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Norwood CC Criterium Series #11
Regency Park, SA, January 27, 2004
Cool and very, very windy conditions welcomed the riders after a week of watching the Tour Down Under. Over 100 riders fronted again for local racing. If a better format is offered to the local cyclist, maybe they will support other events, let's see who is smartest next year.
A large field of E grade riders saw their grade split into two bunches in the windy conditions. The front group were just too strong for this grade and most will find themselves elevated a grade next race. New rider Michael Schneider easily took the win.
D grade did much of the same, having a relatively quiet race except for female first year under 19 rider Bianca Rogers, putting in some fast turns of pace. Matt Grimmond lived up to his word and convincingly took the win over Rogers in a fast sprint.
C grade saw new rider Scott Maney of Central Districts take the win in his grade.
B grade was characterised by a bunch full of smokeys who are all about to ignite. This certainly was the point when all the sprinters filled the placings. It's amazing how some of these riders have swiftly moved through the grades. With the tough conditions, the endurance riders tried in vain to break away. Daryl Margrate of Bianco Cycling Team and Matt Stephens of the Northern Territory, both first year junior under 19 riders, made the biggest effort of the race, with both deserving of a place after an early break and staying away for quite some time. It was easy pickings in the end for Todd Rolton to take the win over new sensation Daniel Kelsh, soon to make A grade.
A grade was a very fast pace, despite the conditions. A lack of concentration early in the race saw three riders come down hard with Rio Coffee rider Mat Rex taking the brunt of the fall and losing a bit of skin. Again all efforts of the endurance riders were a waste as the bunch stayed together. In the sprint, unsponsored rider Chris Luxton flew past Alan Gill to take the win. This is now the ninth placing Luxton has taken in A grade this season and has moved himself into the top ten in both consistency points awards. Overall Luxton is currently rated second best elite criterium rider in South Australia.
Results
A Grade 1 Chris Luxton (unsponsored) 2 Alan Gill (Polar Heart Rate Monitors) 3 Russell Williams (UK) 4 Ben Biggs (Mittiga/Norwood Parade Cycles) 5 Nick Underwood (Fairmont Homes B Grade 1 Todd Rolton (Bicycle Express 2 Daniel Kelsh (unsponsored) 3 Stuart Cathcart (unsponsored) 4 Michael Ward (Bernie Jones Cycles) 5 James Ross (JT Cycles Brighton) C Grade 1 Scott Maney (unsponsored) 2 Mark Davies (unsponsored) 3 Darcey Bates (unsponsored) 4 Giac Cirillo (unsponsored) 5 Thom Edwards (unsponsored) D Grade 1 Matthew Grimmond (unsponsored) 2 Bianca Rogers (Bicycle Express 3 John Kah (unsponsored) 4 Jake Edwards (Glenelg Cycles) 5 Craig Lienert (unsponsored) E Grade 1 Michael Schneider (unsponsored) 2 Paul Wainwright (unsponsored) 3 Andrew Fon (unsponsored) 4 Tony Brennand (unsponsored) 5 Gino Delfino (unsponsored)
