A day for the short odd favourites at Townsville Cycle Club Criterium Championships

Some usual faces appeared on the podiums at Townsville Cycle Club Criterium Championships, but the day doesn’t go without controversy.

A combined A and B Grade field got off to a fast start. The two A Grade favourites Shane Marcus and Ben Lawes established their breakaway within the first five minutes, leaving Marvin Baumeister-Schoenian and Callum McDonald to chase the pair with the kind assistance of B Grade riders – despite no obligation.

Just under 10 minutes to go, Lawes and Marcus lapped the field in a sensational effort, Marcus trailed Lawes through a corner only to ‘hit a rock’ with his rear wheel and come sliding down and ending his day.

An investigation was conducted by chief commissaire, Danny Ormonde, as it was suspected that Lawes was feeling the tense pressure mounting as the finish drew closer. This may have contributed to Lawes implementing Mario Kart tactics and allegedly a banana peel was used in the move. 

Race photographer Marcus Monteith provided the above photo in support of these suspicions.

The result, Lawes walked away with another 5 points towards the overall championship and Baumeister-Schoenian and McDonald rolling across the line for second and third. Fortunately, Marcus walked away with only some gravel rash, a few cuts on his hand requiring few stitches, and the bike is ok!    

Kobe Ormes has now won three B Grade races in a row and also extends his lead to 10 points in the overall championship. He was joined on the podium by newcomer to the road racing scene Chis Olsen in second place and the rapidly improving Jack Pemberton in third. The bunch sprint finish was hotly contested, however Ormes proved too strong in the end. 

Stephanie Corset  and Briana McDonald finished first and second in the B Grade Women division respectively.  

The 21 rider field for C Grade took centre stage with some close quarter racing action. Despite a number of considerable challengers in the men’s division, Kyle ‘the gunshow’ Gibbs continues his stranglehold on the grade, taking back the top step of the podium. The podium was rounded out by Nick Rex in second place, a formidable effort for his first race. Long odd dark horse Jake Kerswell snuck onto the podium with third place.   

A similar story eventuated for the C Grade Women as Amanda Doolan claimed her third win in a row and extends her overall championship points to 10. Chloe Pankhurst returned after a short break to finish in second place ahead of Alicia Harris in third. 

A thrilling 15 minutes of action is the only way to describe the D Grade race. Riders placed attacks and strong turns of speed in an attempt to split the race apart but it eventually came down to a sprint finish. Darren Lee was eventually crowned Criterium Champion in the men’s division ahead of Tim Rademaker and Gary O’Neill in second and third respectively. 

Our last undefeated rider for the season, Lindy Sampson, has copped her first loss for the season to newcomer to the club Jordyn Kindness. Despite this Sampson still finished in second place ahead of Katey Seaborn. 

The Junior Divisions were characteristically ‘attack central’ as Sienna Monteith attacked from the start and stayed away until the end with Henry Goodwill. The two up sprint resulted in Goodwill taking the win, however Monteith extended her lead in the Div 1 girls division. Nicholas Ellis rounded out the Div 1 boys podium, with Emily Watch getting the better of Mikayla Gibbs and Imogen Kerswell in the girls division. 

Hannah Watch and Jye Smith tussled it out in their three lap criterium, with Watch taking first place honours. 

The club would like to extend a congratulations to all of our champions and a huge thank-you to all competitors. Each race so far this season we have received more registrations than the race previous, and today we set an attendance record with 54. 

The Townsville Cycle Club Championships now turns to our final event, the Individual Time Trial along Ross Dam. This event also includes a ‘Come and Try’ division so spread the word! 

Race license holders register here.

Come and Try riders register here.