All photo's by David Lane of
www.actionsnaps.com.au The Sydney Christmas Carnivals for 2011 were conducted over 5 straight days at four different venues. The carnivals kicked off at the Dunc Gray Velodrome on the 27th December before venturing to the concrete velodrome of Tempe. Next was the newly refurbished Hurstville oval followed by the 440m round Lidcombe track and on the final day (New Years Eve) returning to where it started at the DGV.
A Grade The 2011 National Omnium champion Scott Law managed to hold off a mid series challenge from National Time Trial Champion J-L Rathbone to claim the Sydney Christmas Carnival champion honours for 2011. In the final days he established enough of a buffer so that he could afford to offer some assistance to his younger brother Jackson who climbed his way into third overall.
The highlight of the A Grade racing was indeed on Day 1 and Day 5 when the Korean National team paid us a visit. These days quickly turned into a slug fest of super fast racing. Many experienced cycling enthusiasts spoke with me and indicated that what they witnessed was some of the most scintillating competition that they had ever seen.
Women Tennille Falappi made the long journey with her family from Cairns to once again take on the solid field of women. Tennille used the Sydney Christmas Carnivals last year as preparation for the National championships where she successfully secured two medals. This year she has succeeded in winning the series and we look forward to a solid performance later this month in South Australia, where she will be campaigning for a position on the Australian Junior World’s team.
B Grade B Grade was a battle all the way to the final event of the final day with Queenslanders Dylan Newbery and Gerald O’Connell being challenged by Coffs Harbour’s Nathan Hardaker for supremacy. In the end it was youth that triumphed over experience with Dylan taking the spoils. Dylan is a young triathlete who has turned his attention to track cycling over the last 6 months. He hopes to make the Queensland selection team for the national titles later this month.
C Grade This division was billed as the great confrontation between Grant Law and Peter Barnard, however, it all ended in disappointment for Law when he arrived at the velodrome without his race bag. We have all done this before, however, despite plenty of people offering assistance with loan apparel, Law became superstitious and viewed the mishap as an omen of potential doom and elected not to race. Barnard took the series unopposed.
D Grade From day 1 Victorian Jeff Drury dominated this division but was full of praise for his D grade compatriots and the friendly but competitive nature of the Sydney based carnivals.
As always these domestic events would not be possible without the support of the local businesses that provide prizes including: BBB sunglasses, Shimano components, A`qto street wear, TWE Wheels, Bernard Beer, CNSW, PPS Physiotherapy Carlingford, Bankstown Sports club and Kirrawee Cycles. Please support those who support your sport.
