CCC Junior Crit Development Program

Calling All Junior Cyclists.

CCC runs a coached Junior Crit Development session each week before our Wednesday evening criterium series.

This season the sessions are run by accredited coaches Alban Comparat and Lauren Bartsch.

This program replaces the Junior White and Junior HC grades. All junior racing now happens here, and juniors who are ready can also race the open grades (see below).

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10-Week Pass

Want to sign your child up for a block of sessions in one go?

A 10-week pass is $64. See our EntryBoss calendar for the details.

You are currently on the Individual Session Entry Form.

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Key Info

• What: Junior Crit Development session (skills, bunch riding and junior racing)
• When: Wednesdays during crit season, 7 October 2026 to mid-March 2027
• Time: 4:30pm - 5:30pm
• Who: Riders aged 6 and over who can ride a bike confidently
• Where: Stromlo Forest Park Criterium Circuit - centre of track
• Cost: $8 per session, or $64 for a 10-week pass
• Licences: Must have AusCycling ride or race licence (see below)

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New riders

We welcome new riders to these sessions.

These are not 'learn to ride' sessions, but rather cycling skill development sessions. Details below.

Each week the coaches will conduct a quick roll call and briefing for new riders before the session commences.

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Grading and Open Grades

New riders are graded over their first two weeks in junior handicapped crit races. From week 3, riders who are ready are moved up to an open grade based on their average race speed.

Average speed	Grade
Under 31 km/h	Junior Training Squad
31 - 34 km/h	E grade
34 - 36 km/h	D grade (U13 riders are capped at D grade)
36 - 41 km/h	C grade
Over 41 km/h	B grade

All riders are reviewed again before Christmas.

Racing an open grade

• Junior entry into open grades is free.
• Enter your open grade on that week's TREK | CCC Summer Crits listing, or get a free junior season pass.
• Open grades need an AusCycling Race All Discipline licence.
• You can do both on the same night. Ride this session, then race your open grade afterwards. Just enter on both listings.

The crit season pass does not include this session. Please enter here each week, or buy a 10-week pass.

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Coaching

The program runs through to mid-March, and develops riders' skills, confidence and racing experience week on week. The sessions cover the basic skills of crit racing, including:

• Safety in the bunch
• Bike handling
• Braking
• Changing gears
• Basic tactics
• Etiquette

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Equipment

• A roadworthy bike with drop handlebars. Younger and Participation riders can use other styles of bike.
• Australian standards-approved helmet
• Enclosed footwear
• Appropriate clothing, water bottle, puncture repair kit, sun protection, snacks etc

We encourage all riders to wear their CCC, VCC, or CORC club kit.

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About the Session

The session is:

• open to new and existing juniors from all clubs
• social, supportive, and inclusive
• focused on supporting new junior riders into the club
• focused on building junior foundation skills, bunch riding skills and racing experience

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Registration

To manage our record-keeping and participation reporting we require all participants to register via EntryBoss.

There is a small fee of $8 per session. This is to cover the costs of running the session and make it sustainable into the future.

Places in each session are limited.

If you have registered but are unable to attend please scratch yourself (cancel your registration) from the session by hitting the 'Scratch' button. That will trigger an automatic refund.

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Licences

An AusCycling ride or race licence (Lifestyle or better) is required to participate.

If you don't hold a licence but would like to attend you can take out a free trial licence on the AusCycling website, or better yet, join the Canberra Cycling Club.

Juniors who also race an open grade need an AusCycling Race All Discipline licence.

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More Information

Full program details are on the Junior Crit Development Program page.

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Contact Information

Canberra Cycling Club

• Juniors: juniors@canberracyclingclub.org.au
• General: ccc@canberracyclingclub.org.au