2012 Northern Cycling Promains Criterium Series - Race 1 @ Campbellfield

80 riders across 6 grades signed up for the first of 4 winter criteriums hosted by Northern Cycling and generously sponsored by Promains.   Campbellfield is a terrific circuit with wide smooth sweeping surface which leads to fast and attacking racing.

Attacks in A grade started from the gun with Kos Samarus (Kosdown) getting away for an early lung and leg tester.  Once this move was nullified, it was team mate Simon Welsh who then went on the charge.  Simon managed to slip off the front and was joined by a very inform Darren Roberts who set the pace for the next couple of laps.  Kos obviously feeling pretty good managed to cleanly bridge across to the break to bolster the Kosdown numbers, however this move awakened the beast and the bunch quickly brought it all back together.

This was pretty much the pattern of the day.  Kos, Simon, Michael Saunders, Graham Carlson and a fluro booted Glenn O’Rourke were ever at the ready to animate the race.

After 50 minutes the sting seemed to have been taken out of the race and you got the feeling the boys were saving things up for the eventual bunch sprint.

The bell was rung after 70minutes of racing and like punch drunk prize fighters, Glenn and Kos put the pedal to the metal and attacked hard in an attempt to spoil the sprinters day.  The move almost paid off, however by the final turn it was all together and it was Graham Carlson who was able to hold off a fast finishing Mark Kinzett for the win with Paul Logan within a wheel to take 3rd.

The result of the B Grade race was decided with a very impressive mid race break away by Stephen Jamison, Phil Teahan and Greg Knappstein.  In the end the guys managed to put in close to 2minutes to the main bunch.  Stephen had a bit up his sleeve and put  his two compatriots under a bit of pressure in the final few laps which told in the final result as Stephen was a clear winner.  Greg looked like he had 2nd spot wrapped  up, however Phil hung tough and managed to get his wheel in front on the line.

Plenty of action in C Grade with the David Brown and Nbr 60 livening things up.  However it was EVCC fast man Tony Curulli who scored a good win.

It was a funny old D Grade race where the bunch had splintered.  It was difficult to work out who was off the front and who had dropped off the back.  Duncan Mollison was super strong and gets the win from Bruce Rose, Ben Dunlop and Andrew Chisholm who will all enjoy wearing the white hats of C Grade next time around.

Barry Rodgers and Garry Dodds win E and F Grades respectively.

See Northern Cycling for the full results and you can check out more of my photos.

ps.  if you are after a pair of top of the range Bont cycling shoes for a good price, contact Warren Smith.  He even has a pair of 48s in stock.