Welch Builders EMCC Summer Crit Series Championship
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With the Club Champ title on the line, 21 riders entered the most important Crit race of the season.
A-grade
Lenny and George Griffiths were joined by our strongest field for the season with Kevin Laffy, Aaron Mulkearns, Nathan Oman and Troy Griffiths, giving them stiff competition for the A-grade title.
Early in the race, it was Aaron and Kevin putting some pace into the race before Lenny looked to test his opposition.
A couple of times the group was stretched with Troy and Nathan looking vulnerable, but each time the group re-formed.
With no sense of loyalty, by mid-race Lenny and George flicked father Troy off the back.
He would need to fight hard to keep the bunch in sight as the remaining five continued to power on.
With just three laps to go, it still looked anyone's race, who would have the legs?
As they approached the bell, there was a hush over the crowd as Kevin Laffy pulled off the best move seen on a Friday night in Echuca-Moama since OPT Nightclub closed its doors.
He went into full Van Der Poel mode as he flew past the group and into the lead, but he could sustain the effort?
As necks craned to see the back straight, he was still well clear, and the impossible seemed possible.
As he came into view at the finish, he crossed the line in a stunning victory with Lenny second and Aaron in third.
B-grade
Another strong grouping gathered in B-grade with Francis Lias, Cam Smith, Scott Moller, John Brian and Will Kettle to fight for the championship medal.
As expected, it was Francis Lias on the front early, just testing those behind him, looking for any weakness, none was found and the pace continued.
After some reluctance to drive the pace, the surges began but were quickly extinguished.
With six minutes to go, Cam Smith made his move as he broke clear, but was it the hammer blow that he needed or just false bravado?
As those in the pack paused to consider their next move, Cam extended his advantage.
Scott was the first to react as he mounted a strong rearguard move and closed in on Cam over a couple of laps.
Cam, now in 'eye of the tiger' TT mode kept his pace and Scott's counterattack faded.
The surges took their toll on Will Kettle, who boiled dry, and it was left to Francis to try to close the gap.
In an amazing sight, Cam was actually gaining time on the chasers and into the bell lap he had them in sight.
As the finish line came into view, he was a clear winner from Francis in second and John Brian in third.
C-grade
Darren Kruger returned from injury for the last race of the season as he set off with Matt Dobeli, Claire Goodman, Dazza McKemmish, Russell Jeffreys and our very own 'Weather Oracle' Mel Smolenaars.
The early stages of the race were at a steady pace with some surges on the front but nothing too strong with 25 minutes still to race.
After what he thought was a community service second lap on the front to accommodate a passing A-grade, Matt soon found himself scrambling off the back as the attacks came from the front.
In a strong move, reminiscent of last week, Claire and Dazz found themselves with a gap, but in a sign of strength, it was Darren Kruger who dragged the bunch back across.
As the race continued it was Dazz and Claire stretching the group with surges off the front.
Despite the best efforts of the protagonists, the bunch was still together with three laps to go.
Mel was the first to move as she rode to the front, unfortunately, her break was as successful as her weather predictions from the night before as Matt lifted the pace for the final lap and a half.
With a pedal touch at the back corner, momentum was lost, and the bunch held his wheel comfortably.
Into the sprint for the line it was a battle between Dazza, Claire and Darren Kruger with Dazza holding his nerve to win with Darren in second and Claire a close third.
D-grade
Once again there were good numbers in D-grade with Heather Lias competing with the experienced trio of Paul Oman, Ray Hamilton and Zenon Gawronski.
Often D-grade is a war of attrition, but there were murmurings in the crowd that we might see some attacks from riders, but would it be multiple 2025 race winner Paul Oman, this season's perennial bridesmaid Heather, Zenon after his debut win or was Ray Hamilton still on a St Pat's day high?
It looked like Heather would force the pace with some strong turns on the front, but in somewhat of a surprise, it was Zenon who made a break and found himself clear in front.
In keeping with his recent weekday form, Ray Hamilton looked comfortable.
As the bell rang, it was Heather who burst clear and held the lead down the back straight, only Paul Oman could react.
Into the final straight, it looked like Paul might just get her and so it proved as he pipped Heather on the line in a photo finish with Ray Hamilton in third.
Thanks to Cam and Mel for setting up, race director H, photographer Richard and also to Darren Kruger for blowing the track.
Special mention to Ray Hamilton, our thoughts are with you on the eve of your wedding anniversary.
The Roberta Hamilton Cup is our season-opening winter road race, we'll see you all in May.
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