Mark Astley won Nowra Velo Club's division one criterium on the Albatross Aviation Tech Park on Sunday while Ryan Fleming had his first race win in his first race in the division two event.
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Astley won by two lengths from Aaron Coghlan after this pair had given the division one field the slip at half distance.
Astley had been in an earlier escape move with Jade Colligan but this had been reeled back in and then Astley was off again, alone this time.
Coghlan quickly crossed the gap and joined Astley to work together to the finish.
Into the bell lap on the 800m circuit these two had a half lap lead on 14 chasing riders. Astley was first into the finish straight and held his lead to the line.
There were some noted sprinters in the chase bunch that were now racing for third position but Jade Colligan used some cornering skills to get through to the front as the race turned into the finish.
Colligan hit out from the corner and took distance. Ben Wallis was the closest and chased and closed in on Colligan but was held to a length on the line.
After Colligan and Wallis was Brooklyn Henry followed by Steve Gendek, Brendon Miller, Andrew Reed, Tim Llewellyn, Adam Stephenson, Liam Wallis, Mark Williams, Josh Henry, Richard Vitiello, Tim Devlin and Anthony Field.
Liam Wallis was having his first start in a higher grade after being elevated from D grade and showed his improvement by being in the mix as the race for the minor position was on over the closing laps.
Ryan Fleming was having his first bike race on this program after having some adventures in junior triathlons.
After some instructions and tips on criterium racing he started at the back of the field. Showing some hesitation through the early corners, Ryan soon moved up the field and then to the front as the riders swarmed into the finish straight and displaying his youthful vigour, he surged to the line with a two length win.
The ever consistent Jo Chalain was second over the finish followed by Graham Johns, Ashley Johns, Hubert Driehuis, Adrian McMillan, Matt O'Hearn, Marcus Hepburn, Rod Pierce, Steve Daley and Jamie Overton.
Criterium racing continues for the Nowra Velo Club next Sunday on the Albatross Aviation Tech Park circuit starting at 8.30am.