The 12th annual New England Mutual Autumn Festival Criterium took place today with 81 riders contesting prizes across four grades. Almost mirroring last year, there was a very close finish in A-Grade after four riders had ridden off the front on the tight 800M city CBD course. This year, Sam Spokes (Tamworth) won from a very tight finish between Carsten Chapman (Hunter) and Dylan Sunderland (Inverell) with Chapman awarded second place only after race officials had reviewed video footage, Liam Magennis (Port Macquarie) finishing just behind in fourth spot. Chapman, Magennis and Sunderland also shared the 3 intermediate sprints.

In B-Grade Jason Sprang took victory for Inverell from Steve McMahon (Tamworth) and local boy Hugh Munday backed up a strong ride with a well-deserved third place. Hugh also grabbed an intermediate sprint along with Ben Harris (Armidale) and Andrew Hiller (Coffs Harbour).

Port Macquarie got on the podium in C-Grade with victory for Simon Andrews and a second place for William Pender. Armidale riders finished strongly in this grade, Clint Bourke taking third with a fine sprint from Tom Simmonds in fourth.

And in D-Grade, well-earned victory went to Luke Deasey (Tamworth) who rode strongly to win from Armidale locals Lucy Cook and Ben Simmonds.

A massive thank you to all those involved in putting on the race, the commissaires and race organisers and helpers, and the sponsors of the event.  Plus of course all the riders and supporters on the day who make this event so special. Check out our Facebook Page for photos with more to come on our website Gallery very soon too.

A-Grade – 40 mins plus 3 laps – 26 riders

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B-Grade – 35 mins plus 3 laps – 23 riders

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C-Grade – 30 mins plus 3 laps – 26 riders

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D-Grade – 20 mins plus 3 laps – 6 riders

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