Riders enjoyed a sunny afternoon but had to contend with a cold north westerly wind for Saturdays race from Tarwin Lower out to the hill top at the Cape Liptrap road junction and return . a 38 km journey. The race features plenty of flats with just the 2km climb to the turn and the handicapper had to contend with a field of 26 starters. With all the action at the start, Rod Cheyne.s trusty blue healer got amongst the activities and found Eamon Feely.s muffin much to his liking.

The limit bunch of Ken Barnes, Steve Allen and Rick Whitehouse had 12 minutes on the lone scratch rider in Nick Aitken just back from racing in the Tour of Gippsland. Following these leaders was a group of 5 riders at 8 minutes, 4 riders on 6 minutes, three on 5 minutes followed by a gap back to 6 riders on 3 minutes, 4 riders on 1 minutes and the scratch rider.

Out to the hill it was the leading trio together however as the grade increased it was Steve Allen who rode away to turn alone in front. The second limit bunch lost Damian Crowe on the climb up the hill but turned as a bunch whilst close behind the 6 minute trio of Tom Debenham, Paul Taranto and Jake Laine had caught the 7 minute bunch and were in hot pursuit.

Nick Aitken picked up the 1 minute bunch but rode away from them as he chased down the 3 minute bunch. This bunch lost riders on the hill with Phil Camenzuli dropping a chain and Steve Piasente having a vertical challenge. However, out front, putting in a great ride on his own into the headwind, Steve Allen defied the odds to stay away and claim the win. He clocked a smart time of 67.49 min so it looks like he will have new faces in his bunch for the next handicap race. He finished just 400m in front of the remnants of the 8, 6 and 5 minute bunches. The smart move in this bunch came from Tom Debenham who went for the fly coming up to the bowls club corner to cruise home in second whilst Paul Taranto claimed third in a close finish with Tom Dudley, 4th. They were followed in by Morgan Clark, Phil Hanley, Jake Laine, Rod Cheyne, Malcolm Gin and Justin Matthews in 10th spot at the end of this bunch.

Nick Aitken lead home the next bunch to claim 12th place and fastest time with a strong ride with much of it on his own.

The juniors had a 6 rider field and they race 6km out before racing back into the head wind. First away was our newest rider in James Scott on 6 minutes. He was followed by Mitch Gin and Matt Dudley on 3 minutes, Thomas McFarlane and Will Lumby on 2.30 min and Liam McCall on scratch by himself. By the turn Mitch and Matt had James covered whilst Will Lumby had skipped through with a hard turn of pace and dropped Thomas. With the flat going Liam was struggling to close the gaps. In the run back into the wind Will Lumby powered along picking up all those in front and then taking out the bunch sprint to the line to claim the win. Mitch Gin claimed 2nd and Matt Dudley a close 3rd. Liam claimed 5th and fastest time.

Next weeks racing is listed for Outtrim for Individual Time trials followed by a hill climb up Mt Misery. On Tuesday 18 the club meeting will be at the Love residence and some more work on the 50 year celebrations will need to be considered.

Race report by Lindsay Love