Twilights 2024
Crit season starts so hard on the heels of Tour of Margaret River that riders and organisers alike have barely had time to catch their breath. Yet, here we are, looking back at a fourth edition of the much-loved 4F Twilight Criterium Series.
This year there were two rounds - a Twilight Twinset, if you like. AusCycling accredited coaches Bec Wheadon and Ben Thorman ran skills sessions before each crit to help newbies and experienced racers alike hone their crit skills. We were excited to have six brand new crit racers participate in the series - this is really what these events are about. A fun, friendly, welcoming atmosphere, where women and girls can feel supported as they take on the challenge of bike racing.
In Round 1 the junior girls were very fortunate to have pro team racers Mackenzie Coupland [Liv AlUla Jayco Women's Continental Team] and Lucie Fityus [newly signed to Michel Mavic Auber93] chaperone them during their race. Mackenzie and Lucie later joined in the A & B Chase for some exciting racing, with A Grade catching B Grade in just 7 minutes!
Mackenzie Coupland, Marion Mundt & Lucie Fityus. By Lyndon Greeshaw
D Grade attracted great numbers across both rounds - perfect for first time racers to develop confidence. C Grade entries were smaller than usual, and raced on course at the same time as D Grade - which gave some of the D Graders a chance to stretch their legs.
Pics above: By Lyndon Greeshaw - D & C start Round 1, RCCC team fun. By Neil McLagan - Kathleen McGinley. Skills session.
The team points were close going into Round 2. The Three Stooges started with a 6 point lead over RCCC, closely followed by Where are the Green Sheep? The RCCC team put in a spicy effort in D Grade, coming away with a solid 1st & 2nd placing for Victoria Burrows-Bilton & Dee Jennings. Mechanical drama was the order of the day in the A & B Chase: Charlotte Khorshid had multiple chain drops (those tree roots in the last corner!) and Marion Mundt punctured, swapping onto Summer Robert’s bike to finish the race for morale. You can see a video of Marion making a quick tube change here!
Pics above: By Lyndon Greeshaw - A & B Chase Round 1, Rebecca Kelly. By Daji Yu escape - JAACKED, Amy Ross, Annabel Kidd, Charlotte Khorshid. By Neil McLagan - Diane Chisolm
RESULTS
JUNIORS
1. Beatrice Burrows-Bilton, 2 Ava McNee & Jesse Gallagher
RACERS 45+
1 Summer Roberts, 2 Monika Murcha, 3 Nikki Pursell
RIDER OF THE SERIES
Congratulations to our first-time crit racers who joined in both rounds: Liz Verbiesen, Lina Tirado, Kathleen McGinley
TEAM PRIZE
1. RCCC - Victoria Burrows-Bilton, Diane Chisolm, Dee Jennings
2. Where Are The Green Sheep? Nikki Pursell, Lina Tirado, Liz Verbiesen
3. The Three Stooges - Marion Mundt, Claire Tyrell, Summer Roberts
Presentation pics by Richard Barville
Many thanks to our sponsors and supporters who make the 4F Twilight Series possible:
AusCycling - WA Clubs and Community - venue & logistics
escape.cc - prizes
City of Swan - venue grant
Optimise Cycle Coaching - Ben Thorman
Midland Cycle Club - equipment loan
Roues Chaudes Cycling Club - race vouchers
WA Cyclocross (Western Australia) - equipment loan
And to our volunteers & crew in key roles, we are very grateful for your time & expertise: Sherilyn Mathewson on registration, Kate Boulton as equipment wrangler, Greg Murray & Ben Thorman (the ramp of dreams!) for commentary, Ann Clifton First Aid, Andy Lilley on the finish line with a rotation of helpers, Sam Bolton & Richard Barville as Commissaires.
