Driving wind, freezing temperature and rain showers would test all the riders as they descended to Fish River then climbed up and over the Cullerin Range to the turnaround almost at the Hume highway in Breadalbane.

A tailwind on the outward leg turned into a massive headwind for the return journey.

While 90 rides signed on for the event there were plenty of fair weather only riders who recorded a DNS but those who made the start line enjoyed some quality racing.

In Division 2 Mick Marshall (Illawarra) was too strong for the other limit riders and by the halfway mark had opened up a commanding lead.

Riding into an almost gale force headwind on the return journey requires a herculean effort by Mick Marshall but he had plenty of determination to win comfortably .

The strong riders in the 8 minute, 6 minute and 3 minute groups combined in the final 10 kms to set up an exciting finish for the minor placings.

George Galvin (Illawarra) finished 2nd just ahead of Ian Brandon (Jindabyne), Rachel Eagles (Camden) and young Tamika Wallace (Goulburn).

Tamika also won the honour of the first Goulburn rider to finish and enjoyed a solid hit out before next week’s Junior Tour on the same course.

In Division 1 the race came together on the final climb out of Fish River with the scratch riders having made up the 8 minutes on the limit riders.

Callum Emmerton provided excellent protection for his brother Jacob to ensure he had plenty left in the tank for the final sprint.

In a mass sprint to the finish line Jacob burst out of the peloton to take line honours from Andrew Ballas (Camden) and a trio of Nowra Velo riders. Jacob Emmerton was also awarded the fastest time in chasing down the front runners.

Next weekend is the Goulburn Junior Tour at Breadalbane and Gunning. With over 150 entries, the New Zealand National Junior team and some of the very best NSW and ACT riders it promises to be another great weekend of racing. Get along to the Old Hume Highway and you could see Australia’s next Caleb Ewan or Chloe Hoskings in action.

Division 1

Division 2