The Windsor Physio sponsored race at Grove Bush on Saturday the 13th of July had a healthy number of 49 competitors spread across the 4 grades. The loop of 38km proved to be challenging and with the conditions playing the part there were some keenly contested races.
Races were started in reverse order with D grade up first. Glen Thomson and Rikki Griffin helped the juniors and their expert direction was well received by the riders. They rode as a group to Hedgehope, the reins were taken off and the race was on. Tom Kerr launched an attack on the final climb but didn’t have the legs to hold out the fast finishing Conrad Clark who took line honours from Hadley Sheehy with Tom coming in 3rd. 14 riders took part in D grade. Winning time was 1 hr 12min.
C grade started 10 minutes behind. 12 riders started and they lapped it out consistently with most riders contributing well. Marshall Erwood stepped up from the junior ranks and made a good fist of things to take the victory from Dave Rodgers and Daryl Haggerty. An outstanding ride by Marshall who adapted well to the new challenge of C grade. I’m sure it won’t be long before we see him moving further up the grades. Winning time was 1hr 04min.
B graded started 3 minutes behind C grade but overtook them just coming towards Springhills. Only a field of 8 riders but they were well driven along by Brendon Akeroyd whom the rest of the field left dangling out there for a period. Akeroyd and Andrew Lienert drove it hard up the final climb but Aaron Sinclair and Pete McKenzie bridged across and the final sprint saw a closely contested battle between Andrew and Aaron seeing the former win by the width of a wheel. Peter claimed 3rd place.
Winning time of 1hr.
A grade started a further 3 minutes back with the largest field of the day with 15. With all breaks been shut down reasonably quickly the pressure went on through Springhills and Matt Zenovich really turned the screws on the final climb spitting out all riders apart from Fraser Hewett and Hunter Gough. Fighting their way through traffic Matt claimed the victory from Fraser with fast finishing ex-B grader, stepping up to A for the first time, Gene Marsh claiming 3rd place.
Winning time a reasonable 56min.
Congratulations to all placegetters and participants. Thanks to the road marshals and the ever present Robin Criglington for the smooth running of the event. And a special big thanks to Windsor Physio for the days sponsorship, which also contributed spots prizes of bike lights to each grade.