Twenty seven cyclists fronted up for the annual Stump Hill Handicap on the Benalla Road last Thursday.

In great conditions and a moderate north-easterly, Sue Hall set off first closely followed by Tony Morris at the four minute mark. The team of Tony Williams, Daryl Rielly David Bock and David Clark were next being chased by Will MacDonald, Alain Guerin, Ian Conrick, John Eisner, Peter Walker and Ron Jones. Euan Friday, Mick Feeney, Steve Flew, Craig Wilson and Mark Calvert-Jones were next off with Jason Looby,Darren Bakker and Rob Greenway in group three. The usual Scratch group of Jock Brega, Bruce Halket, Stefan Vaivars and Mitch Greenway set off next with the visiting group of Jean Daniel Guerin, Damon DeAngelos and Simon Bone taking the position of fastest group.

Despite having two cyclists new to racing, MacDonald's group worked well to catch Williams et al by Long Lane. Dave Clark was riding conservatively after his crash three weeks ago and was off the pace early. Williams, Walker, Rielly, Conrick, Bock and Eisner worked together after the turnaround to avoid losing ground but it was MacDonald and Jones who rode off the front, mopping up Morris and the tenacious Sue Hall on the way home. Steve Flew rode strongly away from his group and Rob Greenway, Bakker and Looby crossed the gap well to contest the final hill. In the ensuing sprint to the finish, Will MacDonald finished well to take the win with Ron Jones coming second in his first ever race. Vaivars led a last second dash with Halket, Brega, Rob G and Mitch G just edging out Looby, Eisner and Bakker on the line. Fastest time for the night went to Simon Bone who won a nights accommodation at Rosedale House courtesy of Steve Plummer.

Thanks to Dick and Jenny Forrest for sponsoring this annual event and thanks to The Deck for also sponsoring the evening. Thanks also to the volunteers who helped as well. This week's race is a 21km handicap on the Whitfield Rd. Entries to Di by 8pm.

Results -CLICK HERE.

PROVISIONAL Ladder - CLICK HERE.
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