I have to say, I've never taken much interest in cycling... but something about Criterium Racing is rather exciting.
A cyclist crosses the finish line in the Awesome Grand Prix. Photograph By TAMMY BRIMNER
It's described as the "action packed" style of cycle racing and I discovered why today at the inaugural Awesome Grand Prix held at Jonathan Rogers Park in Mount Pleasant.
Held on a short circuit, about 1km in length, elite cyclists were zooming by about every 90 seconds or so at speeds of up to 60km/h.聽 That's pretty fast. Cyclists certainly broke a sweat giving it their all for Provincial glory, competing in 27C heat.
Cyclists race in the Awesome Grand Prix. 鈥� Tammy Brimner
And while they sweated in their lycra, I watched on fascinated by the energy, athleticism and enthusiasm riders have for the sport.
The crowd cheered on as favourites zoomed by on the circuit.
I spoke with Carolyn Russell, who won the Women鈥檚 Masters B, 40 to 50, after her race, to find out what drives a cyclist to win.
Carolyn Russell wins the Women鈥檚 Masters B race. 鈥� Tammy Brimner
She was thrilled with the result of the race.
鈥淚t was a beautiful day. It was a small field but I decided to set a really fast pace at the start and just see what would happen and two of us broke away immediately,鈥� she said.
鈥淚 just continued to push pace and continued to drive hard and I was able to create a break away and I鈥檓 really, really pleased the way it worked out.鈥�
Russell has been cycling for about 15 years and says there鈥檚 more to it than people think.
鈥淚t is so much more interesting and fun 鈥� it鈥檚 not a time trial, it is strategy, it is thinking. It鈥檚 on and off. It is intense,鈥� she said on Saturday.
鈥淚 love everything about cycling. It鈥檚 a complex sport. It鈥檚 not just put your head down and pedal or who can pedal the fastest.
鈥淚t鈥檚 who鈥檚 the smartest, who鈥檚 the most creative, who gets it done.
鈥淚t is abut tricking other people into working鈥� and then you win.鈥�
The avid cyclist says the event was something to be proud of.
鈥淭his is a great event. The crowds that were here today, it is so fun riding in front of people; with the announcers, the music, the food trucks, the vibe,鈥� she said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 really something special. It鈥檚 special to have high class racing right in our backyard. We need to be really proud.
鈥淚t is awesome.鈥�
Before he raced, I had a chat to cyclist Ryan Aitcheson 鈥� the USA Criterium Points Champion in 2016 and who came 1st place in Snake Alley last year.
He said he liked criterium racing because of the speed and agility required.
鈥淭aking corners at 50km/h and sprinting as hard as you can above 60km/h. It is quite a thrill,鈥� he said.
鈥淎 big crowd really gets the racers motivated to go faster. It is a new course that is 1km long with some tight corners. "With it being Provincial Championships also, it should bring a bit more of the competitiveness out of all the racers.鈥�
Damian Dollison, who competed in the Men鈥檚 Masters A, and daughter Oliver. 鈥� Elisia Seeber
But the event wasn't all about cycling; it was also a chance to enjoy some food and a beer in the sunshine with friends.
麻豆传媒映画resident Briana Ingram enjoyed an ice cream while she cheered on her friend.
鈥淚 came to watch my friend race and he just won!鈥� she said. 鈥淚t has been a really good day.
鈥淭he beer garden and the food trucks are nice and the event is right in the middle of the city which is awesome.鈥�
Brianna Ingram says the event was a lot of fun and enjoyed the food trucks. 鈥� Elisia Seeber
George Campbell enjoys some food from Flying Fish Chipper. 鈥� Elisia Seeber
This year's race served as the Provincial Criterium Championship for 2018 and 2019. 麻豆传媒映画is Awesome partnered with聽聽to bring us the new, family-friendly event.
For more information and for race winners head to the website.
