Welch Builders EMCC Summer Crit Series- final round

In hot conditions, 11 brave riders set off for our final round before club champs.

A-grade

For a little increased excitement, Lenny and George Griffiths gave experienced riders Francis Lias and Cam Smith a two-lap advantage over the 30 mins + 3.

Will Kettle, boiling with confidence, joined the group in a big step up.

The pace of the Griffiths brothers put pressure on Cam and Will from the start.

Several minutes into the race it was three up front with a tenacious Francis Lias holding the wheel of Lenny and George.

After a strong effort by Lenny on the front, Francis and George were stretched, but the band came back together.

Another attack and Francis found himself unable to follow, but could he keep up a pace to prevent being lapped twice?

With Will grabbing Francis' wheel after being lapped and Cam powering in TT mode, it was difficult for onlookers to work out who's who in the zoo as the Griffiths gained a lap.

With three laps to go, Lenny was going ballistic in his attempts to gain a second lap, as the bell sounded, Francis was still clear by a significant margin, and he crossed the line a deserving winner with Lenny second and George in third.

B- and C-grade

With only 2 riders in C-grade, Ray Hamilton and Dave Oman joined the B-grade group of Darren McKemmish, Claire Goodman, Matt Dobeli and Mel Smolenaars.

After talking a big game pre-race following his performance in the 'friendly Friday' bunch that morning, Ray Hamilton found himself struggling in the combined group while Dave Oman rode strongly on the back of the group.

Dazz McKemmish seemed to be doing too much work on the front, much to the delight of the group.

In a brutal attack, Claire Goodman burst clear, dragging Dazz with her and the two of them set about distancing Matt and Mel, who they caught off guard.

After several laps clear, the gap closed and the cat and mouse games began as Matt refused to do any turns on the front.

Perhaps in frustration, his wife Claire surged again but found herself on her own with too long to go in the race and the bunch reformed.

As the bell sounded for the final lap, all four riders were together.

Dazz rode clear, but had he done too much work early?

After gapping Matt and Mel and with Claire surging, it was Dazz who crossed the line first with Claire a close second and Matt third.

Well done to Dave Oman who rode well with C-grade, and to Ray who kept up his effort to the end to share the money.

Next week is the Crit Series Club Champs with more details to follow during the week.

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Thursday, 17th April 2025

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