An enthusiastic field of 29 cyclists fronted up for the 22km Benalla rd handicap last Thursday evening.

First off were Sue Hall and Lez Large. Lez attacked early but Sue tenaciously reeled him in. Both were caught by half way by the team of David Clark, Tony Morris, Loretta Armitage and Daryl Rielly. Working well together, they established a solid lead with Allan Gerrans, Geoff Jones, Michelle Condie and Tony Williams in pursuit.

Foley Lachal, David Bock, Tony Ryan and Craig Wilson made up the next group. Meanwhile, further to the rear, the group of John Eisner, Steve Plummer, Uschi Steedman and Mark Calvert-Jones dug in hard to catch Will MacDonald,Di Condie, Mark Ross and Will Calvert-Jones just after the half way point.

Mopping up the stragglers, this enlarged bunch could see Lachal et al in the distance but it was the group of Clark & Co who found themselves in clear space with David Clark timing a sprint to the finish well and taking the long awaited win. Morris edged out Rielly on the line with Loretta coming fourth. Of note, Will Calvert-Jones was pleased to narrowly beat Mark (Dad) on the line in a sprint for minor placings.

This weeks race is the Stewart’s Bus Lines time trial at Piries on the Booroolite-Chapel Hill Road. Entries to Di by Wed 8pm please.

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