JasonM
05-09-2010, 03:43 PM
Spectators at Stromlo Forest Park today were treated to a masterful display of riding from ACT junior rider Michael Rice in the U15 mens national criterium championship. After mechanical problems forced him out of yesterday's race with 3k's to go, Michael was determined to win today's Australian U15 criterium and he didnt disappoint. With the wind picking up after the heats for the U17 men it was going to be a tough affair and Michael rode one of the best tactical races ever seen at the Stromlo park. Each lap he was prominent towards the front but always using his rivals to do all the hard work. As expected the pace was hot early and small group established itself at the front of the race with representatives from Victoria, NSW and WA all featuring prominently and making several attempts to form a breakaway. Approximately half way into the race three riders managed to get themselves clear of the bunch and the NSW riders were doing a good job of holding the remainder of the pack at bay. Seeing his chance, Michael exploded out of the pack at the top of the straight and quickly bridged across to make it a group of four. For a short time this group looked like it would stay away, especially when they were joined by a WA rider, however the remainder of the pack responded with gusty and brought things back together. From here there were several late moves but it was clear it was going to come down to a sprint finish. Michael's positioning through the entire race was sublime and as expected he assumed the coveted 3rd wheel through collarbone corner. Coming into the home straight he had moved into 2nd wheel and was given the dream run up the inside of the track to sprint clear of his rivals to claim the gold in convincing fashion. A very well deserved result for a class rider. On another positive note, Hamish Prosser started in his first national criterium championship and finished only a half lap down in the first chase pack. A very positive result for the youngest who is usually more at home on a mountain bike.
Earlier in the day the U17 men lined up for the heats of their criterium. Each heat would see the top 20 riders through to the final and the tactics in each heat were in stark contrast, with the first being more a race of attrition and the second being explosive and blown apart from the gun. The ACT team was missing Sean Whitfield who was recovering from a nasty fall in yesterday's road race, however Phil Jermyn, Sam Sautelle & Josh Buchanan were joined by fellow Canberra rider Josh Lind for the first heat. Phil rode a very smart race and was well placed for the entire race to easily make it through to the final. Sam was still feeling the effects of recent illness, but fortunately he has an uncanny ability to find a good wheel in the bunch and was well protected from the wind each lap until 2 to go when the pace hotted up and it was just a bit too much to handle. Despite, this Sam should be very proud of his performances over the weekend and like Michael I am sure results will start to go his way sooner rather than later. Both Josh's (Buchanan and Lind) were unfortunate to find themselves at the back early on in the race and with the wind making it difficult to move up they soon found themselves out of contention and ultimately progressed through to the B final.
In the B final Josh was determined to redeem himself after the unfortunate start line mis-clip in the heat and he rode a stellar race to finish in the top 10. The wind had picked up even more by this stage and the commentator was heard to report that it had reached 50km/h. The group strung out single file early and with the leaders riding in the gutter it was only a matter of time before riders starting dropping off. Josh rode good position early on before gradually succumbing to the pace just before mid way in to the race. However he dug deep and went into solo TT mode to continue to chase the seven leaders. Several riders behind were trying to catch up but just werent strong enough to bridge to Josh or the leaders. With 7 minutes remaining he started to gain ground on the leaders and with two laps to go was barely 20 metres from regaining contact, however the leaders spotted him and picked up the pace to start their final kick to the line. In the end Josh finished a very credible 8th.
Next up were the U17 women, with Lucy Kirk, Kate Huckstep, Maddy Marshall and Allison Rice had steely looks of determination as they took to the start line. The tactics for this race were pretty clear, stay out of the wind, keep towards the front and make it tough for their opponents. It only took a few laps but all four of our girls had managed to work their way into the front group on the road. Beyond this the race was shattered with lone riders circling with big gaps between them. About 10 minutes in to the race Lucy Kirk made her way to the front and hit the nytro riders were seen scrambling for wheels. A lap later and the damage had been done with several more riders unhitched from the main group, leaving the remainder of the girls to fight it out for the win. At this stage most states were down to lone riders, with the exception of South Australia who had two and in the end it was these girls who took the initiative and drove the pace in the final laps. Yesterday's road race winner Emily Roper found herself boxed in and too far back as they headed down the back straight for the last time, however Allison had followed her brothers lead and grabbed 3rd wheel through the bone. Coming into the straight it was a wall of riders all across the track sprinting for the line, with at Tassie girl claiming a good victory and Allison finishing just one place out of the medals in fourth.
