The final race at 'Arctic Park'

Photography by Justin Britt

Introduction by Gerard Knapp

Every city has its favoured crit circuit, the place which always gets the strongest fields, including the pros and their friends who've come home for a rest but still feel like a hit-out. At Waverley Park in Melbourne, Australia, riders such as former world number one Anna Millward would race and keep the men honest, while many current and past national champions have turned up for an afternoon blast against quality fields. The fields would normally cater for four grades, providing an outlet for cyclists of all levels.

But Waverley Park is to be no more. It was a criterium circuit living on the fringe of an area used for the dominant ball-sports code in that city, known as Australian Rules Football. Due to its exposed location, it also earned the name 'Arctic Park', a place where the dark storm clouds and cold winds would blow in off the coast.

For local cyclists, who learn to ignore such things if they want to race, the network of roads around the large ground and facilities provided an excellent and safe criterium circuit, but the ground is to be demolished in the name of progress.

Melbourne photographer Justin Britt captured this photographic essay on the very final day of racing at this popular city circuit.

The last day of racing at Waverley Park - report.

Tell all the people Photo: © Justin Britt	Riders on the storm Photo: © Justin Britt	Runnin' blue Photo: © Justin Britt
Break on through Photo: © Justin Britt	Waiting for the sun Photo: © Justin Britt	Soft parade Photo: © Justin Britt
Do it Photo: © Justin Britt	Easy ride Photo: © Justin Britt	Summer's almost gone Photo: © Justin Britt