2023 Twilight Crits
“Loved it. Loved supporting it. Loved how many women came to race. 10/10 best race going around. ”
Round 3 A&B Grade Chase by Nikki Pursell
4Five+ aim to provide a fun, safe, encouraging environment where women can enjoy racing. Where women are the centre of attention, and their needs are prioritized. The 2023 4Five+ Twilight Series again delivered female-focused racing with all the things women want: low cost entries, family-friendly scheduling, entry flexibility, skills sessions, and grades to suit all abilities.
It was fantastic to see the enthusiasm of the 46 racers who pinned on a number. Ten first-timers lit up the fields across D & C Grade, and the large cohort of junior racers (~10 each round) bodes well for the future of women’s racing in WA. The A&B handicap provided a race format not available elsewhere in WA, and each week it was exciting to see A Grade chase down B Grade.
The feedback from participating racers has been very positive - many thanks to those who completed the survey, your responses will be used to guide our plans for 2024.
“Loved that it was ladies only, great that its a shortish race. Perfect series to get into racing, and as its ladies only it is not as intimidating as other races”
Pics: 1 Lyndon Greeshaw, 2&3 Daji Yu, 4 Sherilyn Mathewson
The welcoming atmosphere is the jewel in the crown of the series, and it is crucial in supporting women new to racing. The Midvale venue continues to be popular with racers. The circuit’s intimate & technical layout makes it ideal for short & sharp races: the smaller women’s fields which can feel ‘lost’ on longer circuits enjoy spicy racing on the short course. Finding a ‘right’ time of year to stage the series is always going to be a challenge, but the flexibility in team rosters meant riders were able to sub in and out, and only two teams fielded the same riders each round.
“I think the circuit is brilliant, short, tight and not totally flat. Going in and out of the Dome was great and the circuit is great for spectators and parking”
Round 2 pics by Daji Yu
4F TWILIGHT SERIES RESULTS
It was a tight finish for the teams prizes with the final result decided in the last race of the series, and only one point separating the top two teams!!
Teams Prize
1. SPR-1: Monika Murcha, Shirley Dow-Vine, Natalya Tsirigotis
2. Drysoc x Chaotic Energy: Marion Mundt, Lauren Humphreys, Claire Rapson, Lucie Fityus
3. X-Speed Team 1: Scarlett Sibbel, Charlotte McFarland, Charlotte Khorshid, Viana Najafian
Rider 45+: 1 Monika Murcha, 2 Nikki Pursell 3 Natalya Tsirigotis
Rider of the Series: Nikki Pursell
Best entry comments: Rhianna Farrell (getting Marion-ated )
L to R: Winning team SPR-1 - Shirley Monika Natalya: Teams podium - Lauren Marion Shirley Natalya Monika Charlotte M Charlotte K: 45+ podium - Nikki Monika Natalya , Rider of the series - Nikki Pursell
ROUND BY ROUND RESULTS
This year we awarded podiums each round. Special mentions to Marion Mundt who had a cracking series and inspired a Super A handicap, and first-time crit racer Monika Murcha dominated D Grade - the handicapper may suggest C Grade for 2024!
ROUND 1
A/B CHASE: 1 Marion Mundt 2 Lauren Humphreys 3 Corrie Johnstone 4 Maddie Pitt 5 Stacey Thomas
C GRADE: 1 Charlotte McFarland 2 Remy Patterson 3 Megan Stalker 4 Ava Rodgers 5 Nikki Pursell
D GRADE: 1 Monika Murcha 2 Rebecca Speirs 3 Natalya Tsirigotis 4 Olivia Janjetic 5 Ruby Gallagher
ROUND 2
A/B Chase: 1 Marion Mundt 2. Claire Rapson 3. Scarlett Sibbel 4. Lauren Humphreys 5. Tanya Birkbeck
C Grade: 1. Amber Cartwright 2. Viana Najafian 3. Megan Stalker 4. Nikki Pursell
D Grade Monika Murcha 2. Roberta Richardson 3. Jennah Douglas 4. Olivia Janjetic 5. Ruby Gallagher
U11 Suzie Harding
ROUND 3
A/B Chase: 1 Lucie Fityus 2 Scarlett Sibbel 3 Marion Mundt 4 Yael Gardner 5 Rebecca Kelly A Prime Marion Mundt B Prime Madeline Pitt
C Grade: 1 Charlotte McFarland 2 Ava Rodgers 3 Mel Buckland 4 Alejandra Rojas Jordan 5 Nikki Pursell, Prime Charlotte McFarland
D Grade: 1 Monika Murcha 2 Elizabeth Moss 3 Natalya Tsirigotis 4 Shirley Dow-Vine 5 Olivia Janjetic, Prime Monika Murcha
Pics by Lyndon Greeshaw
Thankyou!
A big thank you to our volunteers who gave their time to make racing happen - especially Ben Thorman for commentating each week - who will forget the Ramp of Dreams! Thanks also to our Commissaires Richard Barville & Sam Bolton who also put in long afternoons helping with set-up and packing away.
And finally, sincere thanks to our sponsors and supporters who helped make the 4F Twilight Series (and the fun prizes) possible:
AusCycling - WA Clubs and Community
WA Cyclocross
Midland CC
Roues Chaudes CC
