Chess on wheels comes to the Bay

BYRON Bay Cycle Club’s Summer Set of criterium races will kick off on November 3, bringing high-speed cycling to the Cavanbah Centre

Three events will be held in November and December and are open to cyclists of all ages and abilities who hold a race licence.

The events are run over a short course at the Cavanbah Centre, where riders will race for 40 minutes before bringing it home for the final three laps.

Club secretary Mat Johnson described criterium racing as “chess on wheels”.

“It’s very tactical, there’s a lot of strategy involved,” Mr Johnson said.

It was about playing to your strengths as a rider and knowing who you were racing, he said.

“If you don’t, it’s just going to be the strongest rider wins. You have to use tactics.”

Past events run by the club have attracted up to 50 cyclists from the Northern Rivers, Grafton and the Gold Coast.

He encouraged female and junior cyclists to enter. And for those new to the format, they are offering a chaperone – a more experienced rider to share their knowledge to help navigate the race.

Criterium racing can look daunting, Mr Johnson said, but there are rules and etiquette that riders follow to ensure safety.

The track is mostly oval-shaped with a few kinks that test riders’ cornering skills. It’s a flat track on smooth, fast bitumen but is subject to some changing wind conditions that will challenge riders, he said.

Spectators are encouraged, as are those who want to find out more about cycle racing and the club.

“Criterium racing is very fast-paced. It’s visceral – it allows spectators to get right next to the track and feel the speed and the action as the riders go past,” Mr Johnson said.

Race two is on November 24 and race three on December 8. Each event will have a podium presentation.