Last Sunday afternoon saw the Peel District Cycling Club’s riders and some of the state’s best criterium racers taking on the unique Wellard Village circuit as part of the Ring Series.
With most of the circuit on brick paving, including the uphill finish in the middle of the shopping strip and some tight technical corners it was going to be challenging afternoon of racing.
With only four riders, Women’s B-grade was going to be either an easy race or a brutal race, with no inbetween.
It was brutal, with an early attack by Sarrah Burrows putting Catherine Zainudin into difficulties and gapping Danica Wiggins and Jenine Leppard.
A couple of laps later Wiggins attacked and Burrows chased hard.
The pair were together for the final couple of laps before Wiggins sprinted away on the finishing straight for the win.
The B grade mens race was fast and frantic as riders tried to establish a break.
Nobody got away, and while there was attrition, it was less than other races.
It was all about position on the tight circuit with those on the front of the bunch at the bell contesting the sprint after a very fast lap.
Eddy Hollands took the win ahead of Craig Denham and Mark Matear.
Women’s A-grade saw Emily Mascaro constantly trying to get a break and the other six riders dragging her back.
In the end it was a bunch sprint, which saw Natalie Britz power away from the field in the uphill finish to take the win, with Mascaro second and Liz Burrows third.
After six aggressive laps in the men’s A-grade it was Michael Freiberg who got a break.
Conor Leahy saw the danger and quickly jumped across to Freiberg and the pair worked on establishing a lead.
The Bennelong Swisswellness team decided they wanted two riders in the break and attempted to launch Anthony Giacoppo across.
It failed the first time as three riders covered his attempt, but Giacoppo tried again, got free alone and then spent four laps riding across the gap.
The trio worked well and established a lead of more than half a lap over a disorganised peleton.
Giacoppo attacked with a lap to go and managed to catch the bunch as they crossed the line for the bell.
Freiberg was not far behind second and Leahy held on for third.