Fit Fun Fast Femme - and FABULOUS at RoadNats
Words by Vanessa Johnson. Pics by Santel Bush, Maya Photos, Jane Yang, AusCycling
The Perth cycling community is buzzing after the enormous success of the AusCycling Road National Championships. I am especially proud of our 4F teams and members - as such a small club we definitely punched well above our weight in the female Masters categories, and we thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie and friendship that comes from racing as a team.
Leading into the event there was a lot of uncertainty around creating teams, with different membership rules for each event. We have always respected our members’ allegiances to their primary clubs, and we view the AusCycling Club Add-On membership as a great way to provide female-specific support and health information that might not be available through some clubs. But it made creating teams for the Team Time Trial difficult - primary club members only, add-on members only if the primary club wasn’t fielding a team in the category. There was a lot of frantic emailing and messaging - and not just by 4F! In the end we were able to put forward two teams (150+ & 180+) who rocked the coral around the Bold Park circuit. The 150+ team came in 4th in category, and the 180+ team took out the win, also finishing 5th overall!
The Masters Team Club Criterium was scheduled for Friday lunchtime in the heart of Northbridge. Again, 4F were struggling for team numbers a fortnight out from the event, but this time there was no restriction on club add-on members. It was time to think laterally. I contacted my friend Deb Latouf who was competing in the Team Time Trial with Anne Elliott and Laurelea Moss for Sunshine Coast CC - would they be keen on joining forces with 4F for the crit? Yes! Add-on members Nikki Pursell and Jane Yang were recruited too, and together with Cathy Bush, Monika Murcha, Vanessa Johnson and Julie Pham, 4F were able to field teams in both WMAS1-4 (age 30-49) and WMAS5+ (age 50+).
The Northbridge circuit was exciting. Six right angle corners, 5 of them turning right, one tight through the James St roundabout. Both categories were on course at the same time, with WMAS1-4 starting 30 seconds ahead of WMAS5+. Laurelea sparkled in WMAS1-4, racing smart to take maximum sprint points and the win. WMAS5+ was a tactical race, with Deb, Vanessa and Jane pushing an early break with Mandy in the RCCC colours, dwindling to three, and then back to four as Anne Elliott bridged. Deb and Vanessa were first and second in the mid-race and final sprint, with Anne 4th and Cathy earning the remaining points for the team win.
The final event was the Gran Fondo which was a sell-out. All the women started in wave 8, and as the race progressed riders were spread across the 6 lap course. Six times up Malcolm Street took its toll, and many riders cramped. 4F members again sparkled, taking out many podiums - kudos to Giselle Hosgood, Deb Latouf, Anne Elliott and Laurelea Moss (fastest Gran Fondo female on course) for standing on the top step.
“The three race courses have been a hit, and in my opinion, it’s not only because they’re different to Ballarat, but they’re also better: inner city, hot mix, visibility. Perth is a stunning city and the crowds and vibes are all there. I’d love to have my time again chasing the elite dreams on these courses. But the masters events are a tonne of fun and I genuinely can’t wait to come back next year. ”
While the results were fantastic, for me, the friendships that grew and the team vibe were the highlights of RoadNats. 4Five+ have a mission to support and inspire women to race and be active, and it was incredibly rewarding to provide opportunities for our members to race at a national level. I’m sure the numbers will grow next year, and I’m already thinking ahead to what we can do to better support our ageless athletes. Be part of the fun and join 4F here!
4F Member Results
Club Team Time Trial
150+: 4 Cathy Bush, Denisse Knight, Sherilyn Mathewson, Monika Murcha
180+: 1 Alison Dyson, Giselle Hosgood, Vanessa Johnson, Jenny Sammons
Club Team Criterium
WMAS1-4: Team: 3 Laurelea Moss, Monika Murcha, Julie Pham
Individual: 1 Laurelea Moss
WMAS5+: Team: 1 Cathy Bush, Anne Elliott, Vanessa Johnson, Deb Latouf, Nikki Pursell, Jane Yang
ParaCycling RR - Women's C4
4 Jo Blacker
Gran Fondo
W35-39: 8 Julie Pham
W45-49: 1 Laurelea Moss , 4 Rebecca Kelly , 5 Monika Murcha
W50-54: 6 Jane Yang , 7 Cathy Bush , 8 Turi Innes-Manning
W55-59: 1 Anne Elliott, 2 Tanya Birkbeck
W60-64: 1 Deborah Latouf
W65-69: 1 Giselle Hosgood
M50-54: 8 Adam Ralph, 53 Greg Murray
