Be Active Cycle Instead Criterium Series - NE

Perth, Australia, January 2, 2002

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Race 1 - January 2: Leederville (Oxford and Carr Streets), 7.30pm-8.30pm

Eastern States Cyclists Lead In Leederville

By Renae Woodhams

Nic Brown leads Graeme Brown
Photo: © Tom Kroyer

The first race of the Be Active Cycle Instead Criterium Series saw record crowds line the streets of Leederville to witness one of the most challenging circuits in the four-part world class cycling series.

New South Wales cyclist, Steve Williams, led home a strong field of 44 riders to win the W.J. Moncrieff Leederville Loop, ahead of Brett Aitken (SA) and Mark Renshaw (NSW) with local favourites Daniel Mackey, Jason Rigg and Nic Brown claiming minor placings.

The early stages of the race saw defending Sprint King Graeme Brown break away strongly taking out the first Sprint Lap showing the form that won him the prestigious title in 2001. But Henk Vogels, who returned from the US to take part in the Series, did not let the Sprint King keep his crown and opened up a commanding 30 second lead which at its peak reached 240 metres.

Vogels maintained his impressive lead and with the support of the crowd spurring him on, for more than half an hour looked unbeatable. However, with 20 minutes remaining he was challenged by Williams, Mackey, Renshaw, Nic Brown Jason Rigg and, within a lap, was swallowed back into the chaser group. Cat and mouse tactics saw the lead change every few metres in the final laps of the race before Williams made his move.

A crash on the northern corner of the course saw defending Overall Champion Hilton Clarke Jr fall, eliminating his chances of retaining the coveted yellow jersey.

With just five laps to go and in a clever tactical display, Williams - who for most of the race rode unnoticed in the back of the pack - broke away strongly to open up an unbeatable 20 metre lead, despite valiant sprints by Aitken, Renshaw and Mackey in the final stages.

"This is one of the toughest courses in the Series," Williams said. "It's a fast paced course with tight corners and I knew I had to be the first to break in the final laps if I was to be a serious contender. I'm looking forward to maintaining form tomorrow night."

The first race of the Be Active Cycle Instead Criterium Series saw just 18 riders finish from a starting field of 44, demonstrating the complexity of the course and the intensity of the Series.

The Siena's Caffe Peter Watson Mile, which ran ahead of the cycling event, saw the 2001 Australian 1500m champion, Clint Mackavicious (NSW), take out the race with Alistair Stevenson (QLD) second and Anthony Parish (QLD) third.

The Be Active Cycle Instead Criterium Series continues tomorrow night in Victoria Park from 7.30pm with Henk Vogels Jr riding in the Sprint King green jersey and Steve Williams wearing the Overall Champion yellow jersey.

The Be Active Cycle Instead Criterium Series is a "Best on Earth in Perth" event. For more information on riders, races and courses please visit www.perthcriterium.com.au.

Photography

Images by Tom Kroyer

Henk Vogels resplendent in his new Navigators kit
Henk Vogels bike he used for the series
Henk Vogels chats to the competition
Wayne Van Moorsel of the Kirke Securities team
World record holder Pete Dawson from team WAIS
Mark Renshaw - another World record holder riding for FRF Couriers
Graeme Brown - yet another world record holder, riding for the Bikeforce
Graeme Brown and Pete Dawson being interviewed by Gary Suckling prior
Phil Riemann showing off the sponsor's jersey
Graeme Brown swaps his bike for the podium girls
The pack listens to the race marshall
Wayne Van Moorsel puts on his race face
Graeme Brown and Phil Riemann lead the pack through the start
A relaxed Pete Dawson before the start
Graeme Brown caught between two WAIS riders
Pete Dawson leads Graeme Brown to the start/finish line
Nic Brown leads Graeme Brown
Henk Vogels and Hilton Clarke on a breakaway from the main pack
Henk Vogels pushes hard on his solo charge
Henk Vogels out of the sa5le, extending his lead on his mid race solo
Graeme Brown leads the chase pack through the start/finish line
The large crowd urges on the 'Local Boy'
Henk Vogels is caught by chasers Brett Aitken and Mark Renshaw
Steve Williams on the bell lap
Steve Williams Crosses the line for first place
Steve Williams celebrates his win
Henk Vogels shows the effort of his solo charge
Steve Williams interviewed by Gary Suckling
The podium - 1st Steve Williams, 2nd Brett Aitken, 3rd Mark Renshaw
Henk Vogels in the Green Jersey of Points leader
Steve Williams in the Yellow jersey
The champers flies

