PORTLAND cyclist Dylan Lindsey has produced one of the strongest rides of his career to claim 17th place at the Road National Championships over the weekend.
Riding for NCMG Criterion Racing in Sunday’s elite men’s road race at Buninyong, Lindsey was one of just 21 riders to complete the 185.6km race, with the sapping 32 degree heat taking its toll on the field.
With racing involving 16 laps of a 11.6km loop, the starting field of 96 riders was gradually whittled down by race officials to leave just the strongest riders out on the road.
“It was a good day out for me,” the 27-year-old said.
“I was hoping to get that top 20, and I was extremely happy with my performance. It was validation for all the training I have been fitting in around work.
“I watched the race back on Tuesday and to be honest I couldn’t believe I was able to do it.
“It was my best result at the nationals by a long way.”
Employed as a disability support worker with Portland’s Kyeema Support Services, Lindsey has managed to secure a place on the Queensland-based NCMG Criterion Racing team.
“It was actually my first ride for them.
“I was able to earn a place pretty much through some contacts I had, a mutual friend of my former team manager actually, so that was great.”
NCMG Criterion was formed in 2020 by Stephen Hamer and Wade Buchan to allow an opportunity for young upcoming riders to compete at the elite level of cycling in Australia.
The team had five riders at the nationals, contesting various events over the five days, with Nick Pedler claiming eighth in the elite men’s criterium and Matson McAdam 12th in the under-19 time trial.
That nationals culminated on Sunday afternoon with the elite men’s road race, won by Melbourne’s Lucas Plapp in 4hr52min04sec, riding for the Ineos Grenadiers team.
Lindsey was among a pack of seven riders (placed 12th-18th) 6min13sec behind the winner, with the Portlander having an official placing of 17th.
Lindsey said despite the tough conditions he felt strong throughout the race.
“The nationals are held on a circuit and as you go along the race organisers will pull you out if you are not staying in touch.
“I think part of the reason for that is to streamline the TV coverage.
“On every one of those 16 laps we had to climb Mount Buninyong, and the leaders made an initial surge on the second lap.
“Then with about 10 laps to go it just kept ramping up, and at one point there we went from 50 riders to about 20 very quickly.
“It was a matter of just trying to hang on and survive.”
And survive he did.
“To be honest I was feeling like I was having one of the best days of my life.
“I had prepared well, and the training I had done in the heat paid off.
“The last four laps, I think everyone was knackered, managing cramps and things like that which were popping up.
“But I got there in the end and was very happy.”
Lindsey and his teammate will now turn their attention to Adelaide with the Santos Festival of Cycling – a nine-day program with 25 events spread across multiple cycling disciplines (road, track, BMX, mountain biking, para-cycling and cyclo-cross).
Lindsey will be taking on the three-day men’s road race that will travel through the Barossa, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula from January 27-29.
