Trewhella triumphs in Crit Series

By Contributed

Nov 6, 2024

Echuca Moama Cycling Club Summer Race Series round four. Photo: Richard Bailey

Welch Builders EMCC Summer Crit Series - Round four

Once again we were greeted by cool, breezy conditions for racing with 25 riders taking part.

A-grade

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A small field of four; Nathan Oman, Max Trewhella, Lenny Griffiths and George Griffiths set off at a frightening pace with each rider doing strong turns at the front to test the field.

Unfortunately, Nathan was forced to withdraw – bee sting (that's a new one), and we were down to three.

On the bell lap, it was Max Trewhella who flexed his muscle to win, from Lenny in second and George in third.

B-grade

Regulars Francis Lias, John Brian, Cam Smith and Matt Sherman were joined by youngster Riley Wilkinson for 30 minutes plus three laps.

With ten minutes to go, Riley showed his potential as he rode off from the bunch, staying off the front for a few laps before the locomotive of Francis, Cam and John could work their way back.

The effort saw Matt Sherman working hard to keep a spot on the back.

As the bell rang for the final lap, it was anyone's race.

Francis was the first to go with a withering burst down the back straight and the gap proved to be enough as he crossed the line first from Riley in second and John Brian taking the third step on the podium.

C-grade

There was a different mix to C-grade with Mel Smolenaars up from D-grade, Aaron McMaster out of the ether and Dave Oman back from his work call-out.

All eyes, however, were on winter road series champ Graeme Butcher, joining us on the short track.

After a typical Will Kettle explosion to start the race, the pace settled; however, regular surges were a sign that riders were testing the field, who had the legs.

Through the middle of the race, Butch seemed to find himself off the front and the bunch seemed happy to keep him there.

Claire worked hard to keep the bunch in contact.

In a worrying show of strength, Dave Faulkner floated past the bunch with five minutes to go.

With two laps to go, it was Will Kettle who boiled over as he kicked clear, and it was only into the final corner that the group caught up with him.

In the sprint to the line, it was Dave Faulkner who rode clear to win from Matt in second, with Butch checked up slightly in the sprint to finish third.