Recently on Cyclingnews.com |
 Mont Ventoux Photo ©: Sirotti |
Results and Reports from Australia
Promoters wishing to submit results should send them to Cyclingnews
Bike Force Criterium
Perth, Western Australia - Sunday, February 4, 2007
By Brett Russell
|
Large fields lined up in both the support and main race again today on Perth's Swan River foreshore. Large crowds were also on hand to watch the day's racing which followed the City of Perth Triathlon, featuring some of the nation's top triathletes.
Support Race (40 minutes + 1 lap)
The support race got off to another quick start, due to the attacking style of some of the state's top juniors coming through the ranks. These guys obviously don't want the race to come to a bunch finish, although with the speed they appear to have in their legs, they are bound to succeed in most situations.
|
Up and coming rider, Luke Durbridge attacked in the opening laps and gained time on the field. Coming straight across to him was young Jordan Van der Togt who put in a solid performance today. The duo worked hard for a number of laps before eventually being caught by another hard working duo of Andy Brierly and Emma Pooley. Emma amazed the crowds with her ability to not only stay with the front three but put in a solid turn most laps into the howling head winds.
The remainder of the bunch was splintered into a number of smaller groups all doing their best to survive on a touch circuit with strong winds and a haze of smoke in the air from bush fire burning out of control around Perth.
As the race came closer to the end, the two juniors, Jordan and Luke started attacking. This put some pressure onto Emma Pooley, who at one stage lost contact, but she never looked like giving up and managed to reel the front three back in again much to the crowds delight.
With 1 lap to go of the 1200 metre hotdog circuit, Emma put in a brave effort and attacked the other three, however it was to no avail and she was caught and by this stage had spend all her energy, leaving her three breakaway companions to fight it out for the finish. Jordan Van Der Togt put in a brilliant sprint finish to over power Luke Durbridge and experienced campaigner Andy Brierly, with Emma Pooly coming in a few seconds back for fourth place. The remainder of the riders all came in their respective bunches to finish another hard day in tough conditions.
Bike Force Criterium (50 minutes + 2 laps)
|
Another quality field lined up for the main race of the day, thankfully by the start of the race the smoke was clearing thanks to the strong winds, although I'm not sure which the riders would have preferred, the smoke or the wind.
Just like the support race, the race got off to a quick start with riders all eager to stay near the front to keep out of trouble. Within ten minutes Ben King and Ryan Suckling decided to dish out some pain and attacked the field. They gained a sizeable lead before the chase begun. With the pace being quick from the start as well as the gail forced winds, many riders were already showing the signs of what would be a tough day in the office. Again the chasing bunch began to splinter as riders tried to bridge the gap to the two leaders, who by this stage had got into a steady rhythm swapping turns.
Halfway through the race it was clear that Ryan and Ben would not be caught, it was at this stage top Perth cyclist Eddy Hollands decided it was time to salvage what was left of the positions up for grabs. Joining him was one of the visiting riders from the Netherlands (apologies for not getting his name), these two put in a serious effort and worked well together, but never looked like catching the two leaders.
Late in the race a man that is never far from the action Hilton McMurdo who was perhaps feeling the fatigue in his legs after a tough Tour of Siam in Thailand, put in a solo effort to bridge to team mate Eddy Hollands, however it was to no avail though as he was reeled in by the bunch - who at this stage were resigned to the fact that they would now be sprinting for fifth place.
The bell was rung indicating one lap to go and the two leaders fought out a tough finish with the experienced Ryan Suckling taking a comfortable win over the relative newcomer to A grade, Ben King. Not so close was the sprint between Eddy Hollands and his Dutch breakaway companion, with Eddy just getting third place with a lunge to the line.
All up it was another two great races held on a great circuit that really made the riders work hard and put on a good show for the crowds.
Photography
For a thumbnail gallery of these images, click here
Images by Brett Russell
- Bush fires around Perth made for a "smokin" race day.
- Brett Stapleton (Riders Choice) leads the field in the opening laps of the support race.
- Luke Durbridge on the attack almost immediately.
- Luke Durbride (Midland CC) and Jordan Van Der Togt (Midland CC) set up the winning break.
- Garth O'Leary (Elite Racing) avoids the danger, as a rider falls in the background.
- Emma Pooley (Elite Racing) leads the break in a gutsy ride that saw her finish in 4th place.
- Jordan Van Der Togt (Midland) takes the win from Luke Durbridge (Midland) and Andy Brierly (Melville Fremantle CC)
- Ben King (CycleMania) leads Ryan Suckling (Bike Force) through as they establish their breakaway.
- Hilton McMurdo (Glen Parker Cycles) leads the chase, with last weeks winner Wim Botman (Netherlands/CycleMania) following.
- Gavin Parsonage (TBE) chases with team mate Wayne Van Morsal (TBE) close behind.
- Windy Conditions saw the field splinter into smaller groups
- Ryan Suckling (Bike Force) going hard out of the saddle.
- Eddy Hollands (Glen Parkers) - focused.
- Some riders found this a much better place to see the action.
- Eddy Hollands (Glen Parkers) on his way to 3rd place.
- Ryan Suckling (Bike Force) takes the win, from Ben King (Cycle Mania)
- Eddy Hollands (Glen Parkers) just gets 3rd place.
- Ryan Suckling - happy to get the win on a tough day.
Results
Bike Force Criterium (50 minutes + 2 laps) 1 Ryan Suckling 2 Ben King 3 Eddy Hollands Support Race (40 minutes + 1 lap) 1 Jordan Van Der Togt 2 Luke Durbridge 3 Andy Brierly 4 Emma Pooly
