Metro Champs May 2010
The Metro Champs were held on the weekend of the 29th and 30th May and were hosted by Balmoral Cycling Club. The first day consisted of a Criterium held at Murarrie Sports Centre and a Road Race at Mt Alford near Boonah.
Jacob Mouatt and Alex Head represented Bikeline Racing in Elite B and the Elite C representatives were Justin Eastwell and Peter Collins. This was the first weekend that the new kits were worn to a senior open event and they were to feature prominently at the pointy end of the races.
B grade were first to go on Saturday with 40 minutes and two laps around the Murarrie circuit. The track was still damp but was drying out. The boys were hiding well in the pack for the first half of the race and then started to make their move as the race wore on. As the 3 laps to go was given the boys were well positioned in the first dozen riders but on the last corner Alex was given the shoulder and found he was out in the grass. Jacob managed to hold his position to finish in the top ten.
Peter and Justin were to do 35 minutes plus two laps in their race. The conditions seemed good as the track was drying out but only due to the increasing wind. As Peter was feeling the effects of a severe head cold, the plan was for him to stay sheltered out of the wind. Justin was helping dictate the pace at the front of the pack and helped to close down any breakaways that formed. All was going well until the rain started to fall at about the 30 minute mark. Both Justin and Peter were well positioned on the last lap but it was Peter that managed to breakaway from the field in the sprint to the line to take 1st place and Justin finishing with the bunch.
Sunday brought us to Mt Alford, where near cyclonic winds were blowing. With both B and C grade to do 4 laps of the undulating course for a total of 94km it was not going to be a pleasant day in the saddle.
C grade were first to go and the idea was to sit with the bunch as it was highly unlikely that any break would be successful due to the windy conditions. On the fourth lap the bunch was broken on the last pinch and with approximately 14 riders breaking away. All was going to plan on the final kilometres’ into the finish with Justin setting the tempo to ensure there were no attempted breaks whilst protecting Peter from the wind.
The sprint started early with 500m to go and Peter was in the front from the start and was able to hold on for his second 1st place in two days. Justin managed to come in and take 5th place. After taking out the Oakey Two Day and now the Metro Champ, no doubt Peter will be racing Elite B next race.
The Elite B boys had their work cut out for them with many competitive teams racing in their grade. From the start the other teams were constantly attacking and by the third lap Alex was to retire with severe cramps. Jacob was holding his position in the bunch and making sure he was near the front of the group at all times. Once again due to the conditions no breakaways were successful so it came down to a bunch sprint and Jacob was able to take out 6th place. An awesome effort against some tough competition.