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Report
by Matt Lucas
Lidcombe Auburn CC again presented riders with a
challenging criterium course being held around Five Dock park. The course was
rectangle-ish in shape, with two of the corners beng fast sweepers, one corner
greater than 90 degrees and the last corner a hairpin. The finish was downhill
into a crosswind and the slight climb had a tailwind. Plenty of shade
and a relaxing atmosphere made this an ideal crit to take the
family/partners/parents to with the Lidcombe organising food and also a
traveling coffee van for those requiring their caffeine hit to perform at their
peak. Definitely a must for other RBCC members next year.
The day was very hot with temperatures in the early 30s and a light breeze which
helped (not) to dry out riders as they were racing. Lots of fluid was needed.
Robbie Cater & Keegan Aitchison both raced in the U17 mens race. Robbie attacked
relentlessly but was unable to make any attacks stick. I suspect the other
riders were watching him closely after his break away effort at the Concord Crit
in Oct. The race ended with a bunch sprint. Keegan had a bunch finish and
Robbie took third.
Janelle Lindsay raced in the Womens Handicap race. Janelle started from one of
the middle bunches and was eventually caught by the scratchies. Janelle was able
to hold on to record a bunch finish which was probably one of the most exciting
finishes for the day. Unfortunately 3 riders stayed away from the scratchies
including a love interest of one of
Junior members! There was much encouragement from the sidelines.
As our riders had been promoted after the clubs success at the Concord Crit, the
next division we had members in was Division 3. Club captain Mark Robertson &
U23 rider Will Gray were the RBCC participants. Mark and Will both made the
early selections with Will putting in some big turns to help splinter the bunch
and reduce the numbers.With only about a third of the race to run 2 riders went
up the road and successfully got 150m on the bunch. One rider was from Lidcombe
and their other riders did well to spoil the chasing efforts of Mark, Will and
some Waratahs riders. Last lap saw Mark attack the bunch which only resulted in
Mark attempting to resurface the road with his skin going in to turn one after
dropping a pedal! Will had a good run at the bunch sprint, finishing about 6th
Place.
Chris Jenkins, Aaron Castles and myself contested the Division 2 crit as Aaron
and I had been promoted after our 1,2 finish at Concord. Aaron had been feeling
sick all week and wasn't sure what he could do so Chris and I decided we had to
attack from the outset as the race was only 16mins plus 5 laps due to the heat
and also the officials running late. We decided that if worst came to worst that
Chris would find my wheel on the last lap, no matter what and I would lead out
for him.
We decided that the lead out
would have to come around the outside on the last corner because those riders on
the inside were being squashed into the gutter and not getting a run at the line.For the first lap or so we all sat and Spongie
then had a go with a few attackers after the second lap but nothing was
happening yet. The bunch was still fresh and jumped on anything that went. Next
lap on the rise Spongie went
again with a Lidcombe rider and a Sutherland rider.
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