We had fourteen racers turn out tonight for the second last Crit of the season.
We almost cancelled tonights crit as we only had two volunteers for the corners. At the last minute Jesse Manner stepped up and stood on the corner of Meredith and Tulsa in Iain Hays flip-flops to allow the race to go on. As thanks Jesse along with our other two marshalls, Graeme and Autumn, have all been entered into our Draw for some sweet prizes from our Sponsors. Prizes like an Easton EC90 wheelset or a shiny new matching set of Helmet and Shoes from Arrowsmith bikes or some snazzy Sugoi wet weather gear from Coal City Cycles.
The pace started slow with two neutral laps to ease into the race for the benefit of our Junior riders like Max making his first appearance this year. After that the pace jumped up sharply with lap times dropping from 2 min down to a minute 38 on our 1.1km course.
At ten laps in things got interesting with Iain Hay attacking off the front and gaining a 5second lead. He held the pack off for two laps before being dragged back into the bunch. Where he remained for another lap before flatting and having to abandon the race.
On Lap 17 the bell was rung for the prime which went Nathan Walsh from RDR with the Grant brothers, Mark and James, close behind him. While the pack did get quite strung out after the prime, they quickly regrouped with no one looking to take advantage and attack as we quite often see.
On Lap 21 newcomer Harry Reddin attacked off the front opening up a ten second gap. Sensing that he was no threat the rest of the riders let him sit out front in the wind by himself before slowly reeling him back in.
With 8 laps to go James Sage and Sean Lunney poured on the gas and with the help of Nathan Walsh opened up a sizeable lead pulling away a little further with each lap until they had a 20 second lead with four laps to go. Realizing what was happening the main bunch started working together to try and reel them in. With one lap to go the gap was back down to 4 seconds but by that time it was too late and the three riders were in the clear for a sprint finish which went to Nathan Walsh by less than half a wheel.
Thanks to all the riders for coming and thanks again to the volunteers who come out to make these races happen.
Full Results here
Next weeks race will be the final race of the season. Double points and double primes. Come out and race or come out and cheer. Either way Come out and have some fun.
