The national criterium championships were held over a course even more boring and less scenic than the road race: two 500m straights separated by one U turn and a small loop, all at the rear of Sydney's Darling Harbour. Spectator numbers were fairly small, with most tourists and visitors obviously unaware that anything was happening away from the waterfront.
Since the nephew had been piggy-backed most of the way to the course, the women's race had already been underway for a few laps by the time we arrived, and the pack had already been whittled down to a bunch of 20 remaining at the front. Anna Wilson and Charlotte White were at the head of affairs for a few laps, with the pace averaging about 1'35" for the kilometre circuit. Cathy Reardon and Kim Palmer then had a turn and there was a fall at the top end of the course which didn't appear to do much damage or take any other riders out of contention.
Kristy Scrimgeour turned up the pace and had a go at the front, and on the next lap Liz Tadich was driving with Lyn Nixon, obviously none the worse for winning the road race, and looking exactly the same. Kirsten Richards and Hayley Hugh were dropped off the back.
One lap to go and it was Charlotte White, Lyn Nixon and Emma Puchet at the front, but at the sprint for the line it was Kristy Scrimgeour from Liz Tadich and Anna Wilson. On the podium Kristy said her win in the 24 km race was "unexpected".