Ritchie Duncan
A great individual effort saw Andrew Crawley from Sydney win the major event at the Byron Bay Cycling Club’s race day last Sunday.
Thanks to lower numbers A and B grades were combined leading to some pain for the B graders.
Andrew Crawley (Manly Warringah CC) made a solo break away after 15 minutes and stayed away with a great individual effort. The remaining riders stayed together until the final lap when Adam Taylor sprinted away for 2nd place. I managed third.
The riders displayed great sportsmanship keeping the group but Anthony Condon showed he was a true gentleman on the final straight.
C Grade was a competitive affair with relentless attacks from Nick Ruane and Nick Smith from the start.
Stuart Heath and Neil Scott attempt to rein them in and worked together to form a new breakaway. But they could not keep it up and the two Nicks broke away together and worked to take 1st and 2nd places in a tight sprint with Ruane getting his nose in front.
Third place went to Peter Fairfull (Grafton Cycling Club).
Congratulations to Chloe Butt on a great maiden criterion entry to racing.
After the event Nick Ruane was seen in discussions with the handicapper after solid performances in the criteriums of late and the rumour is he may be moving up to B grade!
A big thank you to the volunteers who controlled the corners and to Steve Slee who did a great job as commissar! The races do not happen without them.
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