Vikings cycling club Denman Prospect night crit

Saturday night saw the Canberra Vikings Cycling Club host a Night Criterium in the brand new suburb of Denman Prospect.

The Vikings Cycling Club night crit. Source: Vikings Cycling Club

The club, home to national and international champions including Michael Milton, Sue Powell, and WorldTour riders Nathan Haas (Dimension Data) and Michael Matthews (Orica-BikeExchange), are celebrating its 20th year in the ACT with a number of signature events.

Billed as Canberra’'s richest cycling event with nearly $4000 of cash and prizes on offer, 150 entrants lined up across grades from E/Novice to A Grade NRS racers.

Held under lights, and before the house building starts, the tight and twisty course around the brand news streets was a fantastic and unique night of racing for riders and spectators alike.

Cold temperatures, a passing shower, wind, darkness, and a brutal finish straight climb didn't deter riders from an enjoyable night out in the Capital.

Olivers Racing rider Sean Whitfield took the win in the night's A-Grade 40-minute main event.

Whitfield played a smart race bridging across to a three-rider break at about the 30-minute mark and then outsprinting Matt Rizutto (Tiffen Cycling) and Nathan Booth (Phoenix Cycling Collective) for the win.