Perth criterium series - NE

Perth, January 25-28, 2008

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Stage 3 - January 27: Day 3

Beating the heat

The heat was scorching as the riders tackled the tricky Victoria Park course, but the yellow jersey was the hot topic as the race leaders changed in all contests.

Support men

The support men again began the racing and after Sean O'Neill's exciting win yesterday, the pace was on from the start to throw O'Neill from his current reign with Team Budget driving from the front. The team tactics played into their hands as the field was split into two with O'Neill in the chase group and Van der Togt in the break. Just as the field looked set to regroup, Van der Togt, Rory Murray and Jonathon Dunlop jumped again to form a three man break away. Continual efforts from Team SRG riders Andrew Dawson and O'Neill proved fruitless as the rest of the group hung on, not seeing any gains from bridging the gap.

Dunlop timed his sprint well to edge out Van Der Togt, but second place was all Van Der Togt needed to claim the yellow jersey. Team Budget rider Michael Frieburg avenged his second place yesterday by winning the bunch sprint for fourth.

Women

The women's race also proved to be interesting with Emma Pooley looking to separate herself from joint pink jersey holder Sharon Suckling. Camille Pallett made the biggest move of the day and rode strongly in the stifling heat to keep the group away until the last lap.

Clare Morgan and Leeanne Manderson also went out on their own to chase down Pallett, but were swallowed up after the hot lap. After trying to shake her competitors on numerous occasions, Pooley eventually succeeded as the two lap call was made. Sarah-Jean Fraser was the only one to throw down a challenge, working hard to break from the group and remain within striking distance of Pooley but not managing to pull her back. Suckling went with Fraser before dropping off and Sarah Kent powered past, looking strong after a big performance yesterday. Pallett was rewarded for her solo efforts and managed to hold on for third much to the crowd's delight.

When asked what her forecast was for the final day of the series tomorrow, Pooley was quick to quip, "It's going to be sunny, isn't it?"

Elite men

The men's race was one of epic proportions with two titans of the sport, Matt Illingworth and Cameron Meyer going head to head, leaving the rest of the field bewildered.

Nathan Jones and Michael Fitzgerald made an early break, before Matt Illingworth went into time trial mode and went past them like a steam train. Meyer was ready his chance to shine in the series after maintaining a fairly low profile as team mate Adam Semple claimed minor placings. Meyer and Todd Francis used a quick, reactive sprint to chase down Illingworth who looked like making a similar break as he did Friday night.

The strength and speed of Illingworth and Meyer was too much for Francis who was dropped off fairly quickly. Adam Semple wasn't ready to let go of the series and broke away before French cyclist Guiome Soula and Luke Durbridge joined him to make what would be a powerful group.

Yesterdays winner Ben King allowed Cyclemania team-mate Travis Meyer to surge off the front with ten minutes to go. There was little reaction from the group and Meyer performed courageously, riding solo to try catch the trio ahead of him.

Meanwhile, Cameron Meyer and Illingworth would not give up an inch, taking turns to get further ahead of the main bunch before lapping them in the final stages. With little reason for the bunch to go on, Rider's Choice primes were offered for three laps in a row to inspire some exciting sprints. These were taken by Eddie Hollands, Guiome Soula (chase group), Brad Hall and Joel Pearson.

The start of the bell lap saw the two riders come to a near standstill each waiting for the other to make a move. Illingworth surged in the final lap to gain ground on the track specialist, but it was Meyer who showed patience and strength in the hot and windy conditions to sprint past Illingworth in the final 50 metres and take first place.

A royal battle was developing close behind as Semple, Soula and Durbridge gave the dying metres everything to claim third place. Durbridge produced a huge finish to take out third ahead of Semple, who had done enough to steal the leaders jersey from series leader Joel Pearson.

Racing will conclude tomorrow in Leederville with the action set to be red hot. Only two points separate Semple and Pearson and only one point back to Cameron Meyer. Who will rise to take out the series tomorrow?

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

Images by Troy Coulthard/trievents.com.au/perthcrits

The field negotiate the tight hotdog style turn at the Vic Park circuit.
Matt Illingworth (Glen Parkers) and Cameron Meyer (Cyclemainia ) broke early and eventually lap the main bunch.
Cameron Meyer (Cyclemainia) takes the win.
The main bunch could not chase down the break and was eventually lapped.
Emma Pooley takes (Team Specialized) wins today and takes the leaders jersey.
The point leaders after race 3 with the town mayor.

Results

Men support

1 Jonathon Dunlop
2 Van der Togt
3 Rory Murray

Women 

1 Emma Pooley
2 Sarah-Jean Fraser
3 Camille Pallett

Men

1 Cameron Meyer
2 Matt Illingworth
3 Luke Durbridge