Results

1 Steve Williams (NSW) Caravello Joinery
2 Brett Aitken (SA) Be Active - Cycle Instead
3 Mark Renshaw (NSW) FRF Couriers
4 Daniel Mackey (WA) WAIS
5 Jason Rigg (WA) Kirke Securities
6 Nic Brown (WA) Apex Rentals
7 Henk Vogels (WA) WA Sports Centre Trust
8 Peter Dawson (WA) WAIS
9 Tony Mann (Qld.) Visionary & National Estate Builders
10 Jarrod Poad (NZ) Visionary & National Estate Builders
11 Damien Cranage (SA) Apex Rentals
12 Phil Riemann (WA) Kirke Securities
13 Ryan Suckling (WA) Kirke Securities
14 Jonathon Davis (NSW) FRF Couriers
15 Wayne van Moorsel (WA) Kirke Securities
 
Green Jersey Sprints
 
Sprint No.1
 
1 Graeme Brown (NSW) Bike Force Australia
2 Nic Brown (WA) Apex Rentals
3 Henk Vogels (WA) WA Sports Centre Trust
 
Sprint No.2
 
1 Henk Vogels (WA) WA Sports Centre Trust
2 Graeme Brown (NSW) Bike Force Australia
3 Daniel Mackey (WA) WAIS
 
Sprint No.3
 
1 Henk Vogels (WA) WA Sports Centre Trust
2 Graeme Brown (NSW) Bike Force Australia
3 Jonathon Davis (NSW) FRF Couriers
 
Sprint No.4
 
1 Henk Vogels (WA) WA Sports Centre Trust
2 Steve Williams (NSW) Caravello Joinery
3 Nic Brown (WA) Apex Rentals
 
Final Sprint
 
1 Steve Williams (NSW) Caravello Joinery
2 Brett Aitken (SA) Be Active - Cycle Instead
3 Mark Renshaw (NSW) FRF Couriers
 
"Be Active - Cycle Instead" Criterium Series classification
 
1 Steve Williams (NSW) Caravello Joinery                          15 pts
2 Brett Aitken (SA) Be Active - Cycle Instead                     14
3 Mark Renshaw (NSW) FRF Couriers                                 13
4 Daniel Mackey (WA) WAIS                                         12
5 Jason Rigg (WA) Kirke Securities                                11
6 Nic Brown (WA) Apex Rentals                                     10
7 Henk Vogels (WA) WA Sports Centre Trust                          9
8 Peter Dawson (WA) WAIS                                           8
9 Tony Mann (Qld.) Visionary & National Estate Builders            7
10 Jarrod Poad (NZ) Visionary & National Estate Builders           6
11 Damien Cranage (SA) Apex Rentals                                5
12 Phil Riemann (WA) Kirke Securities                              4
13 Ryan Suckling (WA) Kirke Securities                             3
14 Jonathon Davis (NSW) FRF Couriers                               2
15 Wayne van Moorsel (WA) Kirke Securities                         1
 
Fondriest & Live Clothing Sprint King classification
 
1 Henk Vogels (WA) WA Sports Centre Trust                         10 pts
2 Graeme Brown (NSW) Bike Force Australia                          7
3 Steve Williams (NSW) Caravello Joinery                           5
4 Nic Brown (WA) Apex Rentals                                      4
5 Brett Aitken (SA) Be Active - Cycle Instead                      2
6 Mark Renshaw (NSW) FRF Couriers                                  1
7 Jonathon Davis (NSW) FRF Couriers                                1
8 Daniel Mackey (WA) WAIS                                          1
 
Teams classification
 
1 WAIS                                                             26 pts
2 Kirke Securities                                                 19
3 Apex Rentals                                                     15
4 Caravello Joinery                                                15
5 FRF Couriers                                                     15
6 Be Active - Cycle Instead                                        14
7 Visionary & National Estate Builders                             13
8 WA Sports Centre Trust                                            9