Beautiful conditions Saturday for the third and final race of the Lorraine and Ivan Collings series, sunny, 16 °C and just a light breeze from the NE greeting the 16 riders.
With plenty of points in the bag already, Ray Hamilton set off, giving 13 mins to Dave Oman and Heather Lias, followed by the 20 min group of Graeme Butcher, Mel Smolenaars, Will Kettle and Kaz Griffiths.
At 25 mins were Matt Dobeli, John Brian and Simon Hall with Cam Smith, Troy Griffiths and Matt Grealy at 31 mins.
Off scratch were Nick Woods, proudly testing his Aus Gran Fondo gear, Shane Roberts and Rob Woods.
With a tail wind start, all groups took off at a ferocious pace, immaculate handicapping had the gaps holding well through the first 2 laps of three.
With scratch catching the 31 min group, they then had their sights set on the 25 min group, with Cam Smith a casualty of the pace.
Up ahead, the 20 min group, driven by Butch, Kaz and Mel, were breathing down the neck of Dave and Heather, looking for Ray in the distance, while Will Kettle had boiled and would join forces with Dave Oman.
Into lap three, nearing 24 lane, scratch and co caught Matt, John and Simon, with Matt unable to stretch to stay on the back.
Was there time for them to get to the front?
After a superfast trip along Hillside Rd, Mel, Kaz and Butch caught and passed Ray and would battle it out for the win.
Into the line it was a win for Mel Smolenaars, followed by Graeme Butcher in second, Kaz 3rd.
Ray Hamilton kept the points, coming in 4th with Nick Woods in 5th, also with the fastest time.
1st - Mel Smolenaars (and first female)
2nd - Graeme Butcher
3rd - Kaz Griffiths
4th - Ray Hamilton
5th - Nick Woods (and fastest time)
A huge thanks to our race director H, handicapper Cam and marshals Nick, Max, George, Phil Herd and our now 'Super Marshal' Laurie Grealy.
We'll see you all next week in Lockington for our marquee race, The Noel Smith Handicap.
8°C