By Toby

The South Perth Rouleurs were out in force today!  The NDCC hosted the crit on Innovation Drive in Wangara on a day where the conditions were close to ideal for racing – slightly overcast and not too hot.

The days proceedings started with B-grade at 8:00am.  Paul O and Lisa lined up among a pretty strong field.  I will leave those guys to fill in the race details but there were definitely a couple of events that stood out from a spectators point of view.  Firstly, Lisa found the going a little hot and decided to come and join the majority of the SPR crew in C-grade.  Secondly there was a rather nasty crash in the home straight on the last lap.  No ambulances were called thankfully, but the sight of wheels flying 25m in the air was pretty spectacular.  Finally, Paul finished safe in the leading bunch – which was a relief  to see him escape the carnage.

The C-grade squad lined up next and there was an almighty display of green SPR kit on the front of the grid.  Among those who started was Julian, Jason, Josh, Mino, Dan, Todd, Dave, Matt, Lisa and myself. (Apologies at this point if I have missed someone/misspelled a name etc).  There was a slight drama just before we rolled out as Josh blew a tyre on the warm-up lap.  Luckily Jason doesn’t go anywhere without multiple bikes and offered up his spare.  The race started as expected – with a gradual increasing of the pace for the first lap or two.  A couple of guys tried going off early.  Lisa put in the first SPR effort and wheeled in a lone ranger in the early stages of proceedings.  It wasn’t long before the NDCC young guns started trying to get off the front.  Within quick succession two of them were disappearing into the distance.  Josh called for some SPR muscle of the front and Dan, Julian, Josh and myself did some work on the front to keep the escapees a manageable distance up the road.  The time quickly ticked down and before I knew it we were approaching the final stages of the race.  As the pace quickened the escapees were quickly reigned in.  With two laps to go it was clear that it was coming down to a sprint finish.  Josh, Jason and Julian positioned well at the front of the pack for the last lap.  Unfortunately Dan and I got a bit mixed up and drifted about 15 bikes back through the second to last corner.  We punched it down the outside of the side straight but couldn’t make up many positions.  Triple J hit the final corner pretty hard and motored up the final straight.  Julian got a good lead out from one of the seasoned riders in the bunch.  Dan faded and swang out of my way and Jason keep powering down the inside.  About 400m out from the finish Josh pulled off to the side – apparently the loan bike wasn’t quite up to the sprint.  Julian managed to get up for the win, Jason claimed fourth and I came through about 10th.  Three SPR guys in the top 10 was pretty awesome to see.  Special mentions for Dave and Mino who both finished strongly and are starting to find some form.

A-grade was up next and SPR was represented by Matt U and Nico.  Graham Brown decided to front up for some training in the Rabobank colours.  The field was split into about 3 groups.  Our boys didn’t make the break into the leading group and were split into the two different chase groups.  I will let them fill in the details, but it did look pretty fast from the sidelines.   Matt U looked like he finished pretty strongly but just missed out on the money.  The smart money was on Brown for the win, and despite needing a wheel change in the middle of the race he took line honours pretty comfortably. But – we do have photographic evidence of him hurting (guilty pleasure seeing a pro working for his prize money!)

Thanks to Lisa and Julian for bringing spare jerseys – I sure they were all returned (or will be returned washed shortly).  Also thanks to Josh for bringing the cold drinks and homemade muffins for post-race carbs.  Good day had by all.

Quick thanks as well to my mate Jonathan who took the photos for the club.