RCCC Round 4
Welcome back to the fourth edition of the RCCC junior race report! Sunday’s weather was terrific for bike racing, the wind dropped in the early stages of the morning and the temperature was in that sweet spot. We had a few new faces on the course this weekend which is always great to see. Some of our Junior A graders have graduated into the open racing (Jordan Watkins, Tahlia Murphy) which is brilliant to see their progression. A big thanks to Jess Allen who chaperoned Junior B grade and gave some helpful racing advice to the kids. Jess is a Pro Cyclist for the newly named Womens World Tour Team- Team BikeExchange.
Junior B - 10 mins + 2 laps
An interesting start to the morning for last rounds winner Zeb Thompson who crashed on the ride out to the crit with his brother Zac and his dad Chris. A quick stop at the paramedics on course who patched him up and he was ready to roll on the start line. Gee those kids are tough down at the Thompson cycling factory. A line entry introduced a new rider to our junior B grade, young Shannon Fitzsimmons racing in the Glenn Parkers kit. Boy did he shake things up!
Junior B grade was lucky enough to have Jess Allen as their chaperone for the race. The kids were pretty excited about this as they set off for their race. The usuals were all there, Declan Dyer, Annabel Atkinson, the Z Boys & Hunter Murphy.
Fitzsimmons on the attack
Shannon Fitzsimmons was aggressive all race, animating the race with plenty of attacks, Hunter Murphy, Zac and Zeb Thompson were the only ones who could follow as the race split up heading into the final few laps. Declan Dyer and Annebel Atkinson were chasing hard and worked together brilliantly with Jess Allen to try and close the gap.
In the final few laps we were left with only two in front, despite his attacks, Shannon Fitzsimmons could not shake the reigning B grade champion Zeb Thompson.
Shannon Fitzsimmons on the move, not shaking the B grade reigning champ.
As they rounded the final corner, I witnessed the best sprint of the season. Brute power vs tactical race nous. Who wins? Both have their day. Shannon came around the corner first with Zeb in his wheel as the headwind blew stronger. Shannon then displayed some terrific race nous, letting Zeb through to lead out the sprint, at first i thought he had just been out gunned and Zeb would storm to an easy sprint victory. Boy was I wrong. Laying off Zeb by a half a bike length, Shannon waited, and waited before launching his sprint at the last moment. Wheel to wheel like a couple of Mercedes on turn 1, they dragged to the line only for Zeb to kick again! Zeb found another gear to nab the win in an exciting finish. Absolutely brilliant. Young Hunter Murphy came in just behind in third place.
Another brilliant race and terrific victory to Zeb Thompson.
Final Results - Junior B
Zeb Thompson (RCCC)
Shannon Fitzsimmons (?)
Hunter Murphy (X-Speed CC)
Kudos to the Junior B graders who raced their guts out!
Junior A - 15 mins + 2 laps
7 starters took to the line on Sunday. Young Portia Vogel was the sole female in this race, she looked completely in her element on the start line. Old foes Chase Haines and Campbell McDowell lined up next to each other whilst Daniel Jones (Black kit) took to the start line for the first time this year at RCCC.
The line up - Daniel Jones gets the style points for that coordinated kit.
The race set off with all eyes on Campbell McDowell, the reigning champ from last week and the current U/11 Criterium State Champ. The wind had picked up and as they covered the first few laps, each of the riders traded attacks and took turns on the front.
The first few laps were at a social pace…
This kicked them into gear and the pace begun to rise, only slowing slightly as they turned into the headwind finishing straight. The wind was blowing a howler and none of the racers were keen to spend too much time on the front. Sensing a lull in the pace and the bunch’s reluctance to lift the pace in the finishing straight, Casey Bertherlsen launched a huge attack. Gaining a good gap with his quick acceleration and putting Nick Wilkin in difficulty.
The current WA U/11 Criterium champion Campbell McDowell was first to respond to shut the move down, with Tahlia and Ben Scott quickly on the wheel. Hamish McGillivray rallied to get back on terms and did so on the back straight.
As the race came down to the final 2 laps, it was Campbell who launched a big attack right on the finish line, only Ben Scott was able to follow whilst Tahlia tried to ride back to the wheel at her own tempo. On the final lap, with Ben Scott in his wheel, Campbell attacked again right on the finish line, finally distancing Ben Scott. Meanwhile Tahlia was closing in
Tahlia Murphy and Ben Scott rallied together to try and pull Campbell back on terms, but it was not enough. Campbell McDowell turned into the final straight and held his lead to win Junior A grade. Tahlia charged home to drop Ben Scott and take a hard fought second place with Ben Scott trailing in third. Hamish, Casey & Nick came in shortly after with an exciting sprint for the final placings..
Final Results - Junior A
Campbell McDowell (MCC)
Tahlia Murphy (X-Speed)
Ben Scott (MCC)
Well done to each of the junior competitors who raced on Sunday. The junior categories are proving a huge success. Spread the word about this great racing series as there are still plenty of racing to come. No special equipment required, just a bike and a helmet. Zebb and Zac Thompson both raced in normal shoes - this says it all!
See you all next round
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.