The Acciona Gunning Wind Farm graded scratch races were beset by wild winds at Breadalbane last week, which marked the first round of the Goulburn Cycle Club Championships for 2020/21.
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Gale force winds provided for a fast run up the climb to the turnaround at the top of the Cullerin Range but riders would be challenged by the headwind on the return journey.
D Grade set out first with Peter Jackson leading off Fiona Berry, Bernie Budgen and Wayne Skillman. By the turnaround, Skillman had edged ahead of Jackson while Bugden and Berry struggled with the pace.
All riders ended up time trialling directly into the headwind for the return to Breadalbane. Skillman proved the strongest rider as he took out the win from Jackson and Bugden.
There were plenty of personal bests set in C Grade on the outward leg of the course, and all seven riders in the peloton made it safely through the turnaround.
The peloton maintained its shape on the return leg with all riders taking a share of the work at the front. Nothing separated the riders at the Breadalbane Church with everyone jockeying for position and waiting for someone to open up the sprint.
Chris Berry was the first to jump, forcing the peloton to chase. Nadine Moroney bridged the gap with Ian Wardale in hot pursuit followed closely by Michael Hall, Zane Jackson, Tony Neate and Mark Stutchbury. In one final effort Wardale passed Moroney and out-sprinted Berry for the win.
Racing in B Grade was tight throughout, with no one able to shake off the others. In the final sprint to the line nothing separated the riders and in a close finish Jordan Rowlands managed to edge out Jason Pattison and Alex Wallace for the win.
After managing to open up a lead over Jason McLaughlin in A Grade, Jacob Emmerton and Robbie Dorsett battled each other for the lead over 20kms.
In the closest finish of the evening, Emmerton took out the win by the narrowest of margins over Dorsett. The margin was so close both riders were awarded the same time.
Next Wednesday, February 24, racing returns to Range Road. Sign on is at the corner of Range Road and Chinamans Lane from 6pm and racing starts at 6.30pm. New riders are welcome.
Results
A Grade
- Jacob Emerton 35:09 39.3km/hr
- Robbie Dorsett 35:09 39.3km/hr
- Jason McLaughlin 36:08 38.2km/hr
B Grade
- Jordan Rowlands 36:51 37.5km/hr
- Jason Pattison 36:52 37.4km/hr
- Alex Wallace 36:53 37.4km/hr
C Grade
- Ian Wardale 38:43 35.6km/hr
- Chris Berry 38:44 35.6km/hr
- Michael Hall 38:46 35.6km/hr
D Grade
- Wayne Skillman 43:48 31.5km/hr
- Peter Jackson 44:10 31.2km/hr
- Bernie Bugden 46:26 29.7km/hr
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