Thorne Triumphs in first race of Women's C

Photos courtesy of Greg Long

A healthy sized group of 21 women lined up for the first Women's C race of the season to put on a show for the early SuperCrit riders. After an extended race brief the bunch rolled away and despite many first time racers being present, the peleton quickly found a rhythm around the track and through the corners and was soon looking like an experienced racing bunch.

With Maddy Marshall, Donna Smith and Helene Blackwell keeping the pace ticking along at the front, any attempts to break from the bunch were quickly shut down. The relentless pace eventually took it's toll with a few riders missing wheels and dropping off the back - a learning experience for next time.

By the final lap a solid crowd had built up on the sidelines to watch what was shaping as an exciting finish. Linda Rigby put in a big attack down the back straight but the drivers in the main group left allowed her just enough room to tire herself out before hauling her back in. Out from the bottom end of the course and into the final straight it was Christina Thorne who put in an early burst, taking the peleton by surprise and gaining a gap. The might of the chasers of Amanda Koerber, Merryn Steer and Belinda McCredie powered hard up the final hill, latching onto the wheel, but after the chase effort none quite had the power to overhaul Christina.

Post race was an event in itself as riders swapped stories and planned their strategies for next time. There was plenty of riding potential on display for the first women's race of the series, and we look forward to watching over the next few weeks as the field improves in fitness, techniques and tactics.

Results of Women's C Round 1

1. Christina Thorne

2. Amanda Koerber

3. Merryn Steer

4. Belinda McCredie

5. Maddy Marshall

6. Carly Rickerby

7. Helene Blackwell

8. Donna Smith

9. Rebecca McLaren

10. Kylie Biilmann

11. Shalan Bray

12. Linda Rigby

13. Elizabeth Lowe

14. Megan McIntyre

15. Christine Coogan

16. Judy Diamond

17. Helen King

18. Michelle Kennedy

19. Carol Paice

20. Katherine Huckstep

21. Megan Rhind

Author: Simon Dwyer

All photos courtesy of Greg Long

http://www.greglong.photostockplus.com/

Phelan flies home in SuperCrit 4

Photos courtesy of Greg Long

Adam Phelan of the new Canberran based Suzuki Uno squad outsprinted a 7 man breakaway group to take first place honours for the 4th round of the SuperCrit series.

The u/19 category rider made use of the hard work from team mates in the final lap to cross the line just ahead of Round 2 winner Michael Tolhurst and the consistent podium placing Marc Williams.

Phelan is set to enter his second year in the junior ranks as a serious contender for international duties and his current strong form looks to have him on track for a stella performance for the Tour of Bright in a months time.

How it unfolded

With some ominous afternoon weather clearing to a fine and sunny evening at Stromlo, it appeared that the racing gods were after some quality racing and they weren't disappointed.

With Round 4 being the first round to incorporate the earlier race for the Novice Women, a healthy sized crowd had gathered at the cycling centre.

The feisty Sam Genge was immediately in full flight out of the starting blocks eager to start the 50 minutes of racing. Genge dragged a small group of 5 clear that included Andrew Circosta of Velo Canberra as well as the winner's brother Michael Phelan. This small group stayed clear for the first two laps before the main field was hauled back into contention by Rideshop's Marc Williams.

As the bunch regrouped, the counter attack was launched with vigour by Justin Tomlinson. Tomlinson was promptly joined by Michael Phelan with Sam Genge making a late jump to cross to the duo.
This lead trio set about making their aggression count and worked well together to establish a gap that touched 20 seconds in parts.


The cooperation up front started to unsettle the peleton, causing a reaction from John Forrest and Joel Stewart who commenced a chase to try to reduce the advantage of the leading riders.
Several other riders joined in the chase of the peleton to assist in bringing the race back together including Neil Skipper, Williams, Michael Tolhurst and Bike Cultures Dale Percival.

The efforts of the main field were rewarded as the trio were clawed back into the fold, however they had survived long enough for Genge to pick up the first of the Coopers Brewery Sprint Primes.

