Motoring at Mt Cotton

Sunday proved to be another successful day for the QSM girls.  The Mt Cotton race, organised by the Wynnum-Redlands Club, is a once-a-year chance to race on the car driver training circuit, and is often a great day.  Unlike last year, it was a dry overcast day, without any crashes.  Jemma again proved to be the one rider to beat in the Women's B&C race. 

After a massive 150km ride and 2 races on Saturday, she backed up in fine form on Sunday.  She and three other girls broke away from the bunch about half way through the race.  Jemma probably did a bit too much work on the front of the break, and finished second overall.

Our Women's A race was combined with the Elite B men, and this made for a fast-paced 70 minutes with around 40 riders on the track. 

Jane W, fresh from her win at the Wellington to Auckland Tour in NZ last month, outclassed strong local A grade rider Amy Schramm to take the overall honors. 

And although I had some good form, muscle cramps unfortunately got in my way on the bell lap, and I finished in third place. 

Claire (while still injured and waiting for her new bike) was there in spirit too, armed with her trusty camera!  On the whole, another splendid day for QSM/Upper Limb/Velo/DWBH.

Strength to strength

QSM girls are on the up and up this season.  Last weekend, at the third (and final) race of the Crestmead Summer Series, Jemma (women B&C combined) made an incredible comeback to win the final sprint.  She collected enough points (along with her win from week 1) to win the overall series!

Pensar/Hawk girls rode well again to wrap up their winning streak in women A, but this was not without some keen opposition again from the Riders Morningside girls, QSM and others.  I even managed a 6th place... not bad for a non-sprinter.  :)

Since last week, QSM/Upper Limb/DWBH have recruited yet another strong rider for 2012. 

Maddison Vit now joins us along with our core team of Jane Walker, Corissa Smith, Claire Trembath, Nikki Orlic, Jemma Brown, Jane Youdan (and myself).  Bring on some autumn and winter racing!

Summer Series Round 2

Once again the weather was kind to us, and the rain stayed away for most of the races at Crestmead on Sunday.  It was another solid, fast-paced criterium for women's A, with a few additions to the line-up this week, which made racing even more interesting. 

Bicycle Riders Morningside team had all 4 of their girls on the start line this week (Simone, Brielle, Sal, and Angie), while Pensar/Hawk's 4 riders were keen to defend the leader's jersey held by Katrin. 

Due to an unfortunate meeting with a car during the week, Claire wasn't able to race this weekend (... get well soon!), but Corissa and I did our best to make our mark for QSM. 

With many attempts at breaks, and subsequent counter-attacks, the racing was over in no time at all.  I was pleasantly surprised to hear comments after the race that our criterium was very interesting to watch.  Maybe we are making Chloe Hosking proud? 

The pressure of the leader's jersey proved to be a bit too much for Jemma in women's B&C combined.  She did her best in the final bunch sprint to come in 6th, but it wasn't enough to hold on to the overall lead.  Fortunately next week she will be back as an underdog.  :)

Summer Series Criteriums 2012

After rain again all week, the sun came out for the first round of the 2012 Crestmead Criteriums; an annual event held by CQ and the Logan Cycling Club.  This year, more entrants than ever before will race over 3 consecutive weekends. 

It was really pleasing to see about 20 women in each of the women's A and B&C combined divisions.  Our team for 2012 (= QSM racing/Upper Limb/Velo/DWBH) was well represented by Claire (I'm-going-to-attack-any-chance-I-get) Trembath and myself in A, and Jemma (I-have-never-raced-with-this-many-girls-before) Brown in B.

In the A grade race, the new Pensar/Hawk team controlled most of the race, although many other strong riders did their best in opposition to this. 

Kirsty Broun lead out a well-timed break about 2/3rds of the way through the race, to help Katrin Garfoot and Amy Schramm stay away for 1st and 2nd.

In the B grade race, Jemma's enthusiasm and improving fitness allowed her to win both the Prime and the final overall bunch sprint.  This weekend will see her defend the jersey!