- From the Desk of the President
- Next Race – Stromlo Crits
- Downtube Shifter Derby
- Reduced Price Membership
- NARRABUNDAH TRACK RACING
- Race Report – Stromlo Crits
- Race Report – Track Racing
- Upcoming races requiring volunteers – race calendar can be found here
From the Desk of the President
Dear members
As we approach the end of the calendar year, and the beginning of the new membership year, the club has undertaken a mass regrading of those members who race the criteriums at SFP, effective from Tuesday 6 January 2026.
Please note that the whole committee contributed to the regrading and that it didn’t just come down to the opinion of the club handicapper, although he played a big role in instigating it.
You can view your new grade assignment here in this Google sheet. (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Phf94jPvGo7OA_4nG71MfhY8oj5ePTz4/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=102624606282391619796&rtpof=true&sd=true) Please note that it is organised by alphabetical order of your first name, as your first objective will be to look up yourself. Please be respectful of the information in the sheet as it does contain the names and grades of other club members. You won’t have editing or commenting privileges.
For many of you, there will be little change. For those whose grade has changed, please give it a go from 6 January onwards before contacting us via committee@crmcc.org.au. I suggest this email address, rather than the handicapper@crmcc.org.au because the whole committee is responsible for this implementing this regrading and not just our handicapper.
We feel the following goals were met when we revised the grading:
- A redistribution to a more consistent number in each grade, now ranging from the hypothetical maximum number of riders of A (39), B (41), C (46), D (38), E (30), FG (2)
- We moved the weaker third of any grade down to a lower grade which will essentially make all grades below A stronger than they are now. This makes for more exciting racing all around.
- Your new grade will be implemented in your membership record when you renew your 2026 financial racing membership, which we expect to be offered within the next fortnight. Stay tuned.
- There will be some riders who are ill or making their way back from injury, so we will deal with those on a case by case basis upon their return to fitness.
Before I sign off for this week’s Bleat, could I please ask you during the coming weeks of Christmas parties that if you have been consuming alcohol during the day, to not race at our Tuesday’s criterium?
We don’t have a policy on this, but I am appealing to use your good judgement and common sense out of respect to the welfare of your fellow riders. I also ask those of you who are community-minded to step up and offer your help to running the club in 2026 as a committee member, as the few of us on it, cannot do all the roles and jobs.
Conan
CRMCC President
Next Race – Crits at Stromlo Forest Park – Tuesday 09 December 2025
Please note, 5:40PM also holds the Women’s specific criterium grade (20mins) to foster participation and confidence in riding on the Stromlo Forest Park criterium track. Perfect for women and non-binary riders who are looking for an introductory ride or those that prefer cycling in a smaller group.
Race registration cut-off is 12:40pm. Cost is $10.
You need to register by looking up the calendar entry in the RMS https://rms.crmcc.org.au/calendar
You must wear your CRMCC assigned race number to race.
Late registrations will be assessed by committee@crmcc.org.au and if allowed, a late fee of $10 will be applied.
If you are unregistered and show up to the crit track, you must convince a committee member (not the Race Director) of your club member financial status for insurance purposes, before being allowed to participate.
All riders are required to sign on before their race start.
We will be running an entry chute, where riders are called 1 by 1 onto the circuit in numerical order of sign-on.
Please remember to check the RMS Calendar for race times each week now that we are back to rotating all 3 time slots.
Downtube Shifter Derby
Steel bike aficionados mark 9 December on the calendar for the Downtube Shifter Derby!
This race will be a criterium for bikes with downtube shifters. Members are welcome to convert carbon bikes to use such shifters but will be interviewed by healthcare professionals after the race. The derby will be 20 minutes plus one lap starting at 1715. We’ll start off together and do two ceremonial laps before the hostilities begin. Riders must wear an approved helmet, have a roadworthy bike and wear non-arse-crack revealing kit. Old jerseys and knicks are most welcome. Barrel-draw prizes afterwards. Crit pass holders need to nominate by emailing committee@crmcc.org.au.
Date: 9 December
Time: 1715
Duration: 20 minutes plus one lap.
Rules: Must ride bike with downtube shifters
Rob Langridge
Club handicapper
Reduced Price Membership
Now available, reduced priced racing membership of $99 (same price as last year) for those new or renewing members wishing to join us financially for racing up to and including the Christmas criterium wheel race qualifier on 16 December 2025, or the equivalent track wheel race on 18 December 2025.
NARRABUNDAH TRACK RACING – THURSDAY 11 December, 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 – 6.40pm: 6-lap (handicap) Christmas wheel race.
Christmas Program
Please register your attendance at https://rms.crmcc.org.au/calendar?5021932 , The Christmas track
session is a free event. It will include free drinks and nibbles to celebrate the festive season – all club
members welcome!!!
The club has a track booking for 18 December but events will depend on numbers. It may be
rescheduled as training or cancelled if numbers are low.
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.
Race Report – Stromlo Crits – 02 December 2025
Favourable conditions for crit racing on Tuesday the 2nd of December with a moderate temperature and not to much wind. Blistering paces in all grades meant for plenty of DNF’s and tired legs but also plenty of smiles and good times all round.
