Club esports leaders face late threat with one round to go

With one round remaining, Bathurst Cycling Club has narrowed the gap to series leader Waratah Masters Cycling Club after a string of close results in Round 11 of the AusCycling National Club Cycling Esports Series.

The round took place on the New York ‘Knickerboker’ course, featuring 23km of scenic Central Park punctuated by a demanding KOM segment midway through the race.

Gradients topped out at 17 per cent on the steepest section, with bonus points available on the climb and the sprint section leading into it.

In Men’s A, Christopher Ball (Randwick CC) and Connor Reardon (Gold Coast CC) battled it out the whole way, with Reardon just coming out on top, 63-62.

Nick Spratt (Waratah Masters CC) and Brett McMurtrie (Waratah Masters CC) backed up their wins from last week in Men’s B and Men’s C respectively, while Rhy Baker (Bathurst CC) and James Salafia (Waratah Masters CC) couldn’t be separated in Men’s D, finishing tied on 62 points each.

In Women’s A Jess Bemrose (Gold Coast CC) ended Marjan McGarry’s (Randwick CC) run of victories with a one-point win, while Ella Falzarano (Bathurst CC) and Sarah Beames (Hamilton Wheelers CC) also held on for single-point victories in Women’s B and D respectively. Bathurst collected over 200 points in those two categories alone.

Louise Briety (Mudgee CC) recorded the other win in Women’s C, helping bring her western NSW club into the top 10.

On the overall leaderboard, Waratah Masters CC holds onto top place, but its lead over Bathurst has shrunk to less than 300 points, meaning its riders will need to stay focused to close out the series tonight.

Replay

Standings after round 11

Waratah Masters Cycling Club 4559
Bathurst Cycling Club 4283
Randwick Cycling Club 2748
Vikings Cycling Club 2504
University of Queensland Cycling Club 1721
Gold Coast Cycling Club 1564
Northern Sydney Cycling Club 1292
Southern Cross Cycling Club 1233
Mackay Cycling Club 1117
Mudgee Cycling Club 832

For full standings, visit the AusCycling National Club Cycling Esports Series page.