SOUTHERN CROSS CRIT RACING

Sunday Mornings at Waratah Park, Rawson Rd, Sutherland.

$10 to race. $10 for a family group.

RACE TIMES
C&D grade: 8am
A grade: 8.30am
B grade: 9.15am
Juniors: 10am

Times to Sunday racing may change throughout the road/track season. Check Facebook for weekly updates.

Juniors who are u/15 and above can race seniors and juniors.

BECOME AN AusCycling MEMBER

In order for you to participate in any cycle race in Australia you must be an AusCycling member. Don’t forget to choose Southern Cross Cycle Club as your primary club.

SOUTHERN CROSS SUPERCRIT

The future of cycle racing in Sydney is Criterium (Crit) Racing.

Five years ago Southern Cross Cycle Club (SXCC), took a gamble to try and stimulate interest in Crit Racing and came up with the idea of ‘SuperCrit’: a graded scratch race for both men and women of all ages and abilities over 4 grades.

Starting with D Grade up to A Grade/Elite which attracts the best cyclists including pro cyclists from Sydney and interstate. Last year SuperCrit attracted 204 racers from all over the east coast of Australia. The event ended up being one of the biggest fields to ever contest a Criterium race in NSW. The secret to this success is including cyclists of all ages and abilities, racing on a local criterium track, in ‘Clubland’. Everybody is welcome, the racing is hard, in a controlled environment. Come and see us RACE.

CLUBLAND RACING AT ITS BEST!

FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS TO LOOK OUT FOR THE NEXT SUPERCRIT

PRIZE MONEY IS PAID.

All riders welcome. You just need a bike, helmet that meets Australian Standards (AS 2063), and a race license. If you don’t have a race license you can get an AusCycling NSW racing day membership here.

GRADING POLICY

The Race Committee has decided to implement the following policy with the intention to lead to fairer and more competitive racing and the appropriate balance across the grades.

PROMOTION/RELEGATION PROCESS

Gradings are intended to promote competitive racing amongst riders of similar ability, but also take into account variables such as development, varying training levels and personal circumstances.

All gradings are at the discretion of the Handicapper (Club Handicapper or Commissaire on the day)

If a rider accumulates 10 points throughout the season (or 12 mth period) they become eligible for promotion and may be moved to the next higher grade. Riders who have previously ridden in a higher grade may be promoted earlier. Points are allocated at 3 points for first place, 2 points for second place and 1 point for third place. Consideration will be made for riders in grades of consistently low numbers, who will place more regularly, to ensure they are not promoted unfairly

Riders eligible for a lower grade are those dropped from the bunch on 4 or more occasions, are finishing consistently at the tail end of the field or riders returning from major injury. These riders may request to move down a grade.

Riders who ‘ride down’ from their allocated grade will not be entitled to prize money and should not actively influence the racing ie attempting break-aways, setting the bunch pace.

ETIQUITE AND SAFETY

When passing other grades, give them due consideration:
Pass on the right hand side, maintaining a gap of at least one metre between the two grades.
Wait until there is a distance of at least 10 metres between the two grades before cutting back in.
Do not pass and then slow down. This only impedes the other grade which could be chasing a breakaway.
Do not try to force your way through at turns – there is no right of way hierarchy of one grade over another.
In effect, avoid doing anything which may affect the normal progress of the other grade’s race.
When being passed by other grades:
Do not take shelter or any other advantage from the overtaking grade. Allow the passing grade to get well clear, staying at least 25 metres behind. In most cases it’s best to go neutral until the passing grade is out of sight. Failure to comply may lead to disqualification.
Do not try to re-overtake the passing grade if it is a higher grade, except if you are in a final sprint.

NON-SXCC RIDERS AND NEW MEMBERS

Non SXCC riders will be allocated a grade by the handicapper/commissaire taking into account their own club grade and the strength of that club. In general riders participating in their first event should be graded in ‘B-Grade’ unless there is reasonable justification otherwise. A new riders grading will be reassessed after their initial ride.

GENERAL:

Ride as straight a line as possible (hold your line) in the bunch and do not make any sudden sideways movements. Do not undercut other riders and force them to change their line.
Leave space between yourself and the rider in front to avoid “cross-wheeling” (overlapping wheels) which is a common cause of accidents in racing.
If riders “change their line” avoid overlapping wheels.
Be alert and ride aware – your actions turning, braking and accelerating can affect other riders.
Avoid sudden braking.
Be aware of the “kick back” when riders get out of the saddle, give yourself space.
When cornering keep the same arc on entry and exit. This is called “Holding your line” and means if you go in tight- stay tight. If you go in wide – stay wide.
When cornering keep your inside pedal up as you lean in to avoid it clipping the road and throwing you off line.
Raise your arm and be vocal if you have a puncture or other problem.
When taking a drink, hold out your bottle and keep to the side of the group.
Front riders: warn group about traffic and hazards ahead.
Rear riders: warn group if traffic or another grade approaches from the rear.
A firm grip and relaxed arms will help you stay upright if you get nudged by another rider.
Show courtesy to other competitors and race officials. Anti-social behaviour and language will not be tolerated and offenders will incur a penalty and may be suspended.

IN THE SPRINT:

Once you decide you want to be in it, go all the way – do not slow abruptly.
Ride a straight line, however tempting it may be to cut in or out.
Keep both hands on the bars at all times, before and after the finish line.
Back off early if it is a big field and you know you are not competitive.

After the race, if other races are still in progress keep close to the right hand side of the track and get off the track as soon as possible.