The last race of the day was the U17 mens final. Phil Jermyn was the sole ACT representative and he was in perfect position straight off the start line. However the boys were determined to make it a tough race and it turned out the warp engines were in overdrive and the race blew to pieces in the opening laps with a SA rider joining Friday's TT champion, from Vic, in a 2-up breakaway. With a team mate in the break 3 Victorian riders then nullified and chases and it became a race in two, with the Victorian rider taking the win.
All up it was an fantastic weekend for racing for ACT junior cyclists and they have done themselves proud. Please join with me in congratulating them on their efforts and we look forward to more great results in the future.
--
Jason Mahoney
ACT Junior Team Coach
Earlier in the day the U17 men lined up for the heats of their criterium. Each heat would see the top 20 riders through to the final and the tactics in each heat were in stark contrast, with the first being more a race of attrition and the second being explosive and blown apart from the gun. The ACT team was missing Sean Whitfield who was recovering from a nasty fall in yesterday's road race, however Phil Jermyn, Sam Sautelle & Josh Buchanan were joined by fellow Canberra rider Josh Lind for the first heat. Phil rode a very smart race and was well placed for the entire race to easily make it through to the final. Sam was still feeling the effects of recent illness, but fortunately he has an uncanny ability to find a good wheel in the bunch and was well protected from the wind each lap until 2 to go when the pace hotted up and it was just a bit too much to handle. Despite, this Sam should be very proud of his performances over the weekend and like Michael I am sure results will start to go his way sooner rather than later. Both Josh's (Buchanan and Lind) were unfortunate to find themselves at the back early on in the race and with the wind making it difficult to move up they soon found themselves out of contention and ultimately progressed through to the B final.
In the B final Josh was determined to redeem himself after the unfortunate start line mis-clip in the heat and he rode a stellar race to finish in the top 10. The wind had picked up even more by this stage and the commentator was heard to report that it had reached 50km/h. The group strung out single file early and with the leaders riding in the gutter it was only a matter of time before riders starting dropping off. Josh rode good position early on before gradually succumbing to the pace just before mid way in to the race. However he dug deep and went into solo TT mode to continue to chase the seven leaders. Several riders behind were trying to catch up but just werent strong enough to bridge to Josh or the leaders. With 7 minutes remaining he started to gain ground on the leaders and with two laps to go was barely 20 metres from regaining contact, however the leaders spotted him and picked up the pace to start their final kick to the line. In the end Josh finished a very credible 8th.
Next up were the U17 women, with Lucy Kirk, Kate Huckstep, Maddy Marshall and Allison Rice had steely looks of determination as they took to the start line. The tactics for this race were pretty clear, stay out of the wind, keep towards the front and make it tough for their opponents. It only took a few laps but all four of our girls had managed to work their way into the front group on the road. Beyond this the race was shattered with lone riders circling with big gaps between them. About 10 minutes in to the race Lucy Kirk made her way to the front and hit the nytro riders were seen scrambling for wheels. A lap later and the damage had been done with several more riders unhitched from the main group, leaving the remainder of the girls to fight it out for the win. At this stage most states were down to lone riders, with the exception of South Australia who had two and in the end it was these girls who took the initiative and drove the pace in the final laps. Yesterday's road race winner Emily Roper found herself boxed in and too far back as they headed down the back straight for the last time, however Allison had followed her brothers lead and grabbed 3rd wheel through the bone. Coming into the straight it was a wall of riders all across the track sprinting for the line, with at Tassie girl claiming a good victory and Allison finishing just one place out of the medals in fourth.
The last race of the day was the U17 mens final. Phil Jermyn was the sole ACT representative and he was in perfect position straight off the start line. However the boys were determined to make it a tough race and it turned out the warp engines were in overdrive and the race blew to pieces in the opening laps with a SA rider joining Friday's TT champion, from Vic, in a 2-up breakaway. With a team mate in the break 3 Victorian riders then nullified and chases and it became a race in two, with the Victorian rider taking the win.
All up it was an fantastic weekend for racing for ACT junior cyclists and they have done themselves proud. Please join with me in congratulating them on their efforts and we look forward to more great results in the future.
--
Jason Mahoney
ACT Junior Team Coach