RCCC Round 1
This first round of the Roues Chaudes CC summer criterium series kicked off with an absolute cracker of a Sunday morning. A near perfect forecast of 29 degrees was welcomed by over 200 riders & spectators down at the Radius Loop Circuit in Bayswater.
The junior A & B grades had a terrific first turnout, with a number of new young cyclists racing their very first race! Junior B grade had 7 riders on the start line. The benefits of having one race licence for multiple cycling disciplines was on show today with riders competing from a combination of clubs and disciplines (BMX, MTB & road).
What a lineup!
Junior B - 10 mins + 2 laps
The race began steadily as the riders got a feel for the course. The wind was a strong headwind on the finishing straight whilst the back straight had the kids finding the limit on their small gear ratios! After a number of laps a few riders were distanced. Young Annabel Atkinson from Wanneroo BMX Club worked very hard to stay in touch. If this race was 45-90 seconds in length I have a feeling she may have put the other boys in difficulty! None the less she did a great ride in her first criterium. At the front of the race it was Hamish McGillivray from the Midland Cycle Club who gapped the field and won with a tidy margin. The race for the remaining podium positions saw a battle royal between the rugby superstar Casey Berthelsen and the two Thompson brothers Zac & Zeb (who will now be referred to as the Z-Boys), Zac managed to take second place whilst Zebb & Casey (pictured below) went full drag race mode to the line where Zeb nabbed the third place by half a bike length.
Casey’s father Adrian looking very worried he may now be the #2 sprinter in the Bertherlsen leadout.
Not a bad day out for the Thompson family filling up the podium. II have been told Casey Berthelsen was pretty happy about his 4th place in his very first race and could not stop talking about the race all the way home. That is what its all about!!
Great effort from all 7 riders on the start line!
Final Results - Junior B
Hamish McGillivray (MCC)
Zac Thompson (RCCC)
Zebb Thompson (RCCC)
Junior A - 10 mins + 2 laps
Junior A started with 4 riders, I noted the two X-Speed riders early and wondered if they would work together to try and shake the tough competition beside them. As they rounded the first corner, they displayed excellent retention of the commissaires instructions by quickly asking how long the race was. Luckily one of the riders knew it was 10 + 2 and the race was on. Tahlia Murphy took up the work on the front early trying to lift the pace. Fresh off a great ride on Friday night at the Westral Carnival, I’m sure she was feeling confident. After 3-4 laps, Jordan Watkins (image below) who was competing in his very first race moved to the front and began to lift the pace. Campbell McDowell reacted and quickly got on his wheel. The fierce pace began to show and the gap opened up. As Jordan drove ahead, Tahlia & Campbell worked together well to try and limit the damage.
A nod to the Drapac-Jaguar days - Watkins solo off the front.
As Jordan Watkins’s lead grew to half a laps length, Campbell McDowell showed why he is the reigning U/11 State Champion and attempted to bridge across solo to Jordan.
The state champion on the move
The gap did come down to about a quarter of a lap between the front two riders however, Jordan found another gear and kicked on, eventually winning by just over half a lap back to Campbell and then some further distance to Tahlia who battled on after doing a ton of work early in the race. Kudos to Nick Wilkins who despite being dropped from the lead three, time trialled well to stay in touch and finish 4th.
Final Results - Junior A
Jordan Watkins (RCCC)
Campbell McDowell (MCC)
Tahlia Murphy (X Speed CC)
If you love the action of the criterium racing and are looking for a fun junior group training session check out RCCC’s Thursday night training session in Kings Park - 5:45-6:45.