Griffiths, Aitken sweep Elite races at Aussie CX National Series in Sydney

Miranda Griffiths (Batch Brewing Co.) won the Elite Women’s races at rounds 7 and 8 of the AusCycling Cyclocross National Series at Dunc Gray Velodrome in Sydney over the weekend, beating national champion Bec Locke by 24 seconds in round 7 on Saturday and 37 seconds in round 8 on Sunday. Third place went to Claire Aubrey (Ride and Thrive CC) in Saturday’s race and Katherine Hosking (Orbea Women’s Racing) on Sunday.

Miranda Griffiths (Batch Brewing Co.) is fully focused on her way to victory in round 7 of the AusCycling CX National Series.
Photo: @shotbyleealexand3r

The Elite men’s podium featured the same three riders on both days, with Chris Aitken (MAAP Sixpence CX) winning both races. Aitken’s teammate Garry Millburn finished second on Saturday by 34 seconds, with Nick Smith (Duke-Flanders) 1:53 behind the winner.

Aitken delivered again on Sunday, ahead of Smith in second and Millburn in third.

Chris Aitken (MAAP Sixpence CX) leads teammate Garry Millburn on their way to a 1-2 in the Elite Men’s race in round 7.
Photo: @shotbyleealexand3r

As with the rest of the rounds of the AusCycling Cyclocross National Series so far this year, the weather was warm and sunny, meaning it was short sleeved jerseys all around for riders tackling the Bass Hill circuit.

The course was made up of a variety of sections of grassy straights, some paved sections of the Dunc Gray crit circuit, and a long concrete stair climb that burned the legs of already suffering riders.