2 Grade) Sarah Stephens (28.44s),
Chris Chant (28.76s), James Newhouse (30.55s). (B Grade) Frank O’Sullivan (30.08s), Phil Coulton
(32.50s), Ken Birch (34.48s).
2-Lap Handicap: Frank O’Sullivan. Ken Birch, Ben Davis, Sarah Stephens, Chris Chant.
Combined Italian Pursuit: Winner Team 2 (Sarah Stephens, Alison Hale, Ben Davis, Ken Birch).
Season Point Score:
Sarah Stephens (60), Ken Birch (56), Alison Hale (51), Phil Coulton (51), Graeme O’Neill (43), Frank
O’Sullivan (40), Chris Chant (39), John Paul De Sousa (39), Ben Davis (38), David Wilkinson (31), James
Newhouse (29).
The following audio files are Michael Langdon’s commentary on the scratch races, handicap and Italian
pursuit.
A grade
B grade
2 Lap HC
Italian Pursuit
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. https://rms.crmcc.org.au/calendar
CRMCC Committee
President – David Parker
Vice President – Dave Buckley
Secretary – Michael Fawke
Treasurer – Mark Vardy
Handicapper – Rob Langridge
E-mail committee@crmcc.org.au
