Hello Masters,
For this week’s Bleat –
- Next Crit Race – summer evening criterium series – Tuesday 19 November
- Narrabundah Track Racing – Thursday 21 November, 5.30pm
- Crits race report for 12 November – Ross Goggin
- Track race report for 14 November – Graeme O’Neill
- Handicapper’s hammer – Grade of Origin Club Championships for Tuesday 3 December
* Graded club champs will be on 3 December.
* Riders will compete in the highest grade that they have raced in since the 2019-2020 season.
* Prizes for the first three finishers in each grade. - Next Road Race – Sutton Road Training Centre graded scratch on Sunday 8 December
- Upcoming races requiring volunteers – race calendar can be found here
Summer evening criterium series week 7 – Tuesday 19 November
Race director Jeremy Gillman-Wells, marshal Brian Chugg
Bell for the final lap.
Direction anti-clockwise
| Grades | Time | Race Duration [sunset 1951] |
| E/F/G | 17:50 | 25mins + 2 laps |
| A/C | 18:25 | A 38mins + 2 laps, C 33min +2L |
| B/D | 19:05 | B 38mins + 2 laps, D 33min +2L |
Race registration cut-off is Tuesday 19th November 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?5021180
Late registration 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 21 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 five 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.
Ian Hutchings keeping his wildlife quota up at each crit 😉 .
Narrabundah Track Racing
NARRABUNDAH TRACK RACING – THURSDAY 14 NOVEMBER, 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 (flying start TT)
6:50pm – 7.10pm: 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
Crits race report – 12 November 2024 – Ross Goggin
The skies threatened to put a dampener on the evening’s racing, but by start time, the track was dry, and a stiff breeze promised to make things exciting.
A Grade
The night began with Greg Harris and Jason Irwin dropping the hammer early, creating a two-man break. They were soon joined by Luka Manson and Stuart Griffiths, with Greg eventually falling off the pace.
Meanwhile, a second bunch formed, including Ben Morrison and Steve Crispin, with Gerard Tiffen bridging across to create a strong five-man lead group. As the laps ticked down, Stuart and Jason had a crack at another breakaway. They were bought back and the race ended with the top spots going to Stuart, Ben and Gerard.
B Grade
From the gun, Matt Pooley lit up the race with an early solo break. Bobby Mathieson and Lewis Cressy worked hard to bridge, before the whole bunch was back together. Later, Nathan Rickerby and Kim Pedersen launched separate attacks, with Nathan forging a solo lead before being reeled in by the bunch.
The race eventually split into two groups with the chasing bunch unable to close the gap. In the final laps, Bobby surged past Matt to claim victory, with Nathan rounding out the podium.
C Grade
Thomas Stewart-Moore and Damian Copeland wasted no time, going on the attack early. The bunch regrouped midway, only for Damian to test the waters again with another move.
A six-rider break briefly formed but was pulled back in before the final showdown. The final lap saw three riders escape, with Thomas powering across the line for a well-deserved win, followed by Brian Peak and Warwick Wilson.
D Grade
The D Grade race was marked by tight competition, with riders finding it almost impossible to break away from the main bunch. Kevin Newhouse and John Stokman opened the action with an early attack, quickly followed by a move from Robert Langridge and Jonathan Chowns. While the bunch continually regrouped, the intensity ramped up with 10 minutes to go.
A decisive move came from Ian Drayton, John Stokman, and David Rowe, with Brian Chugg bridging to form a lead group. On the bell lap, John held on to claim victory ahead of his rivals Brian and David.
E Grade
The sun was setting as the E Grade race began. The opening laps were measured, but Simon Milnes and Rico Fitch soon decided to split things up, breaking away to form a two-man race. The pair worked smoothly together, with Rico showing his strength to take the win. Simon followed closely in second, while Chris Copeland and Bruce Griffin rounded out the night.
Thanks to all riders for an excellent night of racing. Special thanks to the organisers and volunteers Ian, Krusty and Ryan. See you all on Tuesday to do it again!
Ross Goggin – race director
Link to the results for last week’s crits here – https://rms.crmcc.org.au/index
Links to photos, courtesy of Ian Hutchings, from last week’s criterium are here – (Post 1 A&C grades) https://www.facebook.com/share/5Th8DHZUQ31QEf4h/, (Post 2 A&C grades and start of B&D) https://www.facebook.com/share/73drAv6YfkxWrWoD/ , (Post 3 B&D) https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Vn6ARiDRssmgExts/ and (Post 4 B&D and E/F/G) https://www.facebook.com/share/YRfcFqB85AZqgHXx/
Ian also took some videos at last week’s crit – https://www.facebook.com/share/zEzzA1hxDfpCKYZf/
Narrabundah track racing report – Thursday 14 November – Graeme O’Neill
Thursday 14 November saw the fifth track racing session for the 2024-25 season. The weather was cool with a strong headwind in the front straight. The wind persisted throughout the session. Attendance (10 riders) was less that desired, but on par with numbers this season.
The 8-lap A grade scratch race had a field of seven starters. The race commenced with Sarah Stephens leading out at a comfortable tempo. Next lap, Warwick Wilson took over the lead from Sarah and raised the pace. Up until lap 6, riders were swapping out turns regularly and holding a solid pace. Alison Hale took over the lead on lap 6. Suddenly, the race changed complexion with the pack bunching up and riders jockeying for position across the track. This status continued until the entry to the bell lap. At this point, Warwick Wilson and Hamish Anderson initiated the final sprint. Almost immediately Conan Liu and Steve Jones surged around the pack to contest the win. On the line, Conan just pipped Steve with Hamish Anderson and Sarah Stephens close behind in that order.