No sooner than the break was back then Adam Phelan launched up the road. He quickly established a 50m lead before his brother Michael bridged. The Phelan brothers worked together however Mitch Lovelock-Fay jumped out of the main field to attempt to join the Phelan party. Sam Genge again dug deep and joined Lovelock-Fay in riding across to the Phelans.

As Genge joined the brothers, Lovelock-Fay didn't quite make the junction and returned to the peleton.

The threat of the lead trio caused a strong reaction from Tolhurst, Tomlinson, Williams and Skipper and everyone was brought back into the fold of the peleton with 15 minutes left on the clock.

With legs getting heavy from the chase, Williams and Tolhurst pumped out the watts and forced a split in the bunch that dragged Forrest, Adam Phelan, Alistair Loutit and Tomlinson clear. The 6 quickly established a 100 metre gap on the field and looked to be the winning break. Stewart saw the danger and launched out of the main group to solo across in a grimacing move.
As Stewart latched on to the break, the lead group settled into a good working group and cemented their lead over the next 5 laps, gaining a half lap lead on the main field.

As the laps ticked down the leaders maintained their lead and at 2 laps to go all seven riders were in contention for the win.


Stewart had a dig a lap and a half out but was quickly marked by Tomlinson. Forrest and Loutit took up the lead positions and thumped out the pace for the final lap. Tolhurst forced his way up a few positions through the final few corners before launching off Loutit in bid for a second SuperCrit victory. However Phelan had the legs as he sprinted past Tolhurst, while Williams made up several position in the final melee to seize third.


Top Ten Results SuperCrit Round 4


1. Adam Phelan
2. Michael Tolhurst
3. Marc Williams
4. Alistair Loutit
5. Justin Tomlinson
6. Joel Stewart
7. John Forrest
8. Michael Phelan
9. Dale Brede
10. Neil Skipper


All photos courtesy of Greg Long
http://www.greglong.photostockplus.com/

World Champ wins SuperCrit Round 3

Photos courtesy of Greg Long

Reigning junior world champion Tom Palmer set the Stromlo Forest park criterium circuit alight on Thursday night to take out his first SuperCrit win for the season.

In good conditions and after 50 minutes of racing action, Palmer burst clear from the bunch down the long finish straight. His finishing speed was enough to just pip Sam Genge on the line and claim top place honours at the culmination of a fast and fierce criterium. Palmer's racing form is evidently on the rise as he builds towards an international road competition in Japan in a few weeks time.

Palmer was the only rider able to overhaul the aggressive Sam Genge who nearly stole a race winning march on the field in the dying moments. Genge, who was elated with his second placing has shown remarkable form over the first two rounds of racing, and SuperCrit 3 was no exception.

Also sprinting well for third was Michael Phelan. However the find of the season is Vikings Cycling Club rider Simon Dwyer who is fast developing into racer to watch. Moderately new to the A grade field, Dwyer has made a statement in SuperCrit 3 by placing 4th. Dwyer had done it tough in the first two rounds despite shaping the races in their early stages, yet he demonstrated his natural racing tenacity by clawing his way through a classy field to place ahead of several National Road Series competitors.

Top Ten Results Round 4

1. Tom Palmer

2. Sam Genge

3. Michael Phelan

4. Simon Dwyer

5. Alistair Loutit

6. Marc Williams

7. Cal Britten

8. Justin Tomlinson

9. Brent Miller

10. Shaun Lewis

All photos courtesy of Greg Long

http://www.greglong.photostockplus.com/

Tolhurst storms to a decisive victory in SuperCrit Round 2

Photos courtesy of Greg Long

Velo Canberra's Michael Tolhurst took his first criterium win for the summer season in a stunning solo victory.

Tolhurst escaped the clutches of the peleton with second place finisher Marc Williams just after the halfway point of the race, aggressively capitalising at a crucial moment as the bunch reeled from a flurry of attacks.

The pair swapped off consistently to open up a 30 second lead on the main field which was to prove enough to hold of the peleton. Two laps out from the finish Tolhurst made his move to ride away from Williams and convincingly clinch the win.

