QRTS to return with a bang in Moreton Bay

18 Jun 2021 | 01:01 PMBy: Josh Davies

The AusCycling Queensland Road Team Series (QRTS) returns for the first time in 2021 this weekend in the Moreton Bay Region.

The top men’s, women’s and masters QRTS teams will go wheel to wheel in the tough time trial heavy opening day in Elimbah, followed by Sunday’s road races in Wamuran.

Race director Mike Crawley said the course had been designed with the teams’ best interest in mind.

“Being the first race weekend of the series, the focus has been to maintain a simple course design emphasising fast time trials on Saturday, and sprints and QOM/KOMs in the Sunday road race which allow teams to develop their strategy together,” Crawley said.

“I would like to thank Moreton Bay Regional Council (MBRC) for their enthusiasm to bring the QRTS to their region.

“We are here in Wamuran and Elimbah thanks to the development funding provided by MBRC.”

Balmoral

With National Road Series (NRS) events on the horizon, including the Tour de Brisbane and Tour of the Tropics, Queensland’s elite riders will be out to sharpen the top end ahead of a busy July schedule in the Sunshine State.

ARA Pro Racing Sunshine Coast, Tandem Co x Attaquer Pro Cycling, and NCMG Criterion Racing are the three NRS teams taking part in the opening round of the QRTS this weekend.

ARA Pro Racing Sunshine Coast will arrive in Elimbah and Wamuran as arguably the strongest team in the race, with any one of their eight riders capable of winning on Saturday and Sunday. The ARA Pro Racing Sunshine Coast team also boasts the one-two trump card of brothers Michael and Matthew Rice, both racing as individuals in a composite team.

Tandem Co x Attaquer Pro Cycling is always in the mix when QRTS rolls around and will be looking for the combination of youth and experience in James Panizza and Matthew Lambert to shine in the road race on Sunday.

Tandem Co x Attaquer Pro Cycling is also the current Queensland TTT Champions, so don’t be surprised to see the Brisbane-based team standing on the top step after Stage 2.

Other names to look out for in Round 1 of the QRTS include Cobra9 Intebuild Elite Team’s triple threat of Rhys Robotham, Carter Bettles and Ryan Cavanagh, as well as Gold Coast CC Elite’s dangerous trio of Kane Richards, Riley Fleming and Jesse Ewart.

In the women’s race, ARA Pro Racing Sunshine Coast will again enter as the dominant team on paper.

ARA

ARA’s Anya Louw has impressed through the opening rounds of the 2021 NRS season and currently holds the U23 jersey. New teammate Cassia Boglio has also been showing signs of form in the 2021 AusCycling Esports National Series with two wins out of three events.

ARA Pro Racing Sunshine Coast won’t have it all their way, however, thanks to Scody Racing p/b Balmoral CC.

Scody Racing p/b Balmoral CC’s Hayley Jones and Claire Battle were active in the recent inaugural Gibraltar to Inverell des Femmes and should figure strongly around the Moreton Bay region this weekend.

Other names to keep an eye on include Rachael Wales (VeloFit Australia Racing Team), guest riding for Solaris Racing, and Francesca Sewell (Roxsolt Liv SRAM), who is entered as an individual but will join ARA Pro Racing Sunshine Coast in the TTT.

Stage breakdown

Stage 1 – Individual Time Trial (10km)

A simple out and back individual time trial to get the series underway. At only 10km, this will be a fast and flat hit out to get the legs moving – we expect it will be another cool morning.

Stage 2 – Team Time Trial (30km)

At first glance, this course is relatively straightforward, however limited climbs, combined with a short overall distance will deceive teams into believing it will not be challenging. Teams will need to work together over the various lumps passing the turf and strawberry farms.

Stage 3 – Road Race (76.3km - Men; 65.5km - Women and Masters)

Sunday's finale in Wamuran focuses again on team strategy and features a gruelling hilltop finish. Riders complete multiple short laps on the flats with one sprint up for grabs each lap. Teams will work to stick together and position their climbers favourably before they ascend the hill. The climb features two QOM/KOMs as well as a hilltop finish. This is a steep and technical climb in places, which is expected to challenge the field.

QRTS Round 1 – Moreton Bay Region