Leongatha Cycling Club members took to the tough Woolamai circuit for racing on Saturday. A new addition to the club program last year, this circuit provides some exciting racing as riders tackle flat open sections, long climbs and fast descents. A stiff north-westerly wind made conditions tough for those riders out on their own and safety was definitely in numbers.

18 riders signed up for the race and Tony Giles lead the way off limit. Two other small bunches followed then a couple of groups of four at 5 minutes and 3 minutes. 3 riders were at 1 minute and Stuart Smith the lone scratch rider.

The flat run out towards Grantville was tough with the strong wind and the 5 minute group of Neil White, Paul Taranto, Elliot Gin and Morgan Clark were riding well It looked like the 1 minute group of Dave Macfarlane, Thierry Rolland and Phil Carmenzuli were not gaining on the 3 minute bunch.

At the top of the climb Neil and Elliot had moved away from their group while Peter Hollins, Tony Clark and Jamie Grenville were picking up other riders and were making the most of the tailwind along the fast section towards the Mill Rd turnoff. Rick Whitehouse, Ken Barnes and Malcolm Gin came and went then Rod Cheyne, Justin Matthews and Tony Giles were picked up along Mill Rd. Meanwhile, Stuart Smith thought he had the race sewn up as he crossed the finish line 10 minutes ahead of the rest. Unfortunately he had forgotten to ride part of the course.

The run to the finish along Mill Rd was very tough. A head wind and four short climbs meant the riders on their own were struggling. Four riders headed down the fast finishing hill together and it was Tony Clark who held on for the win and fastest time ahead of Peter Hollins and Neil White.

The junior riders rode out towards Glen Forbes and returned to finish at the racecourse. James Scott lead off in his first race with the club but it was the consistent Liam McCall who took another win off scratch. Thomas Macfarlane managed to hang on for second while Will Lumby took third in a close sprint with Mitch Gin.

Next weekend sees a busy schedule for club members. Club racing is at Pound Creek on Saturday afternoon while on Sunday the club is hosting the Gippsland Individual Time Trial Championships at Outtrim. Stuart Smith is heading to Wangaratta to defend his State title in the Under 19 road race. Dave Macfarlane, Tony and Morgan Clark are competing in a 6 hour mountain bike enduro at Lysterfield.

Race report by Tony Clark