Casey Fields Winter Crits, Sunday July 8

Near freezing temperatures may have kept the bunches a little small, but still blue skies allowed for entertaining and attacking races across the board.

The A Grade win went to elder statesman Mark Thompson (Bicycle Superstore) in a tight three way sprint with Peter English (Stay True Racing) and Michael Hale (Charter Mason). Michael Gallagher (Jayco VIS) tried to get away on a number of occasions but was too dangerous to be let go and a bunch sprint looked on the cards. A big attack from Justin Davis (O’Mara Cycles) at two to go looked to have caught the bunch napping, but Stay True had the the numbers to close his move down before the start of the climb to the last corner.

English looked to have the win wrapped up when he led round the final corner, before Thompson unleashed a terrific sprint to snatch the win.

Stefan Imberger (Mainline Cycles) ripped away from the B Grade bunch early in their race and spent close to half the 55 minute race alone before finally being worn down by the hard working chasers. From that point all attacks were quickly pounced on with most riders seeming to back their chances in the kick.

Peter Wilkie (Canard) blitzed the field in the run home, with a clear win. The battle for second was very close, with Dennis Toce just holding off a desperate charge from Taj Chopra.

Early attacks split the C Grade bunch, with the three strongest men team time trialling  away from the chasers. Mitch Lewis, Shannon Cox and Ed Smith (Kelly Coaching) kept the pressure on till race end, eventually lapping the remnants of the bunch on their final lap, before crossing the line in that order.

D Grade had the biggest field of the day and came to the line as a big bunch, despite the best efforts of Austrian Paralympic hopeful Annina Schillig to escape. Schiilg still had the legs to sprint home in third place, splitting rapid juniors Tom Benton (Bikes de Ver/CCCC Elite), David Currie and Marcus Heron (Turning Point Cycles).

E Grade had a great race under the expert guidance of Rob Koroknai, with assistance from Trent Height. Bill Simpson took the win on board the new Easton wheelset he won through the Lorraine and Ike Collings Scholarship, half a wheel in front of Ethan Height with Sam Basccomber and Shanelle Freeman third and fourth.

Thanks to Ross Thompson for his photos or the morning’s races.

Next Saturday sees CCCC return to the magnificent Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit for the Phillip Island Spectacular. Individual time trials will be race in the morning, before graded club racing (all welcome!) kicking off at 2pm. Get there early for a chance to race on the glass smooth 4.55km circuit.

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