As the Moama Bowling Club EMCC Winter Race Season nears its crescendo, today's prestigious Noel Smith Memorial Handicap would provide a true test for the 15 riders setting off over the 64km course.
New rider Pam Trevarton obviously wasn't scared off after her debut race last week, which we'll take as a compliment, and she set off as our lone limit rider.
She gave 16 minutes to Dave Oman and Jerrod Davison, with the foursome of Mel Smolenaars, Claire Goodman, Dave Faulkner and Will Kettle a further two minutes back.
At 24 minutes, Matt Dobeli and Graeme Butcher were joined by Shepparton Cycling Club's elite junior, Isla Shaw, coming off a top 5 placing last week at the VIC U17 titles.
A further three minutes back were Matt Sherman and Matt Grealy, with our scratch group of brothers Neville and Kevin Laffy, Nick Woods and Lenny Griffiths, fresh from a stint riding in Belgium.
Out front, Pam was working hard on her own as Jerrod and Dave Oman were swallowed up by the group of Mel, Claire, Dave and Will.
Early in the third lap, Matt, Butch and Isla were joined by Matts Sherman and Grealy.
With eyes in front, they were joined by every cyclist's worst nightmare, Kevin Laffy on the front of scratch, flying past.
After a battle, Matt and Isla bridged the gap, with Matt wishing her all the best as he drifted back.
The group of Mel, Claire and Jerrod continued to work well together as Dave Faulkner and Will were stretched.
When they were joined by scratch, it was Mel who hung tough.
Into the final lap, it was scratch who were clear, and the winner would come from those four riders.
Mel had joined forces with Matt Grealy, while Matt Sherman and Isla were working well.
As Matt Dobeli and Butch pushed on, they found that Will Kettle had boiled dry, while Jerrod was in a world of pain with cramp.
Into the home straight and it was the class of Lenny Griffiths that shone out as he took out his second consecutive Noel Smith Memorial victory from Neville Laffy in second, Kevin Laffy in third, Nick Woods in fourth, Mel Smolenaars fifth and first female with Isla the first junior.
A big thank you to our race sponsor Ash Hall from Ash Hall Cycles, race director H and marshals Russ, Glen and Sheryl Kettle, Ash Hall and Laurie Grealy.
We'll see you all in 2 weeks for our Club Champs.
14°C