Capital Region Masters – Weekly Bleat, 21 October 2024

G’day Masters,
In this week’s Bleat

• From the desk of the President
  * Crits – membership office
  * Members – volunteer/race etiquette
  * Bowral – ETCs/racing in NSW
• Next Crit Race – summer evening criterium series – Tuesday 22 October
• Narrabundah Track Racing – Thursday 24 October, 5.30pm
• Next Road Race – Mt Tennent Terror graded scratch on Sunday 3 November
• Crits race report for 15 October – Craig Lindenmayer
• Track race report for 17 October – Graeme O’Neill
• Handicapper’s hammer
• Upcoming races requiring volunteers – race calendar can be found here
  

From the desk of the President

Dear members,

We are now into our third week of crits, and the crit season is well underway, with 150 riders participating in our first two weeks of racing, and 50 members taking advantage of and subscribing to our popular season crit pass.
If you have been holding off until now, this Tuesday’s race conditions are likely to be hot, in direct contrast to the previous two weeks. The season crit pass offers great value to our racing membership, and reduces registration burden for all involved. You can subscribe to this pass from our race calendar. 
If you are a pay-as-you-go crit-subscriber, then you must register and pay for each week’s race by the 12:50pm Tuesday deadline. This deadline takes into account that ‘race committee office’ or ‘membership office’ is not staffed 24/7, and that many members of the committee juggle work with race organisation, and that there is a manual element to renewing or inducting new members to the club, which is a common workflow at this time of year, and which will be a focus of the entire membership as we renew at the end of December for the 2025 calendar year.

This is a gentle reminder that we cannot run races without our volunteers, so thank you to all of those members who have responded to my emails and who have stepped up to offer their help either as a race director or a marshal for crits.
You, as a racing member, could make things easier and safer, by wearing your race number on your jersey, ensuring that you make the roll call and safety briefing (for insurance purposes), and that you go through the chute at the end so that we can record your participation. If you don’t go through the chute, then you will be recorded as lantern rouge. We need to record that you have participated in the race for insurance purposes, and so that we can continue to monitor the number of races you attend versus your one volunteer contribution to the club per calendar year, which will officially be enforced from 1 January 2025 as a condition of your membership.
Please ensure to pass other grades on the crit track safely, and treat other riders with respect, and conduct yourselves in an exemplary and sportsperson-like manner. You may recall that when you first started crit racing, you may have been intimidated by certain types of behaviour or riders in the bunch. Do your best as a club member to nurture new riders so that it is a safe, fun and inclusive experience for them.

Lastly, the official cancellation of the Bowral Classic over the weekend has ramifications for the whole cycling community. It shows that we rely on, and are at the mercy of traffic management control for approved road racing events, or mass participation events.
In order to run road races in NSW, we must utilise NSW-trained ETCs, and unfortunately, NSW does not recognise ACT-trained ETCs, even though ACT trained ETCs follow a national curriculum. The committee continues to look for solutions that would lead to NSW trained ETCs to run our races in NSW, including the popular gravel pit/LG Shingle Hill course, and of course Gunning/Breadalbane.
The lesson I think we can learn from the Bowral cancellation, is that even if we outsource event traffic control and pay for it, we are reliant on the effective communication with the service provider to show up on the correct day and time. For those of you who contested our 2022 road race championships on our Mountain Creek Road NSW course, you will of course remember that our contracted traffic management provider didn’t show up to the correct location, causing a significant delay to the start of that race. This shows to me, that if even if we pay for traffic management services, it doesn’t mean we get club value from that transaction.
I remain committed to looking at how we can train our members in a NSW recognised ETC course, so that our own members can provide this service from within our own community, while offering honorariums and upskilling our ‘volunteer workforce’. I will continue to pursue this agenda with the committee if re-elected as your President in 2025.

Conan

CRMCC President

Summer evening criterium series week 3 – Tuesday 22 October

Race director Christophe Barberet, marshal Bryan Holloway
Bell for the final lap.

Those members that are in two minds about registering due to the weather forecast can sign up early, and if the conditions are still poor so that they won’t race, can send an email to committee@crmcc.org.au to request their single race entry to be transferred to the following week.

Race registration cut-off is Tuesday 22th October at 12.50pm. 
Cost is $10 for a single race or $160 for a season pass.
You need to register by looking up the calendar entry in the RMS https://rms.crmcc.org.au/calendar?5021176

Late registrations 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.

The club is offering a season pass for $160, which now covers 22 SFP crit races concluding on Tuesday 1 April 2025, contingent upon your renewal as a fully paid financial member from 1 Jan 2025 (once we know the amount set by the national committee).
You will need to participate in 16 crits to break even. There are nine SFP crits left in the 2024 calendar year. The season crit pass covers the Christmas wheel race, and also the Club Criterium championships on Tuesday 18 February 2025.
NOTE – the registration cut-off this season will be at 12.50pm on the Tuesday of the crit.

