Paul van Der Ploeg = "Monster"

In 2011 BC continues it's affiliation with the Elite Australian Cycling Team "Search2Retain".

2 out of 3 on the podium for Search2Retain

As an Assistant DS of the team this year, i was recently introduced to the revamped 2011 team.
One of our star riders for this season is Paul van Der Pleog.
Paul has had an impressive start to the season, scoring some huge results.

In Jauary, Paul dominated the field in the final stage of the Jaco Bay Classic Support Event, breaking away solo from the peloton, blitzing the field by half a lap of the tight Wiliamstown circuit.

Folowing this Paul successfully his 4th Australian Championship by defending his U2Victory Salute at the Bay Classic3 XC MTB Title in South Australia.

This past weekend, Paul competed in the 2011 Oceania Championships alongside 11 other members of the Search2Retain squad. He dominated the U23 XC event, winning ahead of Kiwi Dirk Peters.

Congratulations to Paul for his great performances. Look out for him at World Cup events later on this year.

Steffo

Crit Crazy Melbourne

If the sun is out in Melbourne it must be crit season.
We are blessed down here to be one of the most crit-crazy cities in the world. There are a number of weekly criteriums run by local clubs which attract strong fields and some great racing. These club races are a great opportunity for beginners to gain experience and hone in their racing skills and tactics. Also every summer we will see a number of the top pro riders using the local crits as a bit of late early season training.

photo by Phil Roeder

You can almost race every day of the week in Melbourne. Here is he run-down.

Monday: no racing

Tuesday:
Sandown Kermese run by Carnegie Caufield Cycling Club.
A-E Grade. $17 Entry
www.carnegiecycling.com.au

Wednesday:
Kew Criteriums run by Hawthorn Cycling Club.
A-D Grades. $12 entry
www.hawthorncycling.org

Thursday:
Vic Uni Crits run by Footscray Cycling Club
A-E Grades. $15 entry
www.footscraycc.com.au 

Friday:no racing

Saturday:
Vic Uni Crits run by Footscray Cycling Club
A-D Grades. $15 entry
www.footscraycc.com.au 

Ford Criteriums run y Coburg Cycling Club
A-D Grads. $10 entry
www.coburgcycling.com.au 

Sunday:
South Melbourne Crits run by St Kilda CC
A-E grades + Women. $15 Entry
www.stkildacc.com.au 

Glenvale Crits run by Carnegis Caufield CC
A-E Grades $17 entry
www.carnegiecycling.com.au 

As a general rule, you can say the higher the entry fee, the harder and faster the races are. Carnegie Caufield for example puts on two great races every week. It is not uncommon over summer for these to be won by professional riders in A grade and with both the circuits being fast paced, speeds can average in the high 40's
photo by David Hunter 

St Kilda crits have a great atmosphere. There is always a nice little crowd watching and also there is a coffee cart for the all important caffeine hit. The course is the most technical of the Melbourne crits.

 Footscray may not get the numbers that Carnegie does but they always have a good level of riders competing. The club is well represented in every grade and there is always a few foxy old-timers doing their best to ride you off the wheel. The Vic Uni course is made interesting as it has a small "climb" on the backside of the circuit.

Hawthorn and Coburg Crits do not attract the big numbers of the other three clubs but still provide a great environment for racing. The Kew Course has a very tight last corner which tends to bring a few riders unstuck and the Ford circuit is a fast/open one with a downhill sprint favoring the more powerful sprinters. (Especially the local Kosdown team)