September 25, 2010 (Nanaimo, BC) – The 2009 La Z Boy Criterium Championship was notable for another disappointing turnout on Wednesday. Only seven riders showed up on a beautiful, calm, sunny evening to contest this last race in the series (thanks guys, much appreciated).

Since Brodie Hay, OBB was present, the first four laps were neutral. Once the race proper commenced, fast man, Don Gillmore took off almost immediately and, in one lap, opened up a five second gap that grew to fourteen seconds by the next one. The bunch then started to work together and held Gillmore to fourteen seconds for three more laps but then the Schwalbe rider started to steadily draw away, gaining between ten and twenty-five seconds every lap.

By lap fourteen Don lapped the bunch but they were unable to stay with him and he pulled away yet again and in the next seven laps he lapped the field a second time.

For the final seven laps everyone stayed together, except Don Thompson and Iain Hay who had to leave the race before the finish. With one lap to go, all lined up planning their strategy for the final sprint but, at the line, it was Don Gillmore winning by a couple of lengths from Everti’s Derek Brain, with Lionel Space, Port Alberni, 3rd. all with the same time. Wendy Simms, who had stayed with the bunch for the entire race, coasted in nine seconds later.

Thanks to Dave Kenny and John Hannon for help with setting up and taking down the course.

This winter we will hold discussions with some of our regular riders about how to improve the turnout. One suggestion was to move the criteriums to Tuesday and alternate with the Nanaimo Racing Club’s Cedar road races.

Results

Women 40 minutes + 4 laps
1. Wendy Simms (Kona) 48:49

Men – 40minutes + 5 laps
1. Don Gillmore (Schwalbe) 48:40
2. Derek Brain (Everti) -2 laps
3. Lionel Space Strada (USCF) -2 laps
Paul Thompson (OBB) DNF
Iain Hay (Schwalbe) DNF

Youth
Brodie Hay OBB DNF 2 points

Final Criterium Series Standing

Women
1. Wendy Simm 36 points
2. Glenda Harling 12
3. Charlene Hay 10
4. Charlene Stewart 10
5. Erin Hibbitts 10
6. Rhea Hewitson 9
7. Shari Rehill 5
8. Kim McCarley 5
9. Anita Gillmore 5

Men
1. Derek Brain 88 points
2. Warren Muir 69
3. Paul Thompson 61
4. Shepherd Stewart 48
5. Tony Winter 47
6. Iain Hay 44
7. Don Gillmore 36
8. Lionel Space 26
9. Normon Thibault 23
10. Wade Smith 20
11. Malcolm Faulkner 18
12. Mike Sevcov 15
13. John Hannon 10
14. Dave Shistkoff 9
15. Bill Hutchinson 8
16. Chris Cameron 8
17. Aaron Grant 7
18. Bryan Rehill 7
19. Mike Woodworth 5
20. Robin Dutton 3
21. Kirby Villeneuve 2
22. Dave Kenny 2
23. Cory Pickett 1
24. Dan Curtis 1

Youth
1. Brodie Hay 41 points