Club racing saw the running of the George Martin Trophy, raced in cold and windy conditions around the Mardan, Leongatha, Nerrena, Mardan circuit. This race is in honour of the clubs first referee 50 years past. George was a tough task master and running the race round this circuit is just recognition of his character and contribution to the club. The senior field saw 23 starters stand in the cold adjacent Scots Pioneer Church. The limit bunch at 12minutes contained 5 riders including new rider Mark Dixon, a mountain biker trying his hand at the road. Next away was an amalgam of 2 bunches into a group of eight and chasing 5 minutes. A further 4 minutes adrift was a bunch of 5 riders followed by the 5 rider scratch bunch a further 3minutes behind.

The riders had to battle very strong northerly winds on the down hill run to Leongatha followed by more of a tail wind through Neerrena. By the time the field reached the start of the climb back to Mardan the 7 minute bunch had ridden through the limit bunch and looked to have the race in their grasp. The 3 minute bunch had lost riders and was barely holding their position whilst the scratch bunch had made up only a fraction of the time they needed.

The 6km climb saw the lead bunch of 8 riders dwindle to a bunch of just 4 with around 500m of climb remaining. However, attacks from Neil White and Elliott Gin saw Paul Taranto and Jake Laine gapped around the last of the climb through the intersection at Mardan. In the run to the line it was Neil White taking the win and the trophy ahead of Elliott whilst Paul outsprinted Jake for 3rd. Next home with a good ride but just not managing to stick on the climb was Lee Robinson then Phil Handley in 6th. In 7th place was limit rider Steve Allen claiming his best result for his few races into road racing with a strong sprint ahead of Morgan Clark. In 9th place was Tom Debenham from the 3 minute bunch with a strong ride up the climb whilst in 10th place was Peter Hollins. Next home was scratch rider Thierry Rolland winning his bunch sprint and fastest time.

The junior riders raced the 11.6km out and back with the turn at Nicholls Rd. First away was James Scott on 3.30min followed by Matt Dudley and Mitch Gin at 30 sec whilst scratch was held by last weeks winner Thomas McFarlane. The outward run was mostly with a tail wind and by the turn James just turned ahead of Mitch who had gapped Matt on the climb to the turn whilst Thomas was struggling to bridge the gap. Mitch soon rode to the front and race strongly to the finish. Try as he might, Matt could not bridge the 80m gap to Mitch and that saw Mitch claim the win from Matt whilst Thomas battled home a further 200m adrift to claim 3rd and fastest.

Next week racing will be at Tarwin Lower and be a welcome change for riders following the past few weeks of big climbs.

Race report by Lindsay Love