• Crits check-in system at SFP
  • Club Criterium Champs on 18 Feb from 5.20pm
  • Narrabundah Track Racing – Thurs 20 Feb, 5.30pm
  • Track race report for 13 Feb – Graeme O’Neill
  • Dairy Flat Road Crit Race Report 16 Feb
  • Upcoming races requiring volunteers – race calendar can be found here

Crits check-in system at SFP

Effective from Tuesday 4 February, we are implementing a criterium check-in system at SFP, so that registered riders can place a tick mark in front of their name on a registered rider start list to indicate they have arrived at the SFP track.

  • This registered rider start list will be placed on a clipboard, next to the fence, adjacent to the timing board. It will be retrieved and used by the RD to speed up the efficiency of the entry chute rollout.
  • These ‘checked-in riders’ will then be called to roll on to the track one-by-one in ascending numerical race order, like ‘priority boarding’. You can help make the process more efficient by assembling behind the race number ahead of you in your grade.
  • During the entry-chute rollout, your race number will be checked against the registered rider list.
  • If you arrive after entry chute roll-out, and prior to the start of the race, you will need to verbally check-in with either the RD or marshal during the safety briefing.
  • Unregistered riders will not be permitted to race.
  • Riders without a valid race number will not be permitted to race.
  • Registered riders arriving late to the track may be permitted to race subject to the RD’s discretion.
  • Your cooperation to help implement this step, means that only financial members who have registered for the race are competing on the SFP track, and that our insurance coverage is not compromised
  • Committee members will be on hand to help provide guidance.

Summer evening criterium series – Club Crit Champs – Tuesday 18 February

Club Criterium Championships on Tue 18 February from 5.20pm

The club’s 2025 criterium championships will be held on Tuesday, 18th February.

Racing begins at 5.20pm so we can fit all races in one night.

This year those racers who finish on the podium will receive magnets instead of medals – so you can remind your family of your effort every time they go to the fridge 😉.

*Age Classification is the age that you turn on your birthday in 2025, e.g. a rider who turns 40 in December 2025 is classed as F/M3(40-44).

Each age category will have a scattered start.

Cost is $10. Those members with the 2024/25 summer crit pass, you will just have to enter your race number.

To register here, https://rms.crmcc.org.au/calendar?5021191

Registration cut-off is 1250 on Tuesday, 18 February.

Race director – Ben Davis. Marshals Wayne Benham, Nick Boylan. First aid – Ryan Fawke.

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.

Switch race entry:
In the event of rain or another event, the members who have paid $10 to enter and decide to not race, those riders have to send an email to committee@crmcc.org.au before their race starts, where they would like to transfer their $10 with their name and race number, and the date to which they want the credit transferred.
Such requests via Facebook will be ignored.

Race Committee

Narrabundah Track Racing – Thursday 20 February, 5:30PM

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:  2-lap paired match races (Omnium Event 2).

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?5021918, where each race will cost $10.

New or returning club members who wish to ease their way into track racing may do the just the warm-up and a single event at nil cost for the session.  Just show up at the Narrabundah track by 5.30pm.

Graeme O’Neill

TRACK RACING REPORT- THURSDAY 13 FEBRUARY

Thursday 13 February saw the fifteenth track racing session for 2024-25.  Conditions at the Bundadome were hot with just a slight headwind in the back straight.  Attendance, nine riders, was on par for the current season.

The 8-lap A grade scratch race had a field of six starters.  The race commenced with Craig Kentwell leading out at a good tempo.  Craig was either feeling good or wishing to control the pace as he sat on the front for 2.5 laps before John Paul De Sousa took over for a short stint.  Sarah Stephens rolled to the front on lap 4 and upped the pace.  After turns by Alison Hale and Hamish Anderson, the pack started to compress and spread up the banking.  The pack launched out in unison on lap 7.  It remained fairly tight until the bell lap, when Conan Liu and John Paul De Sousa asserted themselves.  Conan and John Paul competed for the win with Conan gaining the upper hand.  Hamish Anderson surged out of the remaining pack to take third place.

The 8-lap B grade scratch race had a field of three starters. As usual, the race was orderly.  Ian Drayton took a couple of initial laps on the front and from there riders swapped out at one lap intervals.  The pace lifted on the approach to the bell with Ian Drayton streaking past Ken and Graeme and continuing for a comfortable win.  Ken Birch held a solid pace over the final lap and left Graeme floundering and settling for third place.

The evening’s second event was a 1-lap, standing start time trial, the first of a four event series for the season’s Omnium Championship.  This is another fun event that is difficult to execute perfectly.  As usual Hamish Anderson had the best time at 27.95 seconds.  Two other excellent A grade time were posted by Sarah Stephens (28.35s) and John Paul De Sousa (29.58s).  B grade times were Ian Drayton (31.28s), Graeme O’Neill (34.41s) and Ken Birch (34.50s),

The evenings third event was a 2-lap, combined (A & B Grade) handicap.  The limit rider Graeme O’Neill stayed out front for 1.5 laps before being overtaken by Ken Birch.  Ken was really motoring and uncatchable, taking a comfortable win.  Graeme held on until Conan Liu and Hamish Anderson swooped past just before the line.  Conan took second place with Ian Drayton third.  Graeme held on for fourth, wishing he had not eased up slightly before the line.

