The Parklands circuit is not your typical criterium circuit at close to 4km long and with a short sharp hill, it is more like a short road circuit. The race is still carried out at the frantic criterium pace, though with the climb, the winner often from a lone attacker or from small group.
The were no attacks in E grade, it was a race of attrition, losing a rider from the bunch each lap. Until it was only Simon Stolton left to take the win. Lowen Ferry finished second in his final race with the club and Tony Van Merwyk was third.
There were a number of attacks in D grade, but the bunch stayed together until the final climb. Which saw Matt Walker racing clear to take a solo victory, with Rob Mold second and Paul Miller third.
C grade was a conservative race, until the fourth time up the climb, an attack split the bunch in two. The front group survived attacks from a couple of riders and ended in a bunch sprint. Which was won by B grade bound Conor Leahy, with Cameron Nobbs second and Greg Bale.
There were a number of attacks in B grade and none stuck, Until a bold move by Stephen Leahy at the start of the last lap, saw him get clear and stay away for the win. In the bunch sprint for minor places Adam Wise took second, with recently promoted Jordan Chamberlin third.
A grade, saw a number of attacks, with one or two riders of the front each lap. On the second last climb Ryan Willmot attacked, got clear and stayed away for the last lap to take his first win in A grade. Mikey Hoskens took out the bunch sprint for second with Kyle Nankivell third.
Next week, see the return to the more traditional criterium circuit of Smeaton Way, which will come as a relief to some riders for the last race of this year.