The B grade scratch race had the same starters as the last four weeks, namely Phil Coulton, Ian Drayton and Graeme O’Neill. B Grade are desperate for a few more riders. As usual, the trio had a good race with riders holding a good tempo and swapping out the lead in an orderly fashion. As the bell lap approached, Phil Coulton kept a close eye on the trailing riders. The bell lap started with Phil and Ian surging out and dropping Graeme. At the line, Ian showed his improving form by comfortably holding out Phil for the win.
The second event was a 1-lap screamer, namely a flying start time trial over one lap. The A grade times were spread within a range from 22 – 26 seconds. Hamish Anderson took fastest time in 22.60 seconds (52.6 km/hr), with Steve Jones and Conan Liu both under 24 seconds.
In B grade, Ian Drayton confirmed his good current form with best time of 26.52 seconds.
The session’s third event was a 2-lap handicap with A and B Grades combined. The handicapper made further handicap adjustments this week, based on recent form. In the event, this provided a very competitive finish. Final placing were, in order, Hamish Anderson, Conan Liu, Ian Drayton, Alison Hale.
It was good to have Alison back at track after a spill in the Tuesday crits.
The evening’s racing closed with the usual Italian Pursuit. Each team had four riders. The handicapper was well satisfied with this event as it ended up being a very close contest. Both teams rode fast, disciplined pursuits. Both teams were neck and neck for the first three laps. In the final lap Conan Liu just pipped Steve Jones by around 1.5 metres.
Major place getters were as follows:
8-Lap Scratch: (A1 Grade) Conan Liu, Steve Jones.
(A2 Grade) Hamish Anderson, Sarah Stephens, Warwick Wilson.
(B Grade) Ian Drayton, Phil Coulton, Graeme O’Neill.
1-Lap Screamer: (A1 Grade): Steve Jones (23.03s), Conan Liu (23.95s).
(A2 Grade): Hamish Anderson (22.60s), Warwick Wilson (24.13s), Sarah Stephens (24.26s).
(B Grade): Ian Drayton (26.52s), Phil Coulton (27.70s), Graeme O’Neill (29.56s).
2-Lap Handicap (A and B Grades): Hamish Anderson, Conan Liu, Ian Drayton, Alison Hale, Steve Jones.
Combined Italian Pursuit: Winner Team 2 (Conan Liu, Warwick Wilson, Ben Davis, Ian Drayton).
Season Point Score:
Hamish Anderson (106), Ian Drayton (97), Phil Coulton (91), Steve Jones (82), Conan Liu (75), Graeme O’Neill (74), Sarah Stephens (62), John Paul De Sousa (52), Craig Kentwell (40), Warwick Wilson (34), Wayne Benham (29), Ben Davis (29), Alison Hale (27).
Handicapper’s hammer – upgrades and Grade of Origin Club Championships for Tuesday 3 December
Gradings (criterium) –
Tom Stewart-Moore – C to B grade
John Stokman – D to C grade
Grade of Origin Club Championships
Main points:
* – The graded club championships will be held on 3 December.
* – Riders will compete in the highest grade that they have attained since the 2019-2020 season.
* – Prizes will be awarded to the first three finishers in each grade.
Our current club championships are based on age. This results in riders of a large ability range competing against each other with predictable results. It took me 17 years to get on the podium of a club championship, as I had to wait for all the strong riders who’d thrashed themselves and me in their 40s to quit racing or slow down. Accordingly, those not at the top of their age group have suggested having graded championships was a ‘fair’ option. The only problem is that within each grade are riders who were only recently riding in a higher grade. Within the club, we have riders who’ve amassed many victories by requesting downgrades and then winning races in the lower grade.
In a graded club championship, these grade ‘inbetweeners’ would claim many of the prizes. To ensure that the inbetweeners don’t take all the glory, riders will have to ride in the highest grade attained since the 2019-2020 season. Analysis of earlier results shows that 1/3 of the current B grade would be promoted to A grade for this race only. The remaining stalwarts of B grade would be joined by former B graders now languishing in a lower grade, such as yours truly. A grade, obviously, won’t be affected by this type of handicapping and the winner on the day would justly claim to be the best of A grade. The racing dynamic for B grade downwards would involve some very interesting tussles among riders who’ve perhaps never been on the podium in the past five years.
Prizes, not prize money, will be awarded to the first three finishers in each grade.
Administration of this event will involve entries closing on the Monday – 2 December – of the race to allow final checks of the grades and start lists to be created. Start times will be published at the same time as the start lists. We hope riders who don’t read the club’s communications won’t be disappointed if prevented from racing in their desired grade.
Results in the Grade of Origin Championships will not affect their regular grade.
Rob Langridge – handicapper
Race committee
Next road race – Sutton Road Training Centre graded scratch on Sun 8 December
Our final road event of 2024 is a graded scratch race at the Sutton Road Training Centre on Sunday 8th December.
Cost is $10. Here is the link to register – https://rms.crmcc.org.au/calendar?5019058
Registration cut-off is 5pm on Saturday, 7 December.
Race director – Gerard Tiffen, marshal – Stephen Blackburn, van driver – Dimitar Dojcinoski.
Upcoming races needing volunteers
10 December 2024 – SFP crit
Race director
2025
14 Jan 2025 – SFP crit
Race director
21 Jan 2025 – SFP crit
Race director
4 Feb 2025 – SFP crit
Race director
11 Feb 2025 – SFP crit
Race director
25 Feb 2025 – SFP crit
Race director
11 Mar 2025 – SFP crit
Race director, marshal
18 Mar 2025 – SFP crit
Race director, marshal
25 Mar 2025 – SFP crit
Race director, marshal
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.