The final event for the evening was the usual Italian Pursuit.  The event had of four riders per team.  Team 1 looked stronger and quickly gained an advantage, ultimately giving anchor rider John Paul De Sousa a good head start.  Team 2’s anchor, Conan Liu, gained on John Paul over the final lap, but could not close the gap.  A good win for Team 1.

Major place getters were as follows:

8-Lap Scratch: (A1 Grade) Conan Liu, John Pau De Sousa.  (A2 Grade) Hamish Anderson, Sarah Stephens, Alison Hale  (B Grade) Ian Drayton, Ken Birch, Graeme O’Neill.

1-Lap SS TT:  (A1 Grade) John Paul De Sousa (29.58s), Conan Liu (31.54s)  (A2 Grade) Hamish Anderson (27.95s), Sarah Stephens (28.35s), Craig Kentwell (30.74s)  (B grade) Ian Drayton (31.28s), Graeme O’Neill (34.41s), Ken Birch (34.50s),

2-lap handicap: (A & B Grades) Ken Birch, Conan Liu, Ian Drayton, Graeme O’Neill, Craig Kentwell.

Italian Pursuit:  Winner Team 1 (John Paul De Sousa, Hamish Anderson, Craig Kentwell, Ken Birch).

Season Point Score:

Hamish Anderson (287), Conan Liu (237), Graeme O’Neill (222), Ian Drayton (193), Phil Coulton (191), Craig Kentwell (165), Sarah Stephens (139), Steve Jones (124), Ken Birch (111), John Paul De Sousa (108), Wayne Benham (100), Ben Davis (92), Alison Hale (92), Warwick Wilson (67), Dave Buckley (16), Paul Connor (16).

Omnium Point Score

Hamish Anderson (5), John Paul De Sousa (5), Conan Liu (4), Graeme O’Neill (4), Sarah Stephens (4), Craig Kentwell (4).

Dairy Flat Road Crit Race Report 16 Feb

With a chilly 3.5°C at sunrise, racing started at 8am with the thermometer yet to reach 8°C and in still conditions.

In A grade, Andrew Foster attacked almost straight away and by the 5 minute mark the bunch was almost 50” behind. The bunch then slowly winched their was back to Andrew by the 20’ mark. After 2 more laps, Andrew and Gerard Tiffen went away with their lead growing each lap. Geard won the sprint by a bike length from Andrew with Jason Irwin  taking 3rd leading Matt Darling and Andrew Murrell across the line.

In B grade, the bunch stayed mainly together, but was frequently stretched by different riders Michael Fawke felt the need to test his legs and spent much of the first 10 minutes keeping the rest of the bunch sheltered, with support from Paul Connor and Craig Lindenmeyer from time to time. With 13 minutes to go Dougal Robertson started to string the bunch out but was unable to break the elastic, and similarly when Michael and Paul attacked with 7’30” to go, both were also slowly reeled back in. Coming back into the final lap, visitor Alan Reistma and Craig Lindenmeyer road away from the bunch with Alan winning the sprint comfortably and Luke Wines leading the bunch home.

The temperature had climbed into double digits by the time C and D grade start, but the wind had also come up with a strong  southerly pushing riders up Dairy Flat but slowing attackers heading the way of the finishing line.

In C grade, Andy Matz was (not really) surprised to learn he had been promoted to B, but as it occurred after he had entered the race as a C grader, he missed the earlier start for B grade. He was given ‘most gracious guest’ status on the basis that he could push the race if he wanted to stretch his legs but not break the grade apart.

Instead, it was Ian Preston, Ed Logue  and  Andrew Hislop who took up the role of protagonists early on, and whilst they could pop off the front, any gaps were closed down. Andrew Hislop was given a long lap out for a puncture mid way through the race. Ian and Andrew broke away (just half a lap after Andrew returned) and both put a large gape into the bunch heading into the now strong wind. Ed Logue and Steven Simms drove the bunch to try and get back to them in the closing laps – and whilst getting away from the bunch in the final lap were unable to chase down Ian (winner) and Ed.

D grade elected to take a group ride approach to the morning – with the sprint for the finish the only time gaps appeared between them. The pace was sufficient to observe that even with only 6 riders, the hot dog turn into the wind made sure everybody had to work to stay together. In the end, David Gunther led Rico Fitch over the line with Jonathan Chow’s not far behind.

Thanks to Paul Connor for bring the van out, Daniel Lekhac for marshalling the northern turn and Matt Sainsbery for first aid support (his presence alone meant it wasn’t needed!).

Race Director – Chris Short

Pictures from Ian Hutchings: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BaKn6nTpW/?mibextid=wwXIfr

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FekNS8GdG/?mibextid=wwXIfr

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1KwH6BzNUR/?mibextid=wwXIfr

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16EnTvHPvf/?mibextid=wwXIfr


Upcoming races needing volunteers

2025
2 Mar 2025 – Smiths/Naas Rd handicap
Race director, 1 ETCs

16 Mar 2025 – Dairy Road criterium – points race
Race director, van driver, first aid

5 Apr 2025 – Sutton Road Training Centre kermesse
Race director, van driver, first aid

26 Apr 2025 – The Apollo
Race director, 1 ETC, van driver, first aid

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 can run.