Masters,

Welcome to 2023. In this week’s Bleat;

•  2023 Registration

•  Racing this Week

•  Race Report

Ian Morton
thebleat@actvets.cc

2023 Registration

You should have received a registration notification from the Australian Veterans Cycling Council to renew your membership for 2023.

Please go to the AVCC website (Join a Club | Australian Veteran Cycling Council (australianmasterscycling.com) and follow the links.  

MEMBERS MUST ENSURE THEY ARE FULLY REGISTERED PRIOR TO COMMENCING RACING IN 2023 TO ENSURE INSURANCE COVERAGE.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR MEMBERS TURNING 80 OR WHO ARE OVER 80 YEARS OF AGE IN 2023 (BORN BEFORE 1st JANUARY 1944)

If you were born before 1st January 1944, you need to obtain written clearance from a medical practitioner and a letter from a club official confirming your ability to compete.  The medical clearance form is available on the AVCC’s website (Forms | Australian Veteran Cycling Council (australianmasterscycling.com)).The medical clearance and the letter from a club official should be emailed to the AVCC (treasurerAVCC@gmail.com) for forwarding to the insurer. 

Approval must be obtained from the insurer before you are covered by the insurance policy and permitted to compete in AVCC sanctioned events. This may take up to 14 days especially over the Christmas-New Year holidays.

RACING THIS WEEK:

Tuesday, 3rd January: Stromlo Criterium

Note: Registration required by 3 Jan 2023 3:50 pm.
Any requests for Grade changes should be sorted out with the Handicapper prior to registration.
Late entries may be considered in exceptional circumstances. Please email race.committee@actvets.cc

Where: Stromlo Forest Park

Race Description:
B/D  5:50  B 42m 2, D 38m 2
E/F/G  6:35  28 min 2
A/C  7:15  A 42m 2, C 38m 2
Sunset @ 8:22

Race Director: Paul Scherl
 Contact: Email: Paul.scherl@microsoft.com     Ph  0428 653 779

Marshals: Tony Sheehan

Thursday, 5th January: Track Racing

The Program for Thursday is;
5.30pm – 6.00pm:  Warm-up and free practice.
6.00pm – 6.20pm:  8-lap graded scratch race.
6.20pm – 6.50pm:  1-lap SS time trial.
6.50pm – 7.10pm:  2-lap handicap.
7.10pm– 7.30pm:  Italian Pursuit..

Sunday, 8th January – No Scheduled Race

RACE REPORTS:

Cotter Reserve, Time Trial – 18th December

After some teething problems initially because not everyone knew that the start point for this time trial has changed from previous years, we got under way (almost) on time.  24 riders had registered, although only 19 fronted up to the start line.  A Grade was sent off first at 30 second intervals, and Daniel Lekhac caught the 2 riders in front of him to finish in the fastest time, followed by Michael Rosser and then Jason Irwin one whole second in front of Paul Scherl.

B Grade had a close tussle with Craig Lindenmayer edging out Marc Vroomans by 5 seconds.

C Grade had 2 riders, with Ian Preston getting to the finish flag ahead of Kevin Wells.

D Grade was the biggest group but they were pretty well spread out, with Anthony Dick claiming the prize ahead of Andrew Hislop and David Hennessy.

There were no E Grade starters and Chris Copeland brought home the bacon in F Grade all by himself.

It’s a pity there were not more riders — while uphill time trials may not be everyone’s cup of tea, it’s an interesting course and the hills are relatively tame compared to some around Canberra.

Many thanks to the helpers on the day.  I was lucky indeed that Mick Donaldson (ETC) and Michael Golding (First Aid) had both directed/marshalled on this course last year, so knew that the course was different from the one I was familiar with and different from the way it was depicted in the approved plan.  And with Christophe Barbaret at the finish line and Paul Scherl driving the van, I could not have had a better band of marshals.

Lindsay Graham