Brown leads home a quality criterium field

Jackson Brown proved too good for a quality field at the Peel District Cycling Club’s annual criterium championships at the weekend.

Picture by Steve Powell: Adam Wise and Emily McRedmond battling it out around the back of the course on Sunday.

Brown finished the seven-rider A-Grade race comfortably clear of visiting competitor Michael Fitzgerald.

Mark Roberts was third, but was awarded the silver medal as Fitzgerald’s visitor status meant he was ineligible.

Phil Deisel rounded out the top three, less than a bike-length behind Fitzgerald.

In C-Grade, Russell Fryer claimed overall honours from Emily McRedmond and Andrew Brown.

A dozen riders took to the line for the D-Grade race, which was taken out by Heydon Thorpe from Dave Simmons, Stephen Winslade and Tom Power.

B-Grade riders rounded out the championships, with 15 facing the starter.

Wearing the colours of new Australian professional team Green Edge seemed to have the desired effect for Michael Polmear, who claimed a narrow win from Peter Carlin and Kurt Hammer.

Following the race, Roberts was crowned the club’s Criterium Rider of the Year after edging out Dave Simmons.

Both riders finished with 103 championship points, but Roberts was awarded overall honours via a countback.