RCCC Round 5
Welcome back! We are up to Round 5 of the RCCC junior criterium racing series. Sunday’s racing was some of the most aggressive and dynamic we have seen so far this season. WA’s World Tour professional Jess Allen (Team Bike Exchange) returned to offer some tips and take on chaperone duties. We also had two new faces to the RCCC racing scene, Max & Andy Brown. They rolled up in fresh GB Coaching kit and were ready to cause some damage.
Junior B - 10 mins + 2 laps
Lucky 7 on the start line this week. Could Zeb Thompson make it three in a row? Hunter Murphy looked determined to break his streak and surely, Zac wanted a piece of his brothers glory. Archie Smith was back as was Declan Dyer to shake things up. It was quite a race.
Lights out and away we go!
The race set off and instantly it was an orange and white kit straight to the front, no mucking around. On his RCCC debut Max Brown was on a mission. Max looked at home on the front, keeping the pace high enough to string out the bunch for several laps.
Lap after lap it was a repeat of Max Brown lifting the pace, stringing out the bunch and swinging off, looking for someone else to touch the front. Zeb Thompson was playing his cards smartly, always sitting in the wheel saving energy. Young Archie Smith and Declan Dyer were both distanced towards the end of the race as the surges in pace left just three in front with Zac Thompson sandwhiched in the middle of both groups.
Coming into the final lap it was Hunter Murphy who launched an attack on the back side of the course, he got a gap into the final turn of the race (pictured above) putting daylight between himself and Max Brown. However, Zeb Thompson was as calm as ever and slowly drew back into the slipstream of Hunter on the final straight and launched his sprint over the top of Hunter to claim victory #3 in a row! Hunter held on for second place whilst Max claimed third and a podium spot in his first RCCC junior crit. What a race!
Terrific victory to Zeb Thompson again this week - A grade is calling.
Final Results - Junior B
Zeb Thompson (RCCC)
Hunter Murphy (X-Speed CC)
Max Brown (Perth MTB Club)
Kudos to the Junior B graders who raced their guts out!
Junior A - 15 mins + 2 laps
Another 7 on the start line with the new addition of Andy Brown to the RCCC A grade line up. Campbell McDowell has been a force to be reckoned with recently, winning two on the trot. At the Graeme Brown GravelCross event earlier in the year, Andy Brown won the junior race ahead of Campbell - I was ready for a showdown. Speaking of showdown, at the RCCC Thursday night junior training, Casey Berthelsen has been throwing down some big efforts during our sprint training - would he be cashing in? What about young Portia, battled on nicely last week, this round it seemed she had a World Tour ally to call on - Jess Allen. Look out!
Both Brown boys took the #1 fence position during their A & B Grade races - no accident there.
The race begun and very much like the beginning of B grade, it was Andy Brown mimicking his brother, driving the pace at the front. The bunch was lined out immediately and demonstrated some great staying power by Andy Brown.
Controlling
The headwind on the finishing straight was picking up and beginning to take a toll on the lead rider Brown, who swung off eyeing the bunch “Any chance of turn crew?” - Andy didn’t say that but gee, i was thinking it. Then -
Whack
Campbell McDowell launched just after the finish line from fourth wheel. A steep acceleration that instantly created a gap that only Daniel Jones could follow.
A well timed attack as it was just as Andy Brown had swung off - the riders looked at each other before Jess Allen stepped in and showed them what was required. Jess began to pull for the second group - talk about gun for hire! The chasing group got organised and began to take turns chasing the leading duo, who had 1/4 of a lap advantage.
Portia & Jess Allen working hard together
Andy Brown, Casey B, Chase Haines and Ben Scott worked well together for a few laps but the headwind was taking its toll. Meanwhile in the break, Daniel Jones was pulling some massive turns into the headwind only to soon be distanced by Campbell McDowell with 5 minutes to go. Campbell loves to go solo - and solo he went. Daniel Jones fell back to the chase group where Andy Brown was doing the brunt of the work - it was some effort!
Oh yes - what a shot.
Despite the chasing groups efforts, it was not enough. Campbell extended his lead to 1/3 of a lap and won convincingly - like Zeb, for a third time in a row.
Andy Brown sprinted to a well earned second place whilst Chase and Casey B battled out for third whereby Casey waited until late to pip Chase to the line. Kudos to Casey who secured his first A grade podium!
Final Results - Junior A
Campbell McDowell (MCC)
Andy Brown (Perth MTB Club)
Casey Bertheslen (MCC)
Brilliant race by all - one of the big ones is this Sunday - the Aus Day Crit.
See you there.
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.