A Grade – A grade got off to a blistering start with 71, Trent Smyth, attacking the group on lap 1 and opening a sizeable gap and holding it for several laps. A chase group of Marc Vroomans, Jeremy Gillman-Wells and Nathan Spillane set of in pursuit of Smyth but were bought back to the bunch within a lap with Kris McGrath then went on the attack trying to bridge to Smyth. A lap later the main group was back together with Smyth still holding a sizeable lead, albeit getting shorter each lap.
With 10 minutes gone Smyth was joined by a break of 5 and the 6 of them set about putting time into the main group. The pace took a toll quickly with a number of riders taking a DNF or a lap out to catch their breath and rejoin the main group. With 25 minutes to go a break of Jason Irwin, Kris McCreath, Aydon Toovey, Steve Crispin, Ben Morrison and Trent Smyth got away and the main group split into 4 smaller bunches leaving no less than 5 groups on the track and a race director and marshall watching like hawks to try and keep a track of who was where across A & C grades.
With 10 minutes to go the majority of what was left of A grade came back together and it would stay that way until the last 1/2 lap. Around the final corner and 5 riders contested a sprint with Steve Crispin narrowly being pipped at the line by Kris McCreath.
C Grade – C grade set off quickly after A grade and largely stayed together for the first 15 minutes albeit with the pace generally fairly high keeping the bunch strung out the majority of the time. Ian Preston took an opportunity to stretch the legs and get off the front for a short while but was bought back into the fold by the group within the lap. Mick Hanbury, never one to shy from the front, put in some strong laps stretching the field and testing a few legs further down the line. However it wasn’t to be and with 2 laps to go the bunch settled in for what would be a sprint finish. Coming into sight of the finishing straight 4 riders looked to be in contention however 191, Lance Purdon led from the entry to the corner all the way to line to take first ahead of Norris Robertson and Eoin Rothery.
B Grade – B Grade set off together and stayed that way for the first few laps before Mick Rose and Kim Pedersen joined forces to jump off the front of the main group and go on the attack, however it was short lived with the group coming back together within the next lap. The pace visibly went up with the bunch being strung out and several riders getting dropped off the back. What followed was a flurry of attacks with Krusty Bryant, Kim Pederson and Dougal Robertson all enjoying time off the font. With 10 minutes to go the group came back together and settled, briefly. A final break went and coming into the last corner 10 riders contested the sprint with Craig Lindenmayer winning by 3-4 bike lengths over Alexander Gorringe and Craig Tozer.
D/E Grade – As the sun started to get low and the roos gathered around the track D & E grade set off for the final races of the evening. Around 10 minutes in Chris Daly, Timothy Moore and Paul Clare went on the attack getting a small gap on the field and causing some pressure in the main group. It wasn’t to last however as the group reeled them back in and it would stay this way until the final corner where 4 riders would go clear an contest the sprint. Timothy Moore never looked in doubt as he led from the front and crossed the line 3 bike lengths ahead of his closest rival David Gunther. They were closely followed by Tony Sheehan in 3rd. E grade fielded 3 riders and split early with Rico Fitch and Cat Riley getting away from Chris Copeland by some 1/2 a lap or more that would stand for the majority of the race. It wouldn’t end this way however with Ricoh pulling away solo and maintaining to win whilst Chris caught Cat and passed her to take 2nd with Cat taking 3rd.
A huge thanks to Matt for taking on the First Aid role, Aaron for Marshalling and shepherding roos from all corners of the track and Ian Hutching who does so much on the night and makes it much easier for the volunteers, many thanks Ian.
Cheers,
Boyd Statton – Race Director
Photos thanks to Ian Hutchings
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CvyRXaMh7
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Race Report – Track Racing – 04 December
Thursday 4 December saw the eighth track racing session for the 2025-26 season. The weather was
excellent for track racing, sunny, warm temperature and very light head wind in the back straight.
Attendance (8 riders) was adequate to run a full race program.
The session races and place getters were as follows:
8-Lap Scratch: (A Grade) John Paul De Sousa, David Buckley, Sarah Stephens, Chris Chant, Ben Davis.
(B Grade) Phil Coulton, Ken Birch, Graeme O’Neill.
200 Fly – flying start time trial: (A1 Grade) John Paul De Sousa (13.62s), David Buckley (14.64). (A2
Grade) Sarah Stephens (14.25s), Chris Chant (14.33s), Ben Davis (14.94s). (B Grade) Phil Coulton
(15.57s), Graeme O’Neill (16.17s), Ken Birch (16.46s),
2-Lap Handicap: Sarah Stephens, Chris Chant, Ken Birch, John Paul De Sousa, Dave Buckley.
Italian Pursuit Winner: Team 2 (David Buckley, Ben Davis, Chris Chant, Ken Birch).
For Michael Langdon’s commentary on the races, click the following links:
A grade
B grade
2 lap handicap
Italian Pursuit
Season Point Score:
Graeme O’Neill (126), Alison Hale (119), Phil Coulton (116), John Paul De Sousa (111), Ben Davis (98),
Chris Chant (92), Jess Laws (76), Dave Buckley (75), Ken Birch (72), Sarah Stephens (68), Ian Drayton
(54), Paul Angelatos (18).
Upcoming races needing volunteers
We have multiple vacancies for race directors for SFP crits.
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.
