The extended Hamilton family have been a huge part of Echuca Moama Cycling Club for decades, from Ray and Troy from the past (sorry Troy) and now onto the next generation with Lenny and George (and Kaz with her renewed licence), but none were more loved than Roberta and EMCC are very proud of what the event bearing her name has become.
With warm weather and a stiff northerly wind, a tough race was on the cards for our season opener, with 18 riders keen to kick off the season in style.
With Russell returning to racing, Matt felt the need to grab the defib from the clubrooms and was running late with the EFT.
Cookie had obviously heard that he might be able to race without paying and came out of retirement, don't worry, nothing is free.
Off limit, it would be Zenon Gawronski and Ray Hamilton with an eight-minute gap to Paul Oman, Russell Jeffreys and visiting rider Max Michelson from Eastern CC in Melbourne in second limit.
Midfield was the group of returning riders Cookie and Neil Ennis alongside Kaz Griffiths, Claire Goodman, and Mel Smolenaars with another five minutes back to another group of five with Matt Dobeli, Daz Kruger, Dave Faulkner, and Graeme Butcher joined by Billy Sutton for his debut winter road race.
In scratch was the trio of Scott Moller, Cam Smith and Matt Grealy.
A helping cross wind ensured a strong pace from the outset with groups under pressure before a strong tail wind down Kotta Rd, word on the street is that Scottie Moller nudged 57km/hr as scratch worked to reel in the field.
Onto Mitiamo Rd and the strong cross/headwind started to bite, with groups catching sight of the groups in front, but seemingly taking an eternity to make up ground.
Into the final turn and the gaps were closing.
As our second limit group of Paul and Max were being caught by the group behind, they were being caught by Butch, Daz, Billy and Matt to form a group of 12 heading for the line.
After a strong performance all day, the smart money was on Butch as he, Billy and Daz burst to the front with Billy for the win on debut from Butch, Daz, Cookie and Mel rounding out the top 5.
1st - Billy Sutton.
2nd - Graeme Butcher.
3rd - Darren Kruger.
4th - David 'Cookie' Trounson.
5th and first female - Mel Smolenaars.
A huge thank you and welcome back to race director H, handicapper Cam Smith and photographer Richard Bailey.
Thanks also to Embr at Moama Bowling Club for their hospitality at our presentations.
We'll see you all next Saturday, May 9 for the Gunbarrel Handicap on Mt Terrick Rd.
16°C