In contrast to the hot weather seen over the past few weeks the Mansfield Mt Buller Cycling Clubs race last Thursday was held with lightning flickering in the distance and the threat of being caught in a downpour.

Generously sponsored by Bakker Plumbing, twenty two cyclists headed out on the Howes creek Rd course. A last minute scratching left Clare Bennetts off limit by herself in her first race. This left Julie Dolling , Di Condie and Dick Forrest chasing with the bunch of Guerin , Jagger , Riley , Conrick and Bock next in line.

Despite lack of any real road time the bunch of Feeney, Friday , Calvert-Jones , Copland , Wilson and Eisner charged off next chased by Plummer , Christine Hopkins , Beattie and Macdonald. Scratch was last to leave , comprised of Halket , Ross Hopkins and Bakker.

Bennetts rode solidly and noisily on her bike and did well to hold off the bunch until after the turnaround. Jagger's bunch was sorting itself out coming out of the turnaround as the bunch of Feeney etal closed in. It seemed inevitable that the groups would join however after a good tunaround the group was not seen again. Halket , Bakker and Hopkins worked well to join block and it seemed they too would reel in the slower groups however a series of efforts fragmented the group and similarly other groups cracked giving David Jagger the opportunity to push out for a good win.

Julie Dolling rode consistently to place second and Ian Conrick tactically completed the podium. Ross Hopkins edged out Bruce Halket in a good finish for fastest time.

Thanks to Darren and Trish Bakker for sponsoring the night as well as the Alpine Butchery and the Delatite Hotel. Thanks too to our usual officials and helpers and the residents of Howes Creek.

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