April 29/10 8:09 am - OBB Wheelers Midweek Series Criterium

Posted by Editoress on 04/29/10
 

OBB Wheelers Midweek Series Criterium #1 on April 29th in Nanaimo BC

Hey - the first criterium in Nanaimo in over twenty years!

It sure took a lot of work setting up tonight's course and made me think of the countless cones I put out and picked up during the Midweek Club years in Mississauga. Actually tonight's event, on a great 1.1km circuit only 3km from the city centre, was very similar to the first Midweek Club criterium- it was quite cool, there were just a few participants, and there were a few curious onlookers there just to see if the event really would go! I am sure that this event will become really popular, just as the Midweek Club races did and it’s just a matter of time until the word gets out to the localcycling community.

Among tonight's starters was national cyclo-cross champion and international rider Wendy Simm, who was making a welcome returnto Racing after a haitus to have her first baby. She looked really comfortable in thelead group and her fourth place indicates that she is still in remarkable shape.

The evening commenced with a clinic run by Australian immigrant Tony Winter, who drew upon his wide experience as an elite road racer in his home country to lead the participants through a series of examples showing how to ride safely. This was followed by a thirty minute plus three lap race with the first three laps neutralised to enable the "newbies" to feel comfortable.

Once the race proper got underway the group stayed together for the next three laps and then the less experienced competitors started to drift of the back. Over the next several laps, more were shelled and the lead group of Tony Winter, Wendy Simm, Mike Sevcov, Iain Hay and Warren Muir settled down and proceeded to lap the stragglers. This continued until three laps to go when Mike S. retired with anagging leg pain. The remaining quartet stayed togeter and, at the start of the final lap, the pace slowed as the eagerly-anticipated final sprint approached. As the riders rounded the final turn, Warren M. made the decisive effort and surged ahead, Tony W. had left his effort too late and, at the line, it was Muir first, with Winter second, Ian Hay 3rd. and and Wendy Simm a very creditable third, two seconds down.

Thanks to Dave Kenny for help in course set up and take down, To Regis Chapman for marshaling, and to Tony Winter for cone collection.

The next criterium on this terrific new circcuit is in two weeks time, on May 12th. at 7PM. For further information, go to www.bikeracing.ca

Courtesy Peter McCaffery