Our wonderful snapper, Ian Hutchings – on ‘Roo patrol during B grade on 15 October.

Narrabundah Track Racing

NARRABUNDAH TRACK RACING – THURSDAY 24 OCTOBER, 5.30 PM
The season’s second track racing session is scheduled for this Thursday.
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?5021918 , where each race
will cost $10, or purchase the season track pass at $80. We have decided to substantially reduce
the cost of this year’s season’s pass to return value to members, and to incentivise participation.
Any new or returning riders who wish to ease their way into track racing may do the just the
warm-up and the single, timed event (200m fly) at nil cost for the session. Just show up at the
Narrabundah track at 5.30pm.

Graeme O’Neill

Next road race – Mt Tennent Terror graded scratch on Sunday 3 November

Our last open road race of 2024 is an old faithful – a graded scratch race on the Mount Tennent course.
Riders will roll off from 9am on Sunday, 3 November.
The start and finish is near the intersection at Naas Road and Smiths Road, approximately two kilometres south of Tharwa.
One lap is racers will ride from the start along Naas Road, over Mt Tennent to the turnaround at the turn-off to Apollo Road, back over Mt Tennent with the run to the finish.
Grades A/B/C will race three laps for 54km in total while D/E/F/G will ride two laps for approximately 36km.

Cost is $10. Here is the link to register – https://rms.crmcc.org.au/calendar?5019062.
Registration cut-off is 5pm on Saturday, 2 November.

We require an ETC for the event. If you can fill the roll, please email race.committee@crmcc.org.au .
Race director – Shirley-Anne Taylor. ETCs – Brian Peak, vacant.
Marshal – Matt Rizzuto. Van driver – Owain Tilley.

Crits race report – 15 October 2024 – Craig Lindenmayer

Week two of the crit racing season saw everyone warmed up for a chilly overcast evening. A light breeze across the track would tease riders to make their attacks but the lack of anything stronger would not see Flemish echelons in any of the races and most attacks were thwarted.

B grade started proceedings with Kim Pedersen initiating an attack in the first lap and riding away from the bunch. Rowan McMurray followed and the pair rolled off three laps before they were joined by Chris Short and Darren Blackhurst. The quartet rolled turns with a few more bridging across to establish two groups – it almost looked like the break would stick. However, the prisoner’s dilemma struck both groups as they broke apart, and then everyone was all back together with five minutes to go. In the end it was a bunch sprint with Ben McDuff taking the win, followed by Todd Sowter and Mark Terracini.

D grade saw the bunch split early with some strong riding up the straight. The six riders out front struggled to coordinate their rolling turns, and things came back together with all riders in the peloton. The second half of the race saw the pace lift with riders being ejected out the back and riders going off the front. With the two laps to go sign coming out the bunch came back together to make it a sprint finish. Charles Black took his second win of the series (hope the handicapper isn’t watching), with Bryan Holloway in second and Kevin Newhouse in third.

E grade was a race of attrition with Bruce Griffin being ejected early on to have a solo ride. A few laps later Adrian Breen slipped off the back too and could not hook back on despite some solid efforts. Rico Fitch and Ian Drayton lapped together. At first they cooperatively swapped turns, but as the race progressed it switched to track racing style with Rico and Ian forcing each other to the front by weaving across the track. We expectantly watched for one of them to track stand but were left wanting. At the finish, Rico outsprinted Ian for the win, and Adrian finished third. 

A grade set a solid tempo from the start with the bunch stretching out yet staying together. Riders at the front pushed the pace with attempted attacks which were quickly neutralised. Late in the race Nathan Spillane went solo off the front with an attack that looked like it might stick, however, the bunch lifted the pace and reeled him back in. A flurry of attacks late in the race saw small breaks but it was a bunch sprint in the final lap with Ben Morrison taking first, Jeremy Gillman-Wells and Gerard Tiffen closely following for the placings.

C grade rolled away to rapidly fading light and Mick Hanbury sneaked away early looking for the win or promotion to B grade. Mick was soon reeled back in by the bunch, but he didn’t like sitting in the peloton so made another solo attack halfway through the race. The bunch held together until late in the race. As the pace started to lift James Watt went for the long range attack for the win. To make it five from five, James was brought back and the bunch came back together in time for a final sprint. Simon Porombka took line honours with Mick Hanbury in second and Lance Purdon third.

During the evening we saw some great racing, however, we also saw some behaviours in the bunch that need to improve. There was at least one near miss when riders in the faster passing bunch did not keep to their side of the track when overtaking the slower bunch. The riders in the fast bunch moved across the track in front of the slower bunch before all of the riders in their grade had passed. This saw faster riders who were following the wheels cutting off the slower riders. It is imperative that all faster riders stay to their side of the track until their bunch has completely passed the slower bunch. Hopefully no one will lose their sheep station, and we’ll all keep our skin and bikes intact. 

