The Tour is one of Victoria’s premier cycle events with stage one a 13.5km Time Trial, Stage two a road race to Towonga Gap and Stage 3 a race to the summit of Mount Hotham.

Stand out results were the Stage two win up to Towonga Gap by Troy Herfoss in the Elite Men and second on General Classification by Adam Kiss in Masters A Grade which included 4th in time trial, 3rd in Stage 2, 3rd in Stage 3 and 3rd for king of the mountain.

There were solid efforts from all the other Goulburn riders including Louisa Lobigs, Riley Fleming, Cameron Roberts, Isaac Hogan and Ricky Brooker.

In local racing the Bryants Cafe Handicap race was held on Middle Arm Road this week.

Starting at the cemetery riders faced a steady climb to the turnaround just past Dennys Lane followed by the fast run home back to the finish line at the cemetery.

Leading off on limit was Chris Bushell, Jimmy Spiers and Annette Pattison followed by the two minute group of Ted Goad and Bluey Emmerton.

Mark Stutchbury lead the 4 minute group which included David Carmichael, Craig Johnson, Peter Jackson, Tamika Wallace, Tony Wade, Gary Sheehy and Chris Berry.

Form C Grade riders of Kylie Brooker, Nadine Moroney and Wayne Bensley were in the 5 minutes 30 seconds bunch.

A large, strong B Grade bunch was off 7 minutes and included Isaac Hogan, Phil Champion, Jason Pattison, Gavin Moroney, Phil Hansen, Andrew Stewart and Michael Beard. There was enough firepower in this group to chase down the front runners provided they worked together efficiently and effectively.

The scratch markers off 10 minutes included Cameron Roberts and Ricky Brooker backing up from their Tour of Bright efforts along with Andy Cartwright and young Callum Emmerton.

By the turnaround the 4 minute group had closed in on most of the front runners and were holding off the chasers. Annette Pattison, as the sole surviving limit rider, continued to ride strongly on the return leg and for sometime it did not look like she would be caught. As Annette started to tire the catch was made but with one last surge of energy she managed to stay with the group.

Strong riding by Gary Sheehy, David Carmichael, Mark Stutchbury and Tamika Wallace continued to drive the 4 minute group toward the finish line with Chris Berry urging all to keep together and maintain their rolling pace line.

By the final two hills it became clear that the group would not be caught and the mind games started as riders jockeyed for position. Mark Stutchbury and Chris Berry lead the group up the final climb before Gary Sheehy applied the pressure just before the crest to open up the narrowest of margins. Bluey Emmerton, who have been hiding away in the peloton like all good sprinters, was awake to the move and followed Gary’s wheel and Tamika Wallace showing no ill effects from her track racing in Brisbane on the weekend was in close pursuit. As Gary surged toward the finish Bluey timed his sprint perfectly to pip him on the line. No wonder Gary was annoyed as it was the only time he has seen Bluey at the front!

Ricky Brooker took out the fastest time completing the course in just over 27 minutes at almost 43km/hr!

Another big thank you to the volunteers – Graeme, Brian, Mrs Bush, Phil, Allan, Lindsey and Lesley. Next Wednesday evening racing is another handicap event at Breadalbane. Sign on is at 6pm at the church and racing starts at 6.30pm. New riders are welcome.

Bryants Cafe 20km Handicap at Middle Arm Road

Results