MIVA BOXWOOD CRITERIUM 120522

MIVA BOXWOOD CRITERIUM, MAY 15TH. 2012 40 minutes plus 5 laps

Weather cool with a stiff breeze.

During the first few laps, a number of the stronger riders, including Sean Lunny, Shepherd Stewart, Ray Wagner, Mike Sevcov and Kirby Villeneuve tested the waters with turns at the front but the first real attempt at a break occurred on lap six, when Iain Hay and Paul Thompson stayed away for a couple of lepsonly to be brought back just before the first prime. This was won by strong man Ian Smith who cruised off the front with half a lap to go.

He was soon joined by Lunny and Wagner but within a lap, the pack was all together again. Ray jumped again almost immediately and this time took Mike Sevcov with him. The duo managed to stay out front for the next three laps but the pack realised that these were two strong riders and hauled them in well before the second prime.

The bunch stayed together for the next three laps,and then, just after the bell, Ian Smith pulled away from the rest and took the prime as easily as the first. A chasing group composed of Jonsma, Wagner, Thompson and Lunny bridged to him and the quintette stayed away for just over a lap, picking up a lapped Phil Birrer in the process.

This group stayed away for the next five laps, Smith taking the third prime at two laps to go and then the Smithsonian missile put the hurt on the rest and opened up a ten second gap in the last lap, with only Sean Lunny rising to the challenge.

At the line, it was Ian Smith cruising in solo, with a totally-spent Sean Lunny at five seconds with Menno Jonsma winning the third place sprint from Ray Wagner and Paul Thompson.

All agreed it had been the fastest and most enjoyable Tuesday nighter this season.

It should be noted that youth rider Brodie Hay rode really well tonight and after he was originally lapped after staying in the pack for fifteen laps, managed to finish ahead of three of the seniors.

Charlene Hay as the only woman competing, scored maximum points and managed to stay for a couple of laps in the bunch each time they lapped her.

Thanks to Al Henderson for registration set-up and bell/lap board duties and to Iain and Brodie Hay for Course set up and take down.

Results checked and verified with Contourroam video camera. Frame numbers coming soon!