Report by Emma Bilston

The Criterium Championships were again held at Castlemaine. This year a challenging, but less dangerous course was created. It was a tough course which was raced around one block in the main streets of Castlemaine. Two lengths of the course were uphill then leading into two downhill legs made the event quite challenging. The weather for racing was perfect as there was minimal breeze and the rain held off until the final race of the day. The temperature was perfect reaching 28C.

As I was the only U15 female rider entered, I had to race with the U17 females which would make my day even more gruelling than I thought. In the early stages of the race I found the pace very fast but stayed in contention with the lead bunch. As the race progressed I found that I was just hanging onto the lead bunch but managed to climb quite comfortably when riding the uphills. Being on restricted gears made it tough and I knew it would be hard at the finish. Coming around the final corner I was still on the lead bunch and sprinted as hard as I could, to finish 4th.

My team mate Emily Wordie-Thompson who also raced, was very strong throughout the race. Emily rode an attacking race which kept the pace extremely quick. The lead bunch lapped several riders. It was a close finish for second and in the end, Emily Wordie-Thompson had to settle for bronze in the women’s U17 race.

My brother Dylan Bilston, won silver in the U13 boys event. Dylan worked hard at the front of the bunch from the opening lap and dictated the pace for the majority of the race. The field finally broke up leaving a main group of five serious contenders. Coming into the final corner Dylan was in second place and could not quite get to the leader in the final uphill sprint.

Thanks for reading,
Emma Bilston

Refer to the CSV site for all results.

U13 Dylan Bilston, 2nd
U13 Emily Dunk, 2nd
U17 Michael Hale, 6th
U 17 Emily Wordie-Thompson, 3rd
Emma Bilston, 4th

 Thank you to Emily Dunk for providing the following photos from the Junior Criterium Championships.  And congratulations on finishing 2nd in your very first road race!!!