Alpe de Buffalo Race Report

The opening round of the Victorian Junior Road Series was held in Bright over the weekend of 11–12 April, with the iconic Alpe De Buffalo event hosted by Alpine Cycling Club. Known for attracting the strongest junior cycling talent from across Australia, this year’s race lived up to its reputation, drawing more than 130 riders from as far north as Queensland and as far south as Tasmania. Brunswick Cycling Club was well represented, with 15 riders competing across multiple age categories.

Alpe De Buffalo is a demanding multi stage event, comprising:

1. A criterium

2. An individual time trial

3. A mountain road race up Mount Buffalo

   
   

Stage 1 – Criterium

The criterium was held at Pioneer Park, a fast and technical 1.3 km circuit in the heart of Bright. With time bonuses awarded to the top three riders in each age category, there was plenty at stake for the General Classification from the outset.

Brunswick riders delivered strong performances:

• U11 Boys: Rhett Dempster – 1st place, launching an early sprint and holding it to the line

• U13 Girls: Isabel Muscat – 2nd place, working through the field after a slower start

• U13 Boys: Aziz Kirmizi – 3rd place, narrowly missing out in a tightly contested sprint

• U15 Girls: Asha Crofts – 1st place, winning a three‑up sprint finish

  
  

Stage 2 – Individual Time Trial

The individual time trial took place on Back Germantown Road, north of the Ovens River.

• U11 and U13 riders completed one lap of the 5 km course

• U15 and U17 riders completed two laps (10 km total)

  
  

A strong westerly wind developed as racing began, providing assistance on the outward leg but making the return extremely challenging. Despite the conditions, Brunswick riders again featured prominently:

• U11 Boys: Rhett Dempster – 3rd place,17 seconds behind the winner.

• U13 Boys: Aziz Kirmizi – 2nd place, 15 seconds behind the winner.

  
  

Stage 3 – Road Race & State Hill Climb Championship

The Queen Stage of Alpe De Buffalo is the road race up Mount Buffalo. Originally scheduled to finish at the Mt Buffalo Chalet, forecast adverse weather required a late course adjustment:

• U11s finished at Ladies Bath Falls

• U13–U17s finished at Rollasons Falls

  
  

On this occasion, the forecast proved accurate. Riders faced cold, wet, and miserable conditions, with light snow falling at the Chalet — validating the decision to alter the course. While several competitors withdrew, all Brunswick riders showed exceptional resilience and completed the race.

Placings included:

• U11 Boys: Rhett Dempster – 3rd place in a two‑up sprint for second

• U13 Girls: Isabel Muscat – 2nd place

• U13 Boys: Aziz Kirmizi – 2nd place, behind a strong local rider

• U15 Girls: Asha Crofts – 2nd place

  
  

Overall General Classification Results

• U11 Boys: Rhett Dempster – 2nd overall (+0:24)

• U13 Girls: Isabel Muscat – 2nd overall (+10:16)

• U13 Boys: Aziz Kirmizi – 2nd overall (+2:15)

• U15 Girls: Asha Crofts – 3rd overall (+2:46)

  
  

Brunswick Riders

• U11 Boys: Rhett Dempster, Domenic Muscat

• U13 Girls: Isabel Muscat

• U13 Boys: Aziz Kirmizi, Jed Dempster, Fraser Moloney, Quentin Ingham, Benny Muller

• U15 Girls: Asha Crofts

• U15 Boys: Albert Hunt‑Truscott, Ziqry Fuad, Oscar Disseldorp

• U17 Girls: Nicola Morris

• U17 Boys: Omer Kirmizi, Max Moore

  
  

Congratulations to all Brunswick riders who competed. Alpe de Buffalo is one of the toughest events on the junior road calendar, and the grit, determination, and sportsmanship shown by our riders were a credit to the club. The full results list can be found here.