Canberra riders dominate the NSW Grand Prix Series

It was an amazingly successful weekend for Canberra riders at the NSW Grand Prix Series with Canberra riders finishing on the podium in all races.  It all started yesterday in Cronulla when Kimberly Wells racing for Team Specialised Securitor took out the women's race after Ashlee Ankudinoff (AIS), who crossed the line first, was disqualified for not following official instructions.

Then Michael Matthews, racing for the last time with Rabobank, won the men's elite race in sprint finish ahead of Aaron Gate and future Orica-GreenEdge teammate Jens Mouri. The Canberra Cycling Club crits season certainly helped Matthews prepare the Grand Prix Series. Post race, Matthews told Cycling News that "We've been training pretty hard [in Canberra], just base k' but nothing too major yet. I've got a big season with Orica-GreenEdge and I'm trying to peak a little bit later in the season."

Image captured from Cycling News

Twenty four hours later and Canberra riders were repeating the success of Cronulla.  This time under windy and testing conditions around the Wollongong circuit. Gracie Elvin, who will be racing with GreenEdge-AIS in 2013, helped teammate Ashlee Ankudinoff (AIS) win the elite women's race and taking second place for herself. Gracie and Ankudinoff worked exceptional well to get away for the breakaway and won comfortably in the end. I hope you got your swim in Gracie, as you deserved it after a great race.  

The men's elite race was also characterised by breakways and constant attacks. Canberra riders Joe Lewis (GPM Wilson Racing), Michael Matthews and Tom Palmer (Drapac) were in the leading breakaway coming into the final laps. Unfortunately Joe Lewis could not keep with the winning breakaway. On the last lap, Palmer attacked to take out an impressive victory after finishing fourth yesterday.  Matthews finished third and took out the series.

It has been a very successful month for Palmer who took at the 1.2 UCI rated Tour de Okinawa in late November.

Image Capture from SBS - Cycling Central

The late season form for Matthews suggests that he will be looking for another stage win at the Tour Down Under with new team Orica-GreenEdge. He will also be one of the early favourites for the National titles, especially with the course change in 2013.

Just on a side note, John Forrest (VCC) won the Masters event at Cronulla as well.

Does it get any better for Canberra cycling on the Australia's cycling stage?  Canberra - well and truly the premier cycling city after the weekend.