The final round on our home roads was one we had been looking forward to and set our sights on. A strong team consisting of Ryan Thomas, Brent Rees, Dylan Proctor-Parker, Matthew Lambert, Alex Baker and Josh Beikoff. 

Stage 1: Lakeside Raceway Kermesse

We kicked off at Lakeside with a fast, aggressive race plan. With 80km around a 2.4km race track we know very well, we were excited to animate the race, which we did with all riders. Matt made a crucial break of four riders in the final 5 laps. Dylan bridged across with 3 to go, making it tough for the other teams. Dylan dropped his other breakaway companions with 1.5 laps to go and stayed away until just 1 km to go. Brent tried to contest the sprint, but a blistering 75 km/h finish wasn’t in our favour.

Stage 2: Murarrie Criterium Drama and Podium 

After an aggressive start and average speed at 49km/h, Ryan wanted to make it hard with some crosswinds, setting up Dylan to attack and spend most of the race off the front with a group of three. The group of 3 were caught with 8 laps to go. With four laps to go, a big crash halted the race—Matt was involved, though thankfully all ended up okay. After the restart, Brent protected Ryan perfectly and positioned him on a good wheel coming into the final lap. Ryan was led into prime position on the back of the Ccache Bodywrap team leadout and finished third—elevated to second after a relegation ahead. Another podium for the team! 

Some wild stats- the final 3 laps (3.6km) were done at an average speed of 57.6km/h!! 

Stage 3: Mount Mee – The Queen Stage

A 16.5km circuit with 315m elevation gain per lap was going to make for an attritional race. Positioning was going to be key after hearing of crashes in the women’s race so the plan was to stay safe and up the front early. Despite early crashes, we all stayed upright. Dylan tested the peloton mid-race with a 1 lap breakaway, but the course was too selective for long breaks.

In the final lap after the race had been whittled down to a group of 20 riders, Ryan and Dylan set Brent up perfectly putting pressure on down the descent and protecting his position in the reduced peloton. Brent attacked on the final climb, getting a small gap over the other climbers, but was caught by the eventual winner, Oliver Sims from Cobra9, and what was left of the peloton. Brent held on for 11th on the stage, securing 8th overall. Dylan finished 15th, Ryan 18th, and we claimed 2nd in the teams classification.

A brilliant way to wrap the series!