Criterium de Meru

Criterium Sunday 20^th Nov

A very windy day made for tough riding conditions.  A brave cluster of 10 riders fronted up ready to engage in battle.  The club was pleased to welcome Michael Pardon as a new rider visiting from Perth and to welcome back Theresa Pomery and Andre Eastough who clearly love riding crits.

There was a mass start for all riders who gave 100% over the 20 minute criterium.  Within a few laps Paul Dodson, Andre Eastough, Roger Swan, Mike Pardon and Peter Johnson lead a peleton lapping at better than 1 minute per lap.  The remaining riders stuck at their ride and maintained a good pace throughout.

The sprint finish saw Andre take line honours followed closely by Mike, Paul D and Peter J.  Roger managed to keep the new bike on the same lap as the front runners and went so hard in the last two laps that he missed the bell.  It must have been the wind noise off those fancy new wheels Rog!

Theresa won the women’s event and Jonty won the Junior’s event with strong ride in his first Criterium.  Well done Jonty.  This was also Rhonda Bradley’s first “crit” and although her domestique [Darryl Sheilds] was heckled by the peleton, Rhonda said she learnt more in 20 minutes of riding than she had in years on her own!  Great concentration Rhonda.  Tom Thuijs also had his first run at the Meru crit circuit and finished in the middle of the field.

Well done to all the first time criterium riders and a huge effort was put in by all riders in adverse conditions.  

Thanks to Bec for providing some wonderful prizes for the children’s and Juniors races.