DAY 4 RECAP - Criteriums Bring an End to the 2019 Masters!

The 2019 Cycling Australia Masters Road National Championships wrapped up on Sunday with 20 new criterium national champions receiving green and gold jerseys after conquering the Victoria Park course in wet and cloudy conditions. 

The day started with the Men’s Masters 8, 9 and 10 categories where Waratah Masters rider Dennis Fahey picked up his second national title to win the Men’s Masters 10. Dubbo’s Darrell Wheeler also claimed his second gold medal in the Men’s Masters 9 and Martin Refermat (South Coast) picked up his first national championship of 2019 winning the Men’s Masters. 

Women’s 9 competitor Rosemary Hastings (Bathurst) was the first rider to complete a clean sweep at this years nationals taking home the green and gold jersey to add to her victories in the time trial and road race.  

After a silver in the time trial and bronze in the road race, Hawthorn’s Debra Lindstrom finally cracked the top step of the podium by finishing first in the Women’s Masters 7. She just crossed the line before Eleri Morgan-Thomas (Dulwich Hill) and Jennifer Massey (Griffith) who finished second and third respectively. 

Norwood’s Michael Davies was another rider who finally won gold in the Men’s Masters 6 criterium after two silver medal performances in the time trial and road race. He finished ahead of silver medalist and fellow Norwood rider Nick Steel and bronze medalist Russell Newnham (Carnegie Caulfield). 

Brisbane’s Nicky Rolls had her first podium finish in the Women’s Masters 4 finishing in first place ahead of Dayna Davidson (SXCC) and time trial champion Jenny Pettenon (Hawthorn) who finished with the silver and bronze medals. 

Cradle Coast member Kristy Grubits rode to victory in the Women’s Masters 2 category adding to her wins in the road race and time trial to become the second three time champion of 2019. And Emma Jackson (Castlemaine) won the title in the Women’s Masters 1 narrowly beating time trial and road race winner Bree Playel (Manly Warringah). 

Gerald Donnelly (Carnegie Caulfield) was the first male rider to clean sweep the 2019 championships, winning the Men’s Masters 7 criterium. Ross Bowles (Harlequin) and Carmelo Scoleri (FRA PowerOn) rounded out the podium in second and third. 

Another Norwood rider climbed to the top step of the podium in the last race of the Masters with Thomas Wright taking home the gold in the Men’s Masters 1 division for his first title of 2019. 

Following four long days where hundreds of riders from all over the country competed across 20 different categories, 59 national champions have been awarded gold medals and can now proudly wear their green and gold jerseys for the next twelve months. 

FOR FULL MASTERS RESULTS CLICK HERE: http://liveresults.cycling.org.au/2019/MRN/index.html

Photos: Kevin Anderson