Image: Ian Hutchings While summer might have been on the way out, there was a sting in the tail as Round 18 kicked off with track temperatures in the high 40s and very little wind to offer any respite. Seldom troubled by the conditions, however, the Juniors took to the HC with casual indifference and little diminution in their attacking spirit. Starting one lap up on scratch riders Lachlan and Hamish Copeland, Alex Steele rode strongly to stick with scratch deep into the race and keep his one lap lead largely intact. Repeat accelerations from Lachie weren’t enough to dislodge Alex, although di ..read more

Photo: Ian Hutchings Round 17 of CCC Summer Crit was again blessed by the weather gods with clear skies, mild temperatures, and a slight head wind down the back straight just to make life interesting. A small turn out in the Junior HC didn’t stop the excitement as several of the Junior Whites combined to ride a TTT against Alex Steele and Valentin Torres-Schmidt who started with one and two laps respectively. Over five laps, Alex and Valentin put up a strong showing but were eventually reeled in on the final corner. Winners regardless, the change in format proved a fun alternative and still go ..read more

Photo: Ian Hutchings With Round 16 doubling as Club Champs, there was plenty on the line for everyone who turned out to race, not the least of which was the chance to earn double points and move up the overall rankings. In the Junior HC, Lachlan Copeland lived up to his reputation as the biggest of the little engines with a huge ride from scratch to chase down everyone in front. But despite the strong showing, it was Quinn Peppinck who ultimately proved the wiliest latching on the Llachie’s wheel early and coming round him in a perfectly timed run to the line to grab the victory. Valentin Torr ..read more

Image: Ian Hutchings Round 14 – the Pride Round – of the Summer Crits kicked off with perhaps the most difficult wind conditions of the season so far. A strong westerly, making its presence felt from the bottom of the track right through till well into the home straight was sure to prove a major test with splits almost an inevitability. In the Junior HC, newcomer Valentin Torres-Schmidt fooled everyone, most notably the handicapper, and was never seriously challenged in riding away to a maiden victory on debut. George Williams had to put up more of a fight to keep a charging Lachlan Copeland a ..read more

Crit Presentation Night 7-9pm Thursday 21 March 2024 Verandah, Alivio Tourist Park 7-9pm Thursday 21 March 2024 Verandah, Alivio Tourist Park Following the AGM join us for a social evening at Alivio’s Verandah where we recognize the achievements of our riders and volunteers during the crit season. We will present season medals and other awards.  Please register here for catering – we’re shouting all attendees to a pizza buffet ..read more

Photo: Ian Hutchings Hot and humid conditions greeted riders who were making their return to racing after the Christmas break. George Williams looked to press his four lap advantage in the Junior HC pacing himself nicely to stay clear of Quinn Peppinck who put up a valiant and determined chase behind. Alex Steele managed to hold on for third a little further back. D Grade got underway swiftly with Junior Whites Hugo Williams and Zach Thomas well represented near the front of the bunch. Daniel Gowling was a relative constant in driving the pace through the opening stages along with Patrick Doan ..read more

Photo by Ian Hutchings Proper summer conditions greeted riders for Round 9 of Summer Crits, the threatened storms failing to materialise taking with them any chance of a cool reprieve. The Junior HC was misleading by both name and nature on this occasion with all riders instead lining up for a scratch race. With 10 minutes on the clock, the initial laps involved some cagey riding with Lachlan Copeland and Barney Mungoven both trying to get away without success. Alex Steele, meanwhile, showed true grit after being dropped to tap out a solid tempo and claw his way back into contention on several ..read more

Photo: Ian Hutchings Clear skies and warm conditions hid the deceptively tricky conditions for Round Six of Summer Crits, a strong north-westerly biting hard down the back straight in particular. With longer racing across all grades, the sense of nerves was palpable as respective Grades awaited their respective turn in the hurt locker. The Junior Handicap was a race in two with the Copeland Brothers and Quinn Peppinck starting from Scratch in an attempt to chase down Barney Mungoven and Alex Steele who started with half lap lead. Both units worked nicely together but with an extra rider, the o ..read more

Photo by Ian Hutchings Round 5 of CCC Summer Crits kicked off under the watchful eye of the race Commissaires as they monitored the steady build up of storm clouds overhead. With the rain holding off and lightning skirting to the south, racing got underway with the variable conditions adding another dimension to the nerves being felt on track. The ever-improving Copeland brothers took on the rest of the field in the Junior HC, starting from scratch to try and ride their quarry down. Rolling turns, Hamish on Lachie managed to reel in several riders but had their work cut out pulling back Quinn ..read more

Still and balmy Spring conditions greeted riders once again for Round Four of crits with numbers up across virtually all grades.  The Junior HC took place on a modified course that saw riders taking in the climb before scooting through the cut out to avoid collarbone altogether. Quinn Peppinck started alongside the scratch riders, albeit a lap up, craftily sitting in their wheels for as long as possible to both round up those in front and make the task of catching him as difficult as possible. Lachie Copeland was eventually able to dislodge Quinn around the half way mark and ride clear o ..read more