EMCC set to push the pedals in summer crit series

By Alexander Dabb

Oct 18, 2023

On a roll: Levi Hone will head into the EMCC 2023-24 summer crit series as the defending champion. Photo: EMCC/Richard Bailey.

Echuca Moama Cycling Club will be back in action on Friday night, with the first event in the club’s summer criterium series being held.

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A fast-paced and intense format, criterium racing is held on a looped course, with riders racing for a pre-determined length of time or number of laps, with the winner being the first across the line on the final lap of the circuit.

C and D-grade racing will begin at 6pm at the EMCC clubrooms, with A- and B-grade set to roll off the start line at 6.30pm.

Young gun Levi Hone is the reigning EMCC criterium champion in A-grade, while Cameron Smith holds the title in B-grade after a superb solo victory in the summer series finale earlier this year.

Bryce Denham is the defending C-grade champion, while Martyn Currey claimed the D-grade honours.

Registration will commence at 5.30pm, with the season opener a free event for all competitors.

Award winners crowned

Club champions: Echuca Moama Cycling Club’s 2023 club champions Jack Arnold, Levi Hone, Gordan Durnan, Melanie Smolenaars and Darren McKemmish. Photo: Supplied.

EMCC also crowned its award winners last Sunday, with a host of riders recognised for their fantastic winter road series seasons.

Levi Hone rode away with a big haul of trophies, claiming both the A-grade road race and time trial club champion titles, the most consistent rider award, and both the Gunbarrel Handicap trophy and Ivan and Lorraine Collings overall series win.

Jack Arnold was named best first-year rider and the most-improved rider after claiming the B-grade road race club championship in his first season with the club.

Gordan Durnan was recognised as the B-grade time trial club champion, while Darren McKemmish claimed medals for both the road race and time trial club championship in C-grade.

Winners are grinners: EMCC 2023 trophy race winners Heather Lias, Claire Goodman, Jane McMullan and Levi Hone. Photo: Supplied.

David Oman and Melanie Smolenaars picked up an award each, having won the D-grade time trial and road race club championships, respectively.

Heather Lias and Jane McMullan were acknowledged after claiming the club’s major trophy races. Lias took out the Harry’s Handicap and Roberta Hamilton Celebration Cup events, while McMullan was first across the line in the Lockington Handicap.