How the race unfolded

With conditions ideal for some fast racing, round 1 winner Michael Matthews immediately tore off the line, dragging the field to a brisk start.
Sam Genge tried his legs early in an attempt to slip away, however a vigilant bunch was quick to haul him in. Allan Sieper also tried several times to get clear of the race, but without fruition.
High bunch speeds and unsuccessful attacks illustrated the opening half of the race, however Stephen Blackburn stole a short march on the pack for an optimistic lone lap.
As Blackburn was being brought back to the group, Justin Tomlinson scorched off the front of the group with Matthews in tow.
The duo managed to build a 15 second gap, however the main field was kept at close quarters by some strong chasing from Tuggeranong Vikings rider Simon Dywer and upcoming junior racer Lewis Hopkins. Matthews and Tomlinson succumbed to the chase of the peleton, however this unsuccessful move paved the way for the race winning counter attack of Tolhurst and Williams.

As Williams and Tolhurst slowly built their insurmountable lead, a sensational move from the ever aggressive Justin Tomlinson saw him come ever so close to riding across the gap to the lead pair. Unfortunately for Tomlinson he couldn't quite shut down the final 50 metres and was eventually swallowed up by the main bunch 3 laps from the finish.
As Tolhurst skipped away from Williams up front, Genge and Matthews were still maintaining the speed back in the main pack. Former Commonwealth Bank stage race winner Peter Rogers also assisted in lifting the pace of the peleton in the closing laps.

While Tolhurst saluted the crowd in fine solo style, Michael Matthews once again displayed his ability to recover by launching out of the final corner in the sprint for third. Matthews was just pipped on the line by Team QUON rider Joel Stewart, while ACT Academy of Sport rider Alistair Loutit took fifth placing.
Top 10 Results

1. Michael Tolhurst
2. Marc Williams
3. Joel Stewart
4. Michael Matthews
5. Alistair Loutit
6. Allan Sieper
7. David Rae
8. Peter Rogers
9. Lewis Hopkins
10. Mitchell Lovelock-Faye

All Photos courtesy of Greg Long

www.greglong.photostockplus.com

Miller to pull the road shoes on in SuperCrit Round 2

Fresh from back to back pro team titles at the Scott 24 hour MTB race, Canberra's own Brent Miller has announced his intentions to dust off the road bike and line up at this weeks SuperCrit Thursday.

Despite talking down his current form, Miller was recalled into the 4 man Pro team sponsored by GU, Sram and Niterider to defend their 2007 title.

Dubbed the 'Dream Team' by race organisers, Miller held his own and produced 9 consistently quick laps in his teams' successful title defense.

With racing once again kicking off from 6.30pm this Thursday, it will be interesting to see Miller take on the top local roadies in another exciting blast around Stromlo Forest Park.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Yours in racing,

The SuperCrit Team

SuperCrit Round 1 Report & Results

Matthews continues strong form with dominant SuperCrit Victory

Photos: Greg Long

ACT Academy of Sport rider Michael Matthews won the first ever SuperCrit Thursday in an exciting display of racing versatility.
Held while hundreds of Scott 24 hour mountain bike race competitors were working around the course setting up camping equipment, the 18 year old Matthews stormed home to an arms aloft victory in a close sprint finish.
Matthews sprint finish was all the more impressive after being up the road in the major breakaway of the race.

How it unfolded
31 riders signed on to tackle the remarkably different course that was set amidst the corporate and administrative marquees of the Scott 24 hour event.

The inaugural SuperCrit raced away to a quick start under the steam of Nathan Haas and Jeremy Ross who forced the pace early.
A flurry of individual attacks marked the race early as Sam Genge, Marc Williams and the ever present Ross tried to escape the clutches of the peleton.
David Rae was one of the aggressors who found himself with a small lead for a lap during the first half of the race.
By the 25 minute mark the continual aggression had many riders feeling the pinch when Williams and Matthews managed steal a lead on the bunch.
For the next ten minutes the lead duo built their advantage together up to 20 seconds, aided by the line of sight obscuring marquees.

