Saturday marked the start of the 2019 winter road racing season with 12 riders braving the wet blustery conditions.
With numbers low it was decided to run a graded handicap race with 5 riders in the C grade bunch and 7 in the B grade-chasing bunch. The first leg from Woodlands down Woodlands South road proved very decisive as a very strong side wind hit the riders straight away, the lighter C grade riders struggled with this except Eion McKenzie who powered away.
As a result, the B grade caught C grade bunch on the downwind leg, with some strong turns on the front, the combined bunch began to fragment as riders struggled with the speed. Heading into the next crosswind section the front of the chasing bunch was down to Dave McCormick, Hori Miller, Morgan Borrie and Mitchel Fitzsimons. Morgan and Hori then popped and it was left to Dave and Mitchell to catch and pass Eion McKenzie who was having a good ride on his own out front just before the home leg into the wind.
At the finish, it was Mitchel in a time of 54.45 minutes who prevailed over Dave, followed in third by Hori, Morgan fourth and Eion the first C grader home in fifth.
Once again thanks to all the marshals who turned out, Robin for taking the entries and Lindsay Jones for the STMS.
Race report courtesy of our manager
Aaron Sinclair