Cycling: Races right on the doorstep

Sarah Ulmer

Encouraged by the success of last year's series, the excitement of criterium racing will be back for another three races starting in Newmarket on Sunday.

World points race champion Greg Henderson is already confirmed for the third race which will double as the New Zealand criterium championship, but series organiser Peter Ulmer is confident all races will be closely-fought.

"We have gone for high-profile locations and at a time when we should capture public interest," said Ulmer, whose sister Sarah won Olympic gold in Athens.

The second race in the series will be contested over a 1200m circuit on December 11 in her home town of Cambridge but Sarah Ulmer is uncertain whether she will be "on the mike or bike".

Sunday's race will be over a tight 700m circuit adjacent to the Olympic Pool with seven corners in each lap making for a spectacular event.

Already confirmed is Christchurch-based Hayden Godfrey who has committed to all three races.

Richard Bowker, who won the first race last year in a controversial finish after Matthew Yates crashed, is overseas but will be back for the last two events.

Each event will cater for two races for schoolchildren and two open races with women expected to line-up in the open B grade for the first two weekends.

There will be a separate [New Zealand championship] women's race on the third weekend with all races over a testing 1200m circuit in central Takapuna.

Around $10,000 in prizemoney will be at stake in the quickfire events aimed at bringing top class, high speed cycling to the public. All races will be over a timed, rather than distance duration, with a whistle signalling two laps to ride and a bell at the start of the last.

CRITERIUM SERIES

Sunday: Davis Cres, Newmarket, from 8.30am.

December 11: Main Rd, Cambridge, from 2.30pm.

December 18: Hurstmere Rd, Takapuna, from 5.30pm.