This fantastic event take place on a chilly but dry morning against the backdrop of Kinglake, on a mostly flat out and back course perfectly suited to both time trialling and graded racing. The ITT was a 2-lap course of 25km in total with a measly 140m of elevation, perfect for a TT bike and many rear disc wheels were on display. But the race was not only for the time trial specialists, in addition to the aero category, there was a non-aero category for any rider with a normal road bike providing an opportunity for all riders to compete in the event.
In both categories, rider’s times were adjusted according to the Australian Time Trial Association (ATTA) standards for gender / age which gave our placings and points.
The combined C & D grade race was very orderly for the first lap with the bunch splitting into 2 groups on the home straight where Sandra Proscenica led the first group home taking line honours followed closely by Rajiv Ramanathan and John Short, showing she still had some power left in the legs after the ITT. Vince Sinni led the 2nd group home a few seconds later.
B grade started with 5 riders but quickly lost Stephanie Young who found that 1 week recovery from bronchitis was not enough to tackle an ITT and road race in one day. With James Topp also withdrawing, there was 3 riders left as they headed into the 3rd lap together. As they came into view of the finish line however Nick Hailey had broken loose and held off Craig Frost and Sebastian Slezak to take a well-deserved win.
A grade was an orderly affair for the first lap, but coming to the turnaround to start lap 3, Callum Field had gone solo and gained almost 1 minute on the bunch. By the start of the final lap, Callum had gained another 45 seconds and was looking strong. If there was any fatigue after the ITT and a solo lap, it was not showing. Callum finished the final lap solo, finishing more than 2 minutes ahead of the field with Russell Lee leading them across the line followed very closely by Luke Poyser and the rest of the bunch.
The overall honours and trophy went to Callum Field with a strong performance on both the ITT and scratch race. Pierre Pascal was one point behind in second place with Sandra Proscenica following in 3rd, tied on points with Luke Poyser but taking a higher position in the ITT and road race.
We would like to thank Angelo’s family for again sponsoring the event and all our volunteers and organisers who worked hard to deliver 2 races on one day
