Gold Coast cyclist Craig Morley best adaped to the conditions and won the weekend’s Byron Bay Cycling Club criterium despite getting a puncture while out in front.
A and B grade were combined to keep things competitive and this led to an interesting race with some of the stronger riders trying to break away but being run down by the bunch.
Morley did make a small break at the about the three-quarter mark and it looked like it would stick, but he punctured his back tyre.
After a one lap mechanical timeout he changed wheels and re-joined the race only to open up another lead that proved to be a winner.
Carl Wilkin and Connor Gibney, both from the BBCC, sprinted strongly to secure the minor placings.
Connor also claimed the Prime Lap award.
In C grade the racing was no less competitive with pace varying a lot as some tactics were used to try to split the bunch.
At one stage a small bunch from C grade overtook B grade only to find the pace a little too hot and disappeared back to the main C grade bunch!
In the end it came down to the final sprint and Christian Saurine showed his strength in only his second criterium to secure first place with Neil Scott (BBCC) second and Matt Bone (BBCC) taking third. Christian also took out the Prime.
The riders in D Grade did their own thing and rode well together until the final stages where Cameron Johnston (BBCC) got the jump on the bunch to take first and Jeff Finnigan (MCC) came second.
Racing reassumes on March 25, with sign-on from 6.30am onwards.
The details are available on the BBCC Facebook page.
