Dirt Crits Monday 12 Oct
Junior Dirt Crits started back Monday 12th October and eighteen eager riders turned up. Once registrations were sorted the riders set off in two separate groups for a one lap time trial. A number of the riders showed considerable improvement in their times and their riding ability. Once that lap was done a rough handicap was worked out on their one lap times and they all raced another 2 laps. Max Next week Damian Grundy will take the race.
The Seniors turnout was a little smaller but the racing was nevertheless highly competitive. The first handicap for the new season saw some very close finishes within the field, however Adam Baker at the front was a clear winner by slightly more than a minute to Rachael Grundy in 2nd place and Dave Empey in 3rd.
Other results: 4th Bruce Halket, 5th Will MacDonald, 6th Jem Davies, 7th Dan Friday, 8th Mike Davies, 9th Ollie MacDonald, 10th Peter Coffey, 11th Will Grundy, 12th David Bock, 13th Ethan Lee, 14th Matthew Empey, 15th Alex Green and 16th Kian Lerch-McKinnon. Sadly, Brett Stevens was a DNF due to a mechanical failure.
The MMBCC encourages all riders to come up and have a go. The courses aren’t too intimidating and the handicapping is designed to match race distances and time differences to each rider’s abilities in order to give all competitors a chance for a win at least every now and then. The emphasis is very much on fun and fitness. We would especially encourage females to come up and have a go.
For novice riders there is the possibility for some coaching and technical guidance, just ask at race registration.
Kids racing starts at 4.30 with registration from 4.15 onwards and seniors race at 6 with registration from 5.45pm.
Little Rippers start again on Monday the 19th. This is for prospective mountain bikers who are still on a balance bike! Riding starts at Riflebutts Reserve at 4pm.
Kian's big Saturday
While Kian may have finished last at Monday night's Dirt Crits, he had a reasonable excuse.
On Saturday he headed to the You Yangs for the Yowie; and won!
Then he jumped into the car for the drive to Bendigo, got there 30 minutes before the start and promptly won the State Schools MTB Final.
Great job by Ross for all the driving!
Then on Monday he had to ride all the way from Ancona to Mansfield to race Dirt Crits! I bet he slept well on Monday night! (He made up for it on Thursday night though…)
Graded Scratch Thursday 15 Oct
The second round of the Mansfield Mt Buller Cyling Club’s Summer road series was held last Thursday on the Buller road in perfect cycling conditions.
Twenty one starters fronted up for the graded scratch event with A Grade heading off first. It didn’t take long for Josh Hopwood to get restless and attack off the front. Reeled in twice, his third attempt was successful but it wasn’t long before Kian Lerch-MacKinnon made his own move on the long hill up to Hearns Lane. Interviewed after the race, Hopwood noted that, “I looked back and suggested we form a team but by the time I’d said that, Kian had passed me and was well up the hill on his own.” Eventually the peloton reeled in Hopwood but with a level head, Kian stayed well clear of the field earning a solid win. A bunch sprint decided the minor placings with Josh edging out Tom MacMunn for second and third place.
B Grade had a relatively uneventful trip out and back with Craig Wilson’s mechanical issues being the only point of note. The sprint finish was well contested, however, with Will MacDonald leading from “a mile out” and was able to hang on to reserve a tentative spot in A Grade with a good win. David Jagger judged the bunch well and placed second with David Bock coming a close third.
C Grade separated early on with Di Condie riding well out the front. Geoff Jones was pursuing doggedly and further back were Tony Morris and Christie Hamilton. Nearing the end Di looked back and was surprised to find Geoff quietly sitting right on her wheel. Tactically reversing the situation, Di dropped back before a good sprint finish saw her take the win over Geoff with Tonyplacing third and Christie Fourth. The evening finished well at the Delatite Hotel with presentations, dinner and appropriate rehydration.
The club welcomes anyone who is interested in having a go at racing or cycling in general. With Graded and Handicapped formats, the level of experience, equipment and fitness becomes less important plus it’s a great, social way to keep fit! Check out the club’s website at mmbcc.org.au.
This week’s race is the first of the handicapped races on the Whitfield Road. SMS John on 0428 50 34 37 by 8pm Wednesday to enter.
A-Metre-Matters becomes law in SA
Further to the recently announced trial of 'A Metre Matters' laws for two years in the ACT, South Australia has this week adopted it as law! Great news for South Australians. But what about Victoria?
The Victorian Minister for Transport is Jacinta Allan and our local lower-house member is Cindy McLeish... in case you think 'A Metre Matters' would be a good idea here too.
Finally, with the 100th Melbourne to Warrnambool on this weekend, here are a couple of good articles on the world's second oldest road race. Click here and here.