7/5 SMSP Race Report

Another successful race at Eastern Creek on Saturday 7th. Thanks to Marconi CC for helping us put on a great race, The Odd Spoke our race series sponsor, and Nutriscience for their "supplemental" prizes also. (boom tish)

Prep for the race started much earlier in the week, with a call out for volunteers for the day and a last minute printer failure quickly solved to make sure that everything was set for the day. The volunteers were at the Raceway in the dark, setting up the sign on desk and making sure the track was clear.

Thanks to the guys also who supported the social rides which still managed to go ahead with minimal disruption to the riders. Great work as it is just as important to keep the social side of things going for us as it is the racing.

As the sun began to rise through the haze riders prepared for the race, warming up on the track whilst the audience and commissaires hung around trying to find ways to keep warm! We kicked off just after 7am with 117 racers, from A to E grade.

Everyone seemed intent on a positive race, with spirits high as they took off. Standing on the sideline, the wind came up everytime the groups went past and we would have to spend the next few minutes warming up again. It wasn’t until half way through the race that we started to defrost!

A solid effort in E grade, with three competitors holding their own and fighting it out. Mandy was back on the track for the first time in 20 odd years, can’t wait to see her progress over the next few months. Well done to Belinda for her amazing sprint efforts which brought her home. Anthony Pope bought a day licence online and wasn’t it worth it, taking out 4th place behind Carrie McCromick and Mathew Want despite a very tough day in the saddle.

D Grade was a tight finish, with quite a few people in the running right up until the end. Quite a few NWSCC newbies including Ian and Mad Mark, who apparently learnt quite a lot about having to pace yourself and don’t let the others make you do all the work. Ray Vella sprinted for the win, Dave Hazzard took out the Prime and 2nd place, and Andre Vanderhyde completed the podium.

23 C graders started the race, with NWSCC member and OneBody man Enoch Lam taking out the Prime, but not managing to hold on for a podium. First place to Peter Tononcelli from Marconi, followed very closely by Paul MacFarlane and Albert Alonso from LACC.

The biggest grade was B, with 47 riders vying for the podium. David Moore attacked early and stayed away in a break of 3 for handful of laps, but came back before the prime. A tightly fought race, with Tom Brown taking out first, followed closely by Sylvester Zust and Alan Biddle, with our Diego Morales taking out the Prime.

A good turnout considering the other events on meant 26 racers in A grade, with a breakaway happening within the first couple of laps. Whilst there were a few stayers on that breakaway, we did see a few people try and reel them in, including a eye opening bridge from our sprinter Terence Howes, aided by Ollie Rainbow! Sadly it didn't stick but Nash Kent made it across at the end, 4 racers coming down the straight for a sprint finish amongst themselves. Alex Nazarewicz managed to hold on to first position, followed very closely by Eddie Salas. Matt Smithson, who had kindly spent an evening earlier in the week with our racers, showed everyone how to race well, coming in for third place. NWSCC's Craig Sinteur took out the Prime, continuing his strong form.

All in all a very successful morning, thanks to everyone for your support, both racers and volunteers and also those holding the fort with the social rides. Also thanks to Mark Elridge for his great photos!

By Jodie Hill