Ideal conditions greeted riders in the first race of the new road season, on Saturday.
Over 100 riders turned up to ride in the Wintons Middle Pub Graded Race, the first in a points series to be raced over several races. The Junior and Senior races were combined, a new move to bring together all the riders onto the same circuit.
The senior results were as follows:
The A and B grade racers did two laps of the Circuit from Winton through Browns across to Centre bush and then back to Winton. The 55km A Grade race was won by the dominant performance of three riders who had escaped from the large field. Dillon Bennett won in a time of 1.22:58. He was closely followed by Marcel Baird in Second and Robert Huisman in third.
Dave Beadle showed his strength by riding away from the 24 man B Grade peleton to win in a time of 1.27:52. Minor places were filled by Matt Dodds and Ray Robinson
Thirty riders entered in the one lap C Grade race. This large field was broken up as a result of the superior strength of some of their fellow riders. Mike Tou stormed to victory, and proved his worth for the B grade race next week. Graham Irvine showed a good return to form with a second place and John Archer filled third poition.
Next week the points series continues with the Thornbury Tavern Graded Race, which will be started at an earlier time to align with the Ranfurly Shield defence.