Be Active Cycle Instead Criterium Series - NE

Perth, Australia, January 2, 2002

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Race 1 - January 2: 2004 Australian Open Men's Criterium Championships, Joondalup

Brown claims Australian criterium crown

By Tracey Tilsed

Nic Brown (WA)
Photo ©: Bruce Hunt

Western Australia's Nic Brown held off a fast finishing group of riders to claim the Australian Open Men's Criterium Championship at Joondalup, north of Perth.

Twenty four year old Brown, from the hills suburb of Gooseberry Hill, led the field into the bell lap and looked to be heading to an easy victory, holding a five-second lead as the field headed down the back-straight for the last time. However as Brown headed to the finish line and started to celebrate his victory, a fast finishing chase group almost caught the West Australian. Aaron Kemps from Queensland took second place, while Uruguay's Hector Morales finished third.

Many of the field failed to finish the hour-long race, with most falling victim to the strong headwinds in the back straight. Fifty seven riders crossed the starting line and by the half-way stage of the race, 34 remained in contention for the title.

Most of the race saw riders go around the circuit in close formation. A few breakaway attempts were made in the early stages, only to be chased down, or for the breakaway riders to be caught up by the field within a couple of laps. The riders not only had the strong winds to contend with but also an ambulance, who headed down the wrong side of a traffic island, sirens blaring and lights flashing, causing some confusion amongst the riders. By the halfway mark, some riders were looking weary while others started to make their move.

The winning move came at the 45-minute mark of the race when Aaron Kemps, Chris Sutton and local riders Andrew Sime and Edie Hollands opened up a 12 second lead over the chase group. Holland, who initiated the move, and the rest of the group started to work together in an attempt to hold off the remaining field.

As the lead group continued to work as a team, WA's Nic Brown set out with 10 minutes to go to chase them down. His move was followed closely by attacking moves by Tasmania's Nathan Clark, Uruguay's Hector Morales and Jarrod Poad from New Zealand. All four riders caught up with the lead bunch.

The leading bunch of eight riders lifted the pace and continued to build on their lead as the race headed to the final stages. With two laps to go, the lead group had a 14 second gap over the remaining pack, ensuring the eventual winner would come from this group of riders.

Brown decided to make his move and broke from the lead group opening up a five -second lead as he crossed the line for the final lap before leading the remaining riders home to claim his first national title.

Brown was clearly ecstatic at his victory. "That was unbelievable. About time", said Brown. "It has taken 13 years of riding to win a national title and it is an incredible feeling. I want to thank my mum and dad, and family for all of their support."

Brown's previous best result had been third in the same event last year and Brown now hopes his victory will help him to earn a place in a professional team in Europe. "I am back home now and I have no team to go away with to Europe. I hope my win will help to get me into a good team", Brown said.

As for nearly being pipped at the finish line, Brown said he didn't realise how close the field were in the final stages. "I had no idea how fast the guys were coming up behind me."

Brown heads into the Be Active Cycle Instead International Cycling Series full of confidence and as a favourite to take honours in this year's event.

Last year's winner Peter Dawson finished in ninth place, while last year's runner-up, Andrew Sime crossed the line in seventh place.

Photography

Images by Bruce Hunt/www.idealcycles.com

David Betts (Qld) navigates carefully
Nic Brown (WA) heads for victory
The bunch cruises the Promenade.
Peter Dawson Andrew Sime & Leon Vogels (WA)

Results

1 Nic Brown (WA) EliteM
2 Aaron Kemps (Qld) M23
3 Hector Morales (URU) EliteM
4 Edmund Hollands (WA) EliteM
5 Chris Sutton (NSW) M23
6 Nathan Clarke (Tas) M23
7 Andrew Sime (WA) EliteM
8 Jaaron Poad (NZL) M23
9 Peter Dawson (WA) M23
10 Joel Pearson (Vic) M23
11 Luke Roberts (SA) EliteM
12 David Betts (Qld) EliteM
13 Hilton McMurdo (WA) EliteM
14 Ryan Suckling (WA) EliteM
15 Mark Jamieson (Tas) M23
16 Rhys Sherborne (WA) EliteM
17 Kieran Cameron (NSW) M23
18 Caleb Manion (Tas) EliteM