Tonight's Longwood Brewery criterium had 24 entries - a record for the series.
Another record was equalled when 5 women, including a youth, came to the start. Unlike the first race in the series, the bunch immediately picked up the pace and kept it there. Although there were many attacks, the pack stayed together throughout the race, even after each of the primes. The first sprint was taken by Victoria Wheelers Tom Skinner from Experience Cycling's Peter Stevenson, with MIVA Diva Janna Gillick comfortably beating Carey Mark, Steed Cycles. At the second prime, Menno Jongsma, MIVA edged Skinner, with the two top women repeating. The third sprint saw Stevenson just best Series leader, Justin Mark, Steed Cycles and the girls repeating their previous placings. The points awarded for these intermediate sprints are added to the riders' overall totals for the series and can make a difference in final placings for the season.
With one lap to go, there were still 15 men and one woman together, with 7 lapped riders out of contention and at the line, it was out-of-towner Tom Skinner handily beating Justin Mark, with Menno Jongsma in third place. Fourth went to master rider Mike Sevcov, Cowichan Cycles and junior rider Brodie Hay, Vypers, competing in the senior category, rounded out the top 5. Janna Gollick easily won the women's category, placing 9th. overall in the same time as the winner.
Aiden and Abigail Hare were the only riders in their respective categories, so they each rode 15 laps for experience.
Thanks to the volunteers who did a great job manning the corners and to Iain & Brodie Hay for course set-up.
BTW, I the results, the lapped riders were all given times simply to place them.