NEWS FLASH 17 Dec 2014 – The Crit Training will not happen tomorrow night. It is the SPRoolers social night.

The training will not happen formally over the Xmas / NY period. It may or may not return in early 2015 as there is the Wednesday night criterium races at Claremont showgrounds.

Dave

Summer time is crit time! Criteriums are a great fun way of getting into bike racing. Starting THIS THURSDAY 6th of November, there will be dedicated weekly criterium training. El Prez has found and tested a small loop in a light industrial estate in Canning Vale. The course is smooth and fast without technical corners.

The address is Mordaunt Circuit, Canning Vale. Hopefully, there is a link to the google maps page here. If driving, try to park off the actual circuit.

The start/finish point is on the eastern side and the route is anticlockwise shown. Repeat until nauseated.

The ground rules are:

1. 7pm start
2. 10 min warm up then 30 min hard training followed by 5 min warm down. (we may change the duration depending on feedback)
3. Everyone must have both front and rear lights that DO NOT FLASH
4. If it rains, then it is cancelled
5. Normal road rules apply as the route is not closed and the corners are not marshaled.
6. Short cut is allowed if dropped but you must give way when rejoining

See you there this Thursday, except the lucky TOMR riders who will have to wait until Thursday week!

The summers most anticipated cycling event, Smashfest Crit Series, is on again at Tech Park in Bentley. It is jointly presented by SPR and Roues Chaudes CC.

There are 4 races on consecutive Sundays starting 16th of November. More information is here.

For the first time this year, there will be races for both individuals and teams in Mens A & B grade. The teams are 4 riders made up from a squad of up to 10 riders.

In addition, there is a big focus on Women’s riding with dedicated Women’s A/B & C/D races. It’s a great opportunity for the curious to try bike racing!

SPR has been kindly allocated a number of men’s teams and we need riders to fill them!

If you are interested in racing in the teams and are committed to riding at least 3 of the 4 races, put your name in a comment and your preferred grade (A or B only) or email race@southperthrouleurs.com.au .

If there are more than 4 “squad” members available to race, then the remaining riders will have, at this stage, priority entry into the individual race. We plan to rotate the squad members during the season.

Of course, you must be an SPR member, have a race license (or 3 day pass) and wear club kit!

Just to kick things off, I’m gonna nominate for A grade and get smashed! Who’s in with me?

All hail… the race committee has spoken. Congratulations to the following riders who have been selected to represent SPR at the 2014 ToMR. Well done and good luck!

The teams have been selected based on club and race participation rather than pure “ability”. The riders are also subject to change within the teams as training progresses. Each team has a nominated “reserve” rider who will ride if another rider has to withdraw prior to the tour. Based on last year’s experience, there is a high likelihood of the reserve riders being called up. The race committee understands that some members may feel disappointed but please remember that demand again has exceeded supply.

SPR 1
Pete Mah
Ben Godridge
Matt Wardynec
Patrick Saccani-Williams
Dan Bain
Mark Edmiston
Reserve – Danny Berry

SPR 2
Julian Johnson
Ben Oakes
Craig James
Justin Stephenson
Jordan Brock
Simon Millichip
Reserve – Ben Jackson

SPR 3
Jason Gordon
Greg Murray
Phil Davidson
Darren Shanahan
Jay Richardson
Warwick Garth
Reserve – Jason Robbshaw

SPR 4
Andrew Levalds
Andrew Williams
Jon Hanson
Graham Hoskins
Liam Walker
Mark Tancell

SPR Women 1
Anna Schwartz
Anna Massey
Kizzi Neale
Meghan Thomas
Anke Hoskins
Emma Goodwin
Reserve – Emma Gillard

SPR 2
Leigh Outschoorn
Janice Graham
Sarah Smith
Katheryn Dines
Helen Jones
Laurensia Rosana
Reserve – Lesley Burch

Details about payment and training requirements will follow.

Without doubt, the Tour of Margaret River (ToMR) is the best event on the WA cycling calendar for amateur racers. As you can see from club members’ experiences last year (blog posts here, here, here & here) , it is the highlight of the year. The event has it all… several days of great racing, stunning locations, rubbing shoulders with cycling royalty and fantastic club camaraderie. I remember flogging myself in a break away, being cheered on by the SPR support and having a helicopter hover close by for a very long time.

This year, SPR will once again take the ToMR by storm. At this stage, we have been kindly allocated 4 male teams and 2 women’s team, each of 6 riders. We want you to fill those teams!

The tour starts with a team time trial on Thursday 6th November. The results from this determine which category your team will ride in. Following that there is a race each day through the Margaret river region. Day 2 finishes with a nasty climb to the Augusta Golf Club, Day 3 has 2 short stages and the final race on Sunday is a fast and furious Kermese in Cowaramup with sprint points and time bonuses. While there is something for every racer, 4 days of consecutive racing is very hard and shouldn’t be considered lightly. More information can be found on the TOMR website or facebook page. The entry fee is $300 per rider plus accommodation.

Places on the SPR teams are hotly contested. You must be a SPR member and be able to commit to the whole 4 days (Thursday-Sunday). The race committee also expects/demands that people selected for TOMR will race lead up races including the Pickering Brook series race 3, Dardanup Tour, Pinjarra Classic, West Coast Masters races and Peel Districts Races. Consider the commitment that is involved.

The “all powerful” Race Committee will select riders based on the following:

• Participation in SPR weekly rides
• Participation in races, especially if wearing SPR kit
• Participation as a Saturday Ride Leader
• General participation within the club

Teams will be made up of a variety of abilities so it will not be a matter of four teams of fast group riders will get entry.  In principle, the 4 men’s teams will comprise of fast, main 1, main 1 and main 2 riders.  If we know that you are a fast group rider and the team is full, then you do not get to knock a main 2 rider out just so you can race.  The women’s teams will be made up of a fast/main 1 team and a main 2 team.

If you want to participate, please email race@southperthrouleurs.com.au to register your interest. The only person who is guaranteed a spot is el Prez. Please include which SPR Saturday group you ride with and your Strava profile name if you use it. Teams will be decided in late July/August to give people plenty of time to train.