There was a good turn out of members, for the first race at Parklands this season. The course is a favourite for some riders and makes a change for the short technical circuits used for most criteriums. Parklands is more like a short road circuit, being 4km long with a sharp little climb two thirds the way round, which usually the launching point for numerous attacks.
With the juniors Lowen Ferry attacked up the climb on the 2nd and final lap and held off everybody for a comfortable win, with Sam Traianedes second and Baden Gray third.
Even with competition from other events, the chance to race the Parklands saw the first A grade race of the season. It was a fast races, then with three laps to go, it exploded up the climb and resulted in the three of the best road racers being hotly pursue by two of the best time trialists. The three road racers held on to the finish with Luke Pledger taking the win from Wade Longworth second and Alex Williamson third.
E grade was down in numbers this week, which kept the small group together, until a fast final lap lap saw Phil Edwards cross the finish line first, just ahead of Zoe Stolton and Joshua Brown.
Both C and D grades where races of attrition this week. With D losing almost half the riders from the main group by the end of the third lap and C grade fairing slightly better. Both grades finished with bunch sprints. With John Bouwknegt winning C grade from Jordan Chamberlain and Jaime Ortega. In D grade Eddie Wojcik held off the chasing John Bywater and Arthur Connor, for his first win.
In B grade Peter Carlin on the second last lap attacked up the climb, and held the pursuing pack at bay, until 100m from the line when he was swamped. With Adam Wise sprinting to victory from David Wessells and Peter Mills.
Next week the racing returns to the Motorplex and the Sports Director was hinting there might be a surprise course.