The event is usual held on the Marshall Mount course in the Illawarra but the course was unavailable due to roadworks.

Starting from just outside Gunning the riders descended to Fish River before the steady climb to the rail bridge and wind turbines at the summit of the Cullerin Range. A short descent to Poplar Straight and through the village of Breadalbane to the turnaround point. The race required riders to complete two laps of the course or 94kms in total

Over 130 riders signed on with six representatives from the Goulburn Club.

The temperature may have been a little cool at the start but it warmed up over the course of the race along with the westerly wind. Riders would enjoy a favourable tailwind on each of the outward legs but faced into a headwind after the turn around.

The field was divided into 8 bunches each setting off five minutes apart - slower riders off first with fastest riders the last to leave and if the handicappers calculations were right everyone would come together at the finish.

By the halfway mark the first three groups had combined and were holding off the chasers. The final climb up the Cullerin Range thinned the group down to 16 riders but they managed to maintain a two-minute advantage on the descent. As the leaders crossed Fish River for the final climb to the finish line it was a case of who had conserved enough energy and who had the strongest legs.

Ten riders contested the sprinted for the line and Peter Budd from Bicisport emerged victorious edging out Rod Lathan and Neil Arnold both from the Illawarra Club.

First female across the line and fourth overall was Vicki Whitelaw from Canberra Cycle Club.

Four Goulburn riders finished in the top 20 - Jeremy Gilchrist fifth Robbie Dorset 10th Jason Pattison 11th and Wayne Bensley 16th.

Canberra's Jay Vine had the fastest time followed by Ben Harvey and Daniel Gandy both from St George Cycle Club. Goulburn's Cameron Roberts was sixth fastest time overall.

Local club racing returns next Saturday on Range Road for the Fred McClelland Constructions scratch race and individual time trial. Sign on at the corner of Chinamans Lane by 1.45pm and racing starts at 2pm. New riders welcome

Results

Across the Line

Fastest Time

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