The Riverland Cycling Club had their final hit out before the Tour of the Riverland. 11 riders took to the start line in downtown Loveday for a 46km handicapped road race.
First off the mark was the dynamic duo of Ruth Strout and Angelo Ylia. 8 minutes later was Lee Rasheed, Terry Bond and Mick Gray. At the 13 minute mark Peter Burr and Clayton Bond set off for their race. A further 4 minutes back was Steve Jaensch, Lee Stevens and Phill “Ironman” Pfennig. Returning to race in the Riverland was Colby Jachmann with 19 minutes to make up on the front runners.
With the wind picking up racing was going to be a tough slog. The early casualty was Colby Jachmann, having to ride solo from scratch and catch riders in front of him proved too difficult and retired from the race. Stevens, Jaensch and Pfennig set a cracking pace from the gun, reeling in Burr and Clayton Bond on the second lap. The pace was too much with both of these riders eventually succumbing to the pace. The next group to get caught was Gray, Rasheed and Terry Bond. Terry Bond managed to grab onto the back briefly but was quickly dispatched. The last group for Jaensch, Stevens and Pfennig to catch now was Strout and Ylia. Halfway through the final lap Jaensch, Stevens and Pfennig had Strout and Ylia in their sights. With all riders caught Jaensch, Pfennig and Stevens set their sights on the finale. Stevens took the win and fastest time with Pfennig hot on his heels for second place. Jaensch stormed home for third place and Terry Bond dragged his body across the line for fourth. Ruth powered through the final half a lap to finish behind Terry Bond in fifth place with her riding partner Angelo Ylia finishing in sixth place. Clayton Bond and Peter Burr rode to the line together with Bond Junior managing to take out seventh place and Burr in eighth. Rasheed finished off his race in ninth place.
Next week sees the annual Tour of the Riverland. Four Riverland riders will be taking part this year, Matthew Benson, Colby Jachmann, Lee Stevens and Peter Burr. Peter Burr will be celebrating 30 years since his maiden victory in the Tour of the Riverland. Good luck to all riders taking part this year who will also be competing for the prestigious Tom Perry First Riverland rider and Bob Fisher Fastest Riverland Rider trophies.
Results
1 Lee Stevens Fastest Time
2 Phill Pfennig
3 Steve Jaensch
4 Terry Bond
5 Ruth Strout
6 Angelo Ylia
7 Clayton Bond
8 Peter Burr
9 Lee Rasheed
DNF Mick Gray
DNF Colby Jachmann