Pierces Ck to Tidbinbilla – Graded scratch road race

• Entry is $10 for each event (the use of Care Traffic to marshal races has required an increase in race costs).
• For safety, riders must have a current Cycling Australia licence. 3 ride permits or full licences can be bought at the time of registration.
• For insurance reasons, please note that 3 ride permits purchased from other clubs may not be accepted at CCC races. 3 ride permits are for new riders that have never held a CA licence.
• Riders must have an approved Australian Standard Helmet and have a bike in roadworthy condition.
• Riders must be present for the race brief prior to their grade start
• Riders must go through the finish chute to have your finish place recorded.

Results

Despite a threatening forecast and the effects of the CCC ball, 45 riders turned out for race 1 at Pierces Creek on Sat. The course was challenging with virtually no flat sections.The first group away was A-grade and by the end of the first lap 2 riders – Nathan Booth and Tristan Dimmock – had made a break and were looking comfortable out front. Others paid the price for too much training in the lead up to Bright and decided that 1 lap was enough. The two man break’s attempt to get away, however, was thwarted on the second lap with the group coming back together. Despite already spending much of the time out front, Nathan attacked again on the final climb and managed to stay away for a solid win, closely followed in by Tristan and David Parker.

The next group on the road, B-grade, hit the ground running. The race broke up pretty quickly with a lead group of 4 established. This group stuck together until the end when Simon Dwyer showed why he should get promoted to A-grade (take note handicapper) winning the sprint finish against some tough competition. Anthony Murfett made it in for second and Aaron Coles picking up 3^rd.

Men’s C and Women’s A were the next to leave and were the biggest group of the day. As with B-grade, by the end of the first lap a break of 3 had established and were looking strong. At the turn around Ben Smyth was making sure his fellow riders were up for the challenge of keeping the pack at bay by reminding them they needed to eat and drink. Ben then confirmed his recent good form by winning the final sprint with enough time to check behind to make sure he was clear of Michael Rosser (2^nd) and Oliver Murray (3^rd). In Women’s A Erin Zimmer had a convincing win, with Gemma Ansell and Cheryl Hulskamp coming in 2^nd and 3^rd.

Women’s B were hit the course next doing 1 lap. Despite a warning from the Race Director on the start line to competitors to watch Lucy Bechtel, she managed to still ride her way to victory in her first ever road race – a great result. She was followed in by Michelle Burns and Philippa Henty.

A combined Men’s D & E group were the last to set off. In Men’s D Anthony Bogiatzis and Steve Rodgers managed to gap the field coming into the finish, setting up a contested sprint. It was Anthony who held out on the day taking the win, with the pair closely followed in by Zachary Zala.

In Men’s E it was a another debutant in Mark Francis that took out the win in good style. Having started with D-grade he managed to stick with them (and beat many – another one for the handicapper to take a look at) and produce a commanding win. Mark was followed in by Matthew Larkin and John Warren.

Thanks to all the competitors for some safe and fun racing, and a big thanks to the marshalls – Dominic Vigar, Adam Vigar, Adam Rudgley for helping out of the day.

Jared