Perth criterium series - NE

Perth, January 25-28, 2008

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Stage 4 - January 28: Day 4, Leederville

Thrilling end to a great weekend of racing

Men support

There was no need to hold back in the final race, the riders laying all their cards on the table for the latte sippers and gelato lickers lining the streets of Leederville.

Jordan Van der Togt, the yellow jersey holder in the support race, knew he had to keep an eye on those close to him in the points tally to win the series title and glued himself to the rear wheel of champion triathlete Sean O'Neil. Half way through the race, Michael Kent (Cyclemania) made a big move which O'Neill was ready for and surged to go with him. Van Der Togt also covered the move and the three formed a strong breakaway group which would not see the main bunch again.

The excitement to follow would prove crucial to the overall series ranking, with O'Neill and Van der Togt duelling to finish on top of the series leader board - O'Neil needing the win to have any chance of toppling the current leader Van der Togt who needed to finish within one place of O'Neill to stay on top.

The final few minutes proved to be dramatic - Van der Togt flatted and wasn't allowed to rejoin the race, as they were in final five laps. Then in the last lap, Kent over shot the sharp left hand corner putting himself and O'Neil into the barriers. O'Neil flatted and was left to run for the finish line. By this stage, it was too late and the main bunch caught them with Raf Baugh jumping away from the main group taking first place, Jayson Puls winning the sprint for second over Dan Gooch.

Van der Togt had enough points to just retain the series lead, with team-mate Michael Frieburg in second and Raf Baugh lucky to slide into third place in the absence of points for O'Neil.

Women

The women's race went more to plan. Emma Pooley, demonstrated her immense class against the tough WA competitors who took it to her every day of the series. Jessica Allen was impressive, riding off the front and holding her own for many laps - picking up four primes in the process - before the peloton engulfed her in the final five minutes.

Pooley, a professional cyclist in England put the hammer down in the final laps and rode away from the group in style, leaving the other riders to battle it out for second place. Sharon Suckling again demonstrated her sprinting prowess, overpowering the others to take second with a fast finishing Davina Summers taking her first podium place for the series.

Pooley's win confirmed her series win while Sharon Suckling was consistently strong to take second and Sarah Fraser rounded out the top three.

Open men

The open men's race was just as nail biting with only three points separating first from third, the yellow jersey was on Adam Semple's back with Joel Pearson ranked second and Cameron Meyer in third.

The Cyclemania team tactics were evident from the first laps as Travis Meyer jumped clear of the bunch. Hilton McMurdo and James Spragg quickly jumped across to him, leaving the Atomic Brooks riders to try to bridge the gap for Joel Pearson.

A second break formed with two more Cyclemania riders including series leader Semple and Pearson. After gallant efforts throughout the series, it was no surprise to see young gun Semple make a solo move from this group to join the front break. Semple was keen to leave a lasting impression on the race pulling turns with Meyer to ensure the break was never in doubt.

A solid chase group formed behind them with Cameron Meyer, Pearson, Eddie Hollands and Nathan Jones which was a wise move as the lead group lapped the majority of the field including the main bunch.

The effects of previous days of racing seemed to go unnoticed by Semple as he surged past the group, setting up a game of 'catch me if you can' for the other riders. Meyer was able to respond and caught Semple after a lap, while McMurdo dropped behind and Spragg looked ready to call it a day. For the Cyclemania team-mates, the race was working out perfectly.

Meyer was too strong in the end, taking the sprint from Semple, both pumping their fists and enjoying their wins. Semple was humbled by his win, proving he would not only be a star of the future but a good sportsman at that.

"We did have a plan for today, we had a couple of cards to play and it really didn't matter who won from the team," Semple said. "Cameron and I were both in the top three so it didn't matter who won because we work as a team, we rely so much on each other."

"Cam and Trav have eight world championships between them, Ben King was second in the longest race in the world 'Warnambool' and then you have Matt Illingworth who is one of the strongest time triallists in the world," said Semple. "It hasn't sunk in yet, it is just surreal that I won against those guys because they are really high calibre cyclists."

Behind Semple, Cameron Meyer beat Pearson to take second in the overall points leaving the Cyclemania with the first two riders overall. Pearson took third after some big performances in the first two races.

Photography

For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here

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

Travis Meyer (Cyclemainia) wins the stage with Adam Semple (Cyclemania) 2nd to take the win of the series.
Team Cyclemaina L-R Cameron Meyer, Adam Semple, Ben King and Travis Meyer had a great weekend.
Big crowds turned out to watch the last race around the streets of Leederville WA.
Emma Pooley takes (Team Specialized) wins today and takes the leaders Jersey.
Jordan Van Der Togt (Budget Forklift) takes out the series win for Support Men.

Images by Brett Russell

Tyson Lawrence (BikeForce) on his way to another top 10 finish.
Travis Meyer (CycleMania / South Australia.Com) in the thick of the action.
Matt Illingworth (Glen Parker Cycles) leads the bunch out of a corner.
Nathan Jones (Atomic Brooks) back in Perth after a strong ride in the National road race earlier in the month.
Eddy Hollands (Glen Parker Cycles) leads Ryan Suckling (Yes Optus).
Riders strung out through the roundabout in Leederville.
Adam Semple (CycleMania / South Australia.Com) leads the main break of the day.
Travis Meyer (CycleMania / South Australia.Com) and Adam Semple (CycleMania / South Australia.Com) prior to riding away with the race to secure first and second place
Series leader Adam Semple (CycleMania / South Australia.Com) looking strong in the closing laps.
Matt Illingworth (Glen Parker Cycles) missed the break in today's race, but rode strong throughout the whole series.
Adam Semple and Travis Meyer rode away from the rest of the field today, with Travis winning the race and Adam winning the series, (both riders flew out at midnight to the Tour of Wellington).
Eddy Hollands (Glen Parker Cycles) and Nathan Jones (Atomic Brooks) looking forward, perhaps to the pub on the corner which awaited them after the race.
The women fight for position in the final race of the series.
Melissa Hoskins (Henk Vogels Cycling Foundation / JETS) working hard out of the corner.
Emma Pooley (Specialized) leads Sarah-Jean Fraser (Eddy Hollands Bicycle Services) prior to wining the final race and the series.

Results

Elite men


1 Travis Meyer
2 Adam Semple
3 Cameron Meyer
4 Joel Pearson

Women

1 Emma Pooley
2 Sharon Suckling
3 Sarah Fraser

Support men
1 Raf Baugh
2 Jayson Puls
3 Dan Gooch