News Shorts - 4 March

**The Belgian Spring Classics are fast approaching.**
The BiciSport *Flanders Follies* website updates commence from 11 March and there will be seven weekly editions of *Flanders Follies.*
**You can get weekly Belgian updates here every Monday in BiciSport News plus a broader overview on all things Belgium in BiciSport Special Events (… *the When, the Where and the How* …)**

**Waratah Masters @ Lansdowne Park @ 3 Mar - Ian Grant (BiciSport Anytime Fitness) took the B grade win with Eric Dole (right) an excellent 5th**

**Waratah Masters @ Lansdowne Park @ 3 Mar - Ian Grant on the start line**

**Waratah Masters @ Lansdowne Park @ 3 Mar - Eric Dole on the start line**

**Waratah Masters @ Lansdowne Park @ 3 Mar - Ian Grant in B grade mid race**

**Waratah Masters @ Lansdowne Park @ 3 Mar - Eric Dole leads team mate Ian Grant in B grade**

**Heffron Park Tuesday Night Criteriums @ 27 Feb - Christian Quintero (BiciSport Happy Wheels) takes third outright**

**Heffron Park Tuesday Night Criteriums @ 27 Feb - Christian Quintero (BiciSport Happy Wheels) takes third outright on the right with Julian Arias in the middle for 5th**

**Heffron Park Tuesday Night Criteriums @ 27 Feb - Christian Quintero (BiciSport Happy Wheels) takes third outright with Julian Arias 5th (far right)**

**Heffron Park Tuesday Night Criteriums @ 27 Feb - Christian Quintero**

**Heffron Park Tuesday Night Criteriums @ 27 Feb - Rolly Delaytz rode well in B grade**

**Heffron Park Tuesday Night Criteriums @ 27 Feb - Julian Arias rode very well for 5th outright**

**Heffron Park Tuesday Night Criteriums @ 27 Feb - Julian Soto was a big improver in C grade**

**Heffron Park Tuesday Night Criteriums @ 27 Feb - Rolly Delaytz sitting in 5th place (fluro shoes) on the Heffron finishing straight**

**Heffron Park Tuesday Night Criteriums @ 27 Feb - MOR solo on the Pimple Hill**

**Heffron Park Tuesday Night Criteriums @ 27 Feb - post race post mortem**

**Heffron Park Tuesday Night Criteriums @ 27 Feb - BiciSport Happy Wheels starting line up from L to R … Rolly Delaytz, Julian Arias, MOR, Christian Quintero & Julian Soto**

RACE SEEKER - THIS WEEK

10 Mar
- West Head Road Race (Manly CC)
  - BiciSport starters - Eric Dole
- 3 Peaks Challenge Cyclosportive (Falls Creek, Vic)
- Eastern Creek Raceway Criteriums (Waratah Masters)

BICISPORT TRAINING RIDES

Every Mon/Wed/Fri Mornings
- Gruppo Molteni @ Centennial Park
  - Gruppo Molteni meet at the corner of Parkes Drive/Grand Drive at 8.20am and do CP laps until 9.30am then coffee at the Spruce Goose Cafe
Tues 5 Mar & Thurs 7 Mar
- Blossoms & Buds Peloton @ pass the corner of Yulong Ave & McCarrs Creek Rd Terrey Hills @ 8.00am for Akuna Bay, top of McCarrs Creek Rd climb at 8.40am, then direction Duffys Forest, then return Terrey Hills shops @ 9.15am then to St Ives for coffee
- Centennial Park Lower Loop from 5.30am to 7.45am
Thurs 7 Mar
- Belgian Waffle Ride @ Spruce Goose Cafe @ Centennial Park @ 10.30am for CP laps
Sat 9 Mar
- Coffee @ Sandstone Cafe Miramare Gardens @ 9.30am
Sun 10 Mar
- Depart Shark Park carpark near Cronulla @ 9.30am for Kurnell & return

GRAFTON to INVERELL CLASSIC ENTERS THE UNKNOWN

When it comes to cycling icons then look no further than the mighty Grafton to Inverell Classic - 228k of pure cycling history and a winners rostrum of ultimate distinction. If you’re Victorian they may have their beloved Melbourne to Warnambool Classic (longer in distance with an equally prestigious podium history). But things are changing in 2024.

The Grafton used to be a single race handicap, with limit markers (who started first) set at approximately 75 minutes. The Grafton organisation set the trend several years ago to dispense with the 75 minute handicap concept, and introduce graded scratch races. At the time this was revolutionary and succeeded - with A/B/C grades departing Grafton for the epic 228k journey.

In 2024 the Grafton Classic graded scratch races are gone, and the only two bunches that depart Grafton are now not graded by ability (simply NRS or age based). Another major shift in emphasis is that some races now depart from Mount Mitchell and avoid the Gibraltar Range climb all together. How will it fly ? … no idea but entry levels will be watched with keen interest.