A stiff north-easterly wind slowed riders on the outward journey, but the ride home was much easier.
No Cobram-Barooga riders gained a major placing, but Daniel Burrows finished a strong fifth, and Simon Rudd finished eighth.
At 78 years of age, our super veteran Myles Higgins is showing no signs of slowing down and again rode strongly, averaging 36.5 km/h over the journey.
Other Cobram Barooga Cycling Club members who rode were Mark Ross in his first ride with the club, Terrance Walmsley, Wayde Foster, Paul Hogan, Craig Sloper, Matthew Carmellotti and Max Holgate.
Max, along with the other four scratch markers, averaged 45km/h, just a few seconds slower than last year (54km/h).
It was a great effort by the young men. Shepparton star Jack Edwards narrowly beat Wagga’s Titus Madeley for the fastest time, with Max not far back.
Unusual, but for the first time, we had a dead heat for first place.
Jarrod O’Brien from Shepparton and Hunter Behnke from Wagga tied (both rode with the C-grade bunch, from a mark of seven and a half minutes).
Fortunately, Travis Lindhe had his camera operating and could not separate the two.
The winner’s time was 1.17.22 at an average of 41.8km/h, while scratch set a time of 1.12.20 minutes.
Third place went to evergreen Echuca-Moama member Cameron Smith.
Prize money was awarded to the first 10 placegetters, and they finished in this order: fourth was Craig McAllister, then Rohan Christmas, Daniel Burrows, William Clifton, Simon Rudd, Mark Dolphin and Griffith’s Peter Budd.
Of course, each of these riders accumulates extra points in the series aggregate. The Tolland Cycling Club donated a lucrative sum for the first two of their club to finish.
Peter Johnson and Andrew Piffero were the lucky recipients.
Mia Stockwell from Griffith took the first women’s prize.
Everyone had a very enjoyable morning.
7°C