Crash mars A-grade race in round four of summer crit series

By Contributed

Nov 12, 2023

Feeling the heat: A hot pace and sweltering conditions greeted riders during round four of the Echuca Moama Cycling Club summer criterium series. Photos: Richard Bailey/EMCC

Hot, challenging conditions greeted Echuca Moama Cycling Club riders on Friday, November 10, for round four of the summer crit season.

A-grade

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Featuring eight riders, A-grade welcomed last week’s B-grade winner Matt Carmelotti as well as George Griffiths back for his second race in the top grade, and Max Trewhella was back for his first race of the season.

The biggest interest going into the race, however, was the sibling rivalry between Kevin and Neville Laffy.

Despite the heat, the speed was high, averaging just a tick under 45km/h for the duration.

Unfortunately, the race was marred by a late crash to Phil Muratore, and in the end Matt Carmelotti won ahead of Kevin and his brother Neville in a near dead heat for second and third.

B-grade

Among the eight riders in B-grade was young gun Jacob Haines having a second crack at the level.

The pace was as hot as the weather, so hot in fact that Francis Lias decided it was time for ‘Sun’s out, guns out’ as he wowed the crowd by removing his jersey mid race (don’t tell the commissaire).

Despite strong riding on the front by Francis, John Brian and Matt Sherman, Jacob was not deterred and kicked clear to win over Nick Woods, with Bryce Denham third.

C-grade

Former club member Ben Oman and new rider James Carr joined C-grade this week with aggressive riding from Ben the feature of the race.

Constant surges had the field at their limit throughout and fearing the next effort. In the finish, a well-timed attack early in the final lap broke the field apart, with no-one able to go with him, Ben crossed the line first, ahead of Darren McKemmish and Riley Wilkinson in third.