Small Dog 2010 senior criterium championships

Chris Liston writes:

A smaller than usual but high-quality field set off to contest the 2010 Small Dog BSCC senior criterium championship, over thirty minutes plus two laps. Rhys Gillett led the charge, breaking up the field and taking a small group with him, including Ciaran Conaughton and super sprinter Damien Keirl. Gillett, fearing Keirl’s sprint, drove relentlessly, and at the business end he had a decisive gap and took the title for the second year. Keirl produced his trademark big sprint to take second, but the surprise was Conaughton, who moved with Keirl to make a gap and take third over the rest of the break, putting the U19 in elite company for 2010.

[A report on the B-grade event is below.]

Andrew Stinchcombe finally claimed a popular win in D grade. After settling for third several weeks in a row, Molly Hegert was his main rival. Molly raced competitively as her father Volker Hegert had his debut ride for the season and set up some family rivalry.

In C grade Dave Peters was able to shine as the fast U17 riders were removed from the race for the senior championship day. Peters took the win, with Simon Wallis as runner-up staying ahead of the thumping powerhouse of Scott Denno who rode his own steady tempo to finish strongly in third.

Results - Small Dog BSCC 2010 Senior Criterium Championship
1st Rhys Gillett
2nd Damian Keirl
3rd Ciaran Conaughton

B Grade
1st Stuart Brien
2nd Shane Cody
3rd Charlie Stebbing

C Grade
1st Dave Peters
2nd Simon Wallis
3rd Scott Denno

D Grade
1st Andrew Stinchcombe
2nd Molly Hegert
3rd Volker Hegert
 

B grade report: Stuart "Cancellara" Brien writes:

The weather was divine, the field was strong, so it stands to reason the racing would be hot, and that's exactly what the B grade race was! As the field headed out on their first lap, Stuart Brien took to the front.  Moderate activity continued at the front for most of the first half of the race. Newcomer Sam Turley was edgy and watched every move until finally he made a threatening break with Shane Cody at the 13 minute mark. This was quickly bridged by Charlie Stebbing, but Stu Brien and another new member Jarrod Boyd were caught napping at the back of the field and didn’t join the breakaway until about a lap later.  Another new member, triathlete Grant Gilbert, assumed the tuck position and pounded away to make up ground.  Colin Smith and Lewis Piccoli both worked in vain to cross as the leaders pushed average speeds up to 40 km/h. Don Stewart chose to dismount and man a corner at this point!

The relentless attacks at the front from Turley eased as his legs tired, allowing the other 4 riders in the break to recover slightly.  Gilbert made contact with the leaders after a sterling solo effort.  Rounding the 25 minute mark with 2 laps to go, Boyd went to the front and stayed there for a full lap until Turley took to the front again at the top corner.  Turley pushed up the pace once again, but this time the other riders were not going to allow any room to move, and Brien stuck to his wheel like glue.  As the lead group hit the bottom corner, Brien sensed that Turley was tired, jumped immediately and put himself a length in front before the final straight. Shane Cody and Charlie Stebbing had other ideas and as they swung round the sweeping left hander to the final straight they closed in on Brien who appeared to be tiring, but another kick and the smell of victory was too great.  Brien hung on to finally win by half a wheel, after a series of 2nd and 3rd places through the criterium season.  Shane Cody was second and Charlie Stebbing 3rd.

Congratulation to all those who rode in the B Grade criteriums this year and helped to make it a fun, enjoyable and safe season.

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