Anzac Weekend Criterium

Cyclists give it all.....

The Anzac weekend Criterium was billed as being a great spectator event and that is exactly how it turned out. Eighteen riders lined up on the start line to contest the tight circuit and make or break corners. The group was split into A and B Grade with B Grade completing 15 minutes racing against the clock before the bell signalling their two laps to finish. A Grade completed 20 minutes against the clock before receiving the bell. Many riders had never ridden a criterium race previously and so there were some pre race jitters about cornering at speed.

The race was on from the outset with both the A and B Grade riders jostling for position. The group of Roger Swan, Peter Johnson, Paul Dodson, Paul Spackman, Gavin Keyser, Wayne Hosking, Dean Carroll, Andrew Toovey, Johny Barber, Peter Burchell, Duane Crabb and Tim Glenister established a quick break and after a few laps started to string out. Paul Baldock and Johnathan Tam struggled to maintain the speed of the main group and dropped off the back, soon followed by Peter Burchell, Johny Barber and Duane Crabb. Andrew Toovey showed that he was a dark horse for Crit racing, with the B Grade rider easily keeping himself in the main pack for the majority of the race.

The remaining B Grade riders of Eddie Mueller, Julie Firth, Sonia Davies and Barb Glenister rode strongly with those who were nervous about the corners improving as the race progressed.

Gavin Keyser punctured early into the race and was fortunate that fellow competitor Duane Crabb had brought along a spare set of wheels - Crabb was kind enough to offer the spare prior to the start of the race and so Keyser effected a quick change and was soon back on the circuit.

The wind picked up as the race progressed making some sections of the course even harder and consequently the B Grade group were very happy to receive the bell and commence their final two laps. Toovey easily took line honours, followed by Firth, Mueller, Davies and Barb Glenister. It is fair to say that Toovey can expect to be elevated to A Grade for future criterium races.

The A Grade group worked very well together with Johnson completing the lion's share of turns. Johnson was assisted by Swan and Dodson who regularly came to the front and helped ensure the pace remained high throughout the event. The short circuit saw riders moving in and out of groups however the main A Grade bunch of Johnson, Swan, Dodson, Spackman, Hosking, Carroll and Glenister remained together with all but a few minutes to go. Carroll lost contact coming out of a corner and Glenister ran out of puff just before the bell lap. This left Johnson, Dodson, Swan, Spackman and Hosking to contest the sprint. The pace lifted into the final lap with Johnson, Swan and Dodson being out sprinted by Hosking and Spackman. Hosking was first across the line, closely followed by Spackman and Dodson, with Johnson and Swan finishing fourth and fifth respectively.

Many thanks to Paul Wilson for time keeping, Tim and Barb Glenister for putting out the signs and Bec Swan for marshalling and ensuring that business owners on the circuit were aware of the event.

The picasa photostream has been updated with pictures from today's event.

Bootenal to Walkaway Wind Farm and return.

Great ride by trio….

Spokes launched the calendar into April with a 43.9km individual road race from Bootenal to Wind Farm and return. This event starts and finishes on long flat roads but it is the middle 10km which really challenges cyclists - a long winding hill up to the wind farm before the turn around for high speed descent.

The mass start saw a large lead group form, with many riders enjoying the pace and ‘sit’ provided by the stronger and more experienced cyclists. The long flat roads leading to Walkaway allowed for Peter Johnson and Richard Quinlan to combine with Mike Paxman, ensuring a firm pace was set. Julie Firth and Eddie Mueller tucked themselves into the lead group utilising position to their best advantage.

The good pace and strong wind started to take its toll on some riders with Peter Burchell being the first to lose touch with the main bunch. A further injection of speed from Paul Dodson saw Andrew Toovey exposed to the wind and no longer able to hang on. Toovey was soon joined by Roger and Bec Swan and Paul Wilson who formed their own bunch behind the leaders.

Paul Baldock, Ian Andrews and Patrick Betteridge missed the jump at the start and this saw Andrews and Betteridge struggling to maintain contact. Baldock showed strength by riding up to the group of Toovey, Wilson and the Swans, and then powering away from them up the hill.

Johnson, Quinlan and Paxman dominated the climb pulling away from Dodson, Firth and Mueller. The trio accelerated to the top of the hill and then completed a fast descent to power back to the finish line.

Baldock was able to pass Mueller before catching Dodson and Firth. Roger Swan left Toovey and Bec Swan on the climb but then waited at the top to re-join his group and ensure that all finished together. Eddie Mueller was also caught by this group but was able to complete the descent and race to the finish with the other three.

It was the effort of Paul Wilson on the climb that deserves special mention. Wilson seemed to be struggling at the bottom of the hill but amazed all with his magical appearance at the top, completely overtaking all but the lead trio – perhaps some secret training of sorts or was it outside assistance?

Burchell, Andrews and Betteridge were the final cyclists over the hill with both seeming very happy to turn around and complete the descent.

At the front of the race Johnson, Quinlan and Paxman worked extremely well together and all vied for line honours. Johnson was able to out sprint Quinlan and Paxman in a very tight finish.

Next across the line was Dodson who was closely followed by Baldock and Firth. This was an excellent ride by Julie Firth who maintained contact up and over the climb to remain at the front of the event.

The group of Toovey, Roger and Bec Swan and Eddie Mueller rode well, completing turns and keeping the pace at a good level. Bec Swan attempted a lead out some distance from the finish only to be caught by Toovey and Roger Swan before then being ‘allowed’ to finish ahead of her group.

Burchell, Andrews and Betteridge finished shortly after with all cyclists agreeing that the race was tough but extremely enjoyable. As always the wind made things very interesting, albeit the usual Southerly was replaced by a North Easterly. This provided a pure head wind for the climb and saw the pace fluctuate amongst all.

Thanks to Mike Paxman, who travelled from Kalbarri to ride his first race with Spokes – welcome Mike and we hope to see you at future races. Special thanks to Peter Burchell for putting out the signs, Darryl Sheilds for timekeeping and Terry Wellman for assisting with marshalling and sign collection.

Results are below and the Picasa Photostream has been updated with photo's taken today by Darryl.

Results - Bootenal to Wind Farm and return.

Summer / Autumn Calender

Click on calendar to enlarge.