Thanks to marshal Dale Riley, Ryan Fawke for first aid and Ian Hutchings for opening and photos.

Craig Lindenmayer – Race Director

Links to photos, courtesy of Ian Hutchings, from last week’s criterium are here – https://www.facebook.com/share/p/gU9VCPS9oAwfv2Ez/ , https://www.facebook.com/share/p/HGJT4Y6HqDN8MwT7/ , https://www.facebook.com/share/p/hEsvVS4fEVN4Lt3j/ and https://www.facebook.com/share/p/dWqcE2hdndnYS7Jk/ .
and

Narrabundah track racing report – Thursday 17 October

Thursday 17 October saw the first track racing session for the 2024-25 season. The weather was perfect
for track racing – sunny, moderate temperature and only a light breeze. Attendance (11 riders) was
encouraging for the early season.

The 8-lap A grade scratch race had a good field of eight starters. This first race saw Alison Hale, Sarah
Stephens and Hamish Anderson promoted to A2 grade. The trio performed well and looked comfortable
in their new grade.
The race started with Warwick Wilson leading out at a comfortable tempo. The pace ramped up as different riders took the lead over the major portion of the race. By around lap five, the race
became quite tactical with a compact bunch and riders jockeying for position up the banking. Conan Liu
and Steve Jones took off with about 1.5 laps to go. The rest of the bunch were gapped and strung out
with Alison Hale hanging on doggedly in third place. The finish sprint was quite exciting with Steve Jones
just pulling past Conan by half a wheel width on the line. Alison held on for third place.

The three promotions to A grade left B grade with only three starters, namely Phil Coulton, Ian Drayton
and Graeme O’Neill. They were somewhat relieved at the more manageable pace with the speedsters
promoted. The trio had a good race with riders holding a good tempo and swapping out the lead in an
orderly fashion. The pace stepped up as the trio approached the bell lap. Ian and Phil were too strong
for Graeme, who fell back but continued plugging on to the finish. The final sprint was a good tussle
between Ian and Phil, with Ian emerging the victor by a small margin.

The second event was a 1-lap standing start time trial. This event is quite technical and requires a very
strong initial acceleration and sustained, high-speed sprint to the finish. Not all riders had their technique
honed to perfection in this first race session. However, the A grade times were all within a 10% margin.
Sarah Stephens was the standout with an excellent time of 28.90s closely followed by Hamish Anderson
in 29.02s and Wayne Benham in 29.83s. B Grade times were respectable with Phil Coulton 32.22s,
Graeme O’Neill 34.34s and Ian Drayton 34.53s. Ian Drayton was handicapped by recent knee surgery
that prevented him from accelerating out of the saddle.

The evening’s racing closed with the usual Italian Pursuit. Team 1 had six riders and team 2 had five
riders available. Conan Liu kindly volunteered to do 2 laps as anchor rider for team 2 so that all riders,
who desired, could contest the event. Team 2 made the better start and the early riders (Phil Coulton,
Hamish Anderson, Wayne Benham) built up a comfortable lead for team 2. Team 1 relied on the anchor
riders Sarah Stephens and Steve Jones to close the gap as Conan had two laps to finish for Team 2.
Steve Jones started the final lap with a fair deficit on Conan. Initially he looked a good prospect to catch
Conan who was expected to tire on the final lap. However, Conan held a solid pace over the final lap
giving Steve no chance. A good win for team 2!

Major place getters were as follows:
8-Lap Scratch: (A1 Grade) Steve Jones, Conan Liu. (A2 Grade) Alison Hale, Hamish Anderson, Sarah
Stephens. (B Grade) Ian Drayton, Phil Coulton, Graeme O’Neill.
1-Lap SS TT: (A1 Grade) Conan Liu (30.80s). (A2 Grade) Sarah Stephens (28.90s), Hamish Anderson
(29.02s), Wayne Benham (29.83s). (B Grade) Phil Coulton (32.22s), Graeme O’Neill (34.34s), Ian
Drayton (34.53s).
Combined Italian Pursuit: Winner Team 2 (Conan Liu, Hamish Anderson, Wayne Benham, Craig
Kentwell, Phil Coulton).

Initial Season Point Score:
Phil Coulton (19), Conan Liu (19), Hamish Anderson (18), Sarah Stephens (16), Ian Drayton (16),
Graeme O’Neill (15), Warwick Wilson (14), Alison Hale (13), Steve Jones (13), Wayne Benham (12),
Craig Kentwell (11).

Graeme O’Neill

Handicapper’s hammer

Simon Porombka C to B
Charles Black D to C

Rob Langridge – handicapper

Upcoming races needing volunteers

3 November 2024 – Tharwa – Mt Tennent Terror graded scratch:
An ETC.

26 November 2024 – SFP criterium
Race director

10 December 2024 – SFP crit
Race director

2025
14 January 2025 – SFP crit
Race director

21 January 2025 – SFP crit
Race director

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 are run.