Just when the break looked like sticking, Velo Canberra's Allan Sieper called his men to the fore to peg the gap back.
Sieper traded big turns of pace with team mate Mick Tolhurst to halve the gap of Matthews and Williams.
Up front Matthews off loaded Williams and committed himself to holding off the bunch solo.
As Williams returned to the fold of the strung out peleton, Jeremy Ross delivered a bunch shattering lap long turn in the wind to reel in the lonely Matthews.
With the daylight fading over Stromlo Forest Park, the gasping main pack received 3 laps to go. A few late attacks tried to prevent a bunch gallop from occurring, however no moves stuck.
On the last lap, Vikings racer John Forrest launched hard out of the final corner into the long finish straight. Matthews picked his wheel well and stepped hard over Forrest 200 metres from the line in his successful bid for victory. Joel Stewart finished close in 2nd placing with Velo Canberra's Simon Christopher 3rd.

Top 8 Results Round 1 (45mins + 3 laps) 31 Starters

1st Michael Matthews

2nd Joel Stewart

3rd Simon Christopher

4th John Forrest

5th Allan Sieper

6th Sam Genge

7th Mark Harris

8th Mitch Lovelock-Fay

All photos courtesy of Greg Long
www.greglong.photoeventplus.com

A Unique Village Setting for SuperCrit Round 1

A unique village setting for Round 1

Riders will have the chance to enjoy a distinct village setting for the first ever SuperCrit Thursday.

Held over a distance of 45 minutes plus 3 laps, the race will be held through the marquee Village* that is setup for the Scott 24 hour race.

This will create an exciting racing scenario that will see breakaways benefit from the ability to ride out of sight as well as having the marquee structures cut down on any wind.

There is only one place to be this Thursday.

Yours in Racing

The SuperCrit Team

*Please note that the Criterium Circuit will be free of obstacles as the marquees are setup on grass sections and not on the racing surface.

SuperCrit Thursday Rules & Regulations

Hi All,

Below are the race rules and regulations that will be in place for the SuperCrit Series.
Please make a note of the section that requires you to bring your racing license with you.

We look forward to seeing you this Thursday at Round 1.

Yours in Racing
The SuperCrit Team

SuperCrit Thursday Race Rules & Regulations

Race to be held under the control of the Race Commissaire.

All riders must hold a full Cycling Australia affiliated cycling license, or if based in the A.C.T. a relevant current Cycling Australia affiliated club license.

3 ride permits may be used if current and approved by a Vikings Cycling Club Official.

Riders will exchange their cycling license for their race number when signing on and paying the race fee. Race officials will return the riders cycling license when they return their race number.

Riders will race for a set time duration announced by the Commissaire. At the end of this duration the race will have 3 laps to go till completion. Riders will be alerted to this by the lap to go number boards and via a bell on the final lap.

Lapped riders may be withdrawn from the race at the Commissaires discretion. Lapped riders must leave the racing course by 3 laps to go if not previously withdrawn from the race by the commissaire.

Should a small group lap the field the main group will contest the minor places at 3 laps to go, indicated by a whistle. The main group will then leave the circuit. The remaining riders will have 3 laps to go.

Should riders find themselves off the edge of the racing surface, riders are to take reasonable care when rejoining the race surface.

Riders with mechanical problems will be allowed one lap out to address their problem. Any riders with spare wheels will keep them in the centre portion of the race track. All wheel changes must be made in this area.

Verbal or Physical abuse of Race Officials or Commissaires will not be tolerated and any offending riders could be subject to disciplinary action by the Race Officials and/or the A.C.T. Cycling Federation.

Riders acknowledge that when signing on that they understand the above race rules and that they will comply with any instructions or directions issued by race officials or the commissaires.

On Your Marks.... Key SuperCrit Dates

A reminder that Round 1 commences this Thursday the 9th October.

Starting in Round 4 (30th October), the Novice Womens Grade will have its inaugural race at 5.45pm prior to the running of the SuperCrit in its regular time slot of 6.30pm.

We look forward to seeing you there

Yours in racing
The SuperCrit Team

SuperCrit Thursday Round 1 Commences 9th October

Welcome all to the SuperCrit Thursday Blog.

Here you will find all the racing news and results from the SuperCrit Season.

We look forward to seeing you this Thursday for Round 1. Racing commences 6.30pm with registration from 6pm.

Yours in Racing

The SuperCrit Team