June 25, 2006 (Sidney BC) – Saturday night was the first running of what will hopefully be an annual event, the Sidney Twilight Criterium.

Victoria’s top riders were all on hand as well of a few mainlanders who braved the ferry ride for the 70-minute Cat 1-2 race in downtown Sydney on a challenging 1 km figure-8 course. The racing started fast and furious with Luca Segato (independent) and Ryan Anderson (Aviawest-Vega) being the early aggressors. The early attacks quickly strung out the field and put a number of riders in difficulty. After 20 minutes of racing an elite group of 15 had established it’s self at the front with small groups fighting to avoid being lapped.

A lull in the action saw Ryan McNamara (Giga-Bike) to put in a strong attack that quickly gained him 20 seconds on the lead pack. His lead would grow to almost 30 seconds, earning him numerous primes, but in the final 20 laps the pack began to close. With the gap still at 20 seconds Ryan Anderson (Aviawest-Vega) made a strong attack from the main pack and within three laps bridged to McNamara. Behind them the pack came unglued in the final 10 laps with attacks from Kevin Noiles (Masi-Adobe) and Andrew Kyle (Sugoi-Giant), who came close, but could not catch the two leaders.

The two young Ryan’s worked well together, extending their lead on the splintering pack until the final lap where McNamara forced Anderson to lead. Coming out of the final corner first was Anderson and with a strong acceleration he held off McNamara to take the win in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

In a controversial decision, it was confirmed at the finish that Ryan McNamara was DQed for taking assistance from a team mate who was being lapped (lapped riders were pulled from the race) while McNamara was leading the race.

Results, Cat 1-2 Men
1. Ryan Anderson, Aviawest-Vega
2. Kevin Noiles, Masi-Adobe
3. Andrew Kyle, Sugoi-Giant

Cat 4-5 Men
1. Kenji Jackson, Russ Hayes
2. Aaron Dusseault, Russ Hayes
3. Tyler Trace, Giga-Bik