There were over 20 Kelly Cycle Coaching athletes who attended the racing in Mansfield and with ideal race conditions, the weekend was a huge success.

The KCC women were well representated with great racing from Vic Snibson, Carley McKay, Maddy Cardillo, Jess White and Jess Laws.  Maddy worked hard in the closing lap of the criterium to position Carley for the finishing sprint.  Carley finished off well, by taking an emphatic win.

D grade Men saw Kelly cycling represented by coach Bob, and Mark Cummings.  Their constant aggressive racing saw the field dwindle.  Bob made a move on bell lap and held on to take 3rd place.

C grade was represented by Hayden Eynaud who snuck away half way through the criterium to claim another podium for the Kelly gang.  Well done Hayden.  He followed up the following day with a 6th in the road race. Steven Payne also raced the C grade road race, finishing in the top 20.

Mansfield Criterium.  Report by: Nick Bien

Amazing weather set the tone for what was going to be a great evening of racing. With the team spread across A, B and C grades there was plenty of action out on course. Hayden Eynaud was first on and didn’t disappoint. With an attack midway through the race he established what proved to be a decisive gap with one other rider. Staying off the front until the very end of the race he was just pipped on the line to take 2^nd in the sprint.

In B grade, the technical ‘T’ shaped course proved to be tough in a bunch of around 50 riders. A crash early on split the field leaving only 20 or so riders left in contention for the win. Attacks went thick and fast and eventually 2 riders got away. Aaron Eynaud led out Michael Hale in the sprint, with Michael just beaten on the line for a place on the podium. Liam White survived the tough conditions to finish in the bunch.

Notable mentions should also be made to Brad Wills and James Cummings who mixed it up with many of the NRS riders in A grade.

Whitey pulling faces	Aaron leading out Michael

Mansfield – Mt. Buller Road Race: Report by: Nick Bien

A chilly start to the morning would soon be forgotten as the climb up Buller loomed. In B grade all attacks were closed down in the earlier stages of the race and it was left to the climb to decide the podium at the end of the day. From the toll gate that marked 16km to the finish, the pace lifted and by only 2km up the hill less than 10 riders remained with the front group. A little further and this was dwindled down to three, ultimately leaving the top spots to be decided amongst themselves. A consistent tempo enabled and Aaron Blomely and myself to claim 5^th and 6^th respectively, significantly reeling in the other riders in the latter half of the climb. Hayden Eynaud pulled out another great performance coming 6^th in the C grade bunch.

Although it was a tough day of racing and not suited to all the riders, the boys should be proud of their efforts in all making it up one of the biggest climbs in Victoria.

The weekend was a great success and the boys are showing good form for the winter road season ahead.

Girls talk pre road race	Bob explains the terrain to the boys
Trent took 4th in the road race	Hayden racing hard

Trent Morey was just outside the podium, finishing 4th in the road race.  The girls raced well as a team in the B grade road race, and worked hard to soften the climbers leg before they reached the base of Mt Buller. The peleton shattered in the first few km’s of the climb with Carley riding well to finish 4th.

On Sunday, whilst the race up Buller was happening, Ed Smith did the 200km recreational Jamieson challenge ride – well done on finishing this Ed.

Thanks again to Jim Morey for taking many great photos of the riders.  A full collection of photos can be found by clicking on this link:  https://picasaweb.google.com/116143390879232936045/20120317MansfieldMtBuller?authkey=Gv1sRgCPz93Nvc-rPq_gE#