12 Riders were greeted with almost ideal conditions to compete in the Riverland Cycling Club Cooltong Handicap race. With a variety of abilities competing the handicapper was required to handicap on both time and distance. Off limit were the duo of Matthew Benson and Tyler Stevens with Benson required to complete 6 laps and Stevens only 4 laps. Next away was the large grouping of Peter Weston, Ruth Strout, Angelo Ylia, Terry Bond, Clayton Bond, Mick Gray and Dennis Robinson. This group were required to complete 5 laps. 1 minute behind them were the duo of Steve Jaensch and Lee Rasheed. Last to leave and only needing to complete 4 laps was Brayden Rasheed.
Jaensch and Rasheed Snr. Caught the main peloton within the first half lap, once caught all riders worked well together to keep the pace high and aim for the win. The two junior riders of Stevens and Rasheed Jnr. Rode hard all day on their own but couldn’t hold off the fast finishing peloton. Benson also rode hard with the furthest distance to cover but despite his best efforts couldn’t reel in the front finishers.
In a tight sprint for the line Jeansch pipped Rasheed Snr for the win with up and coming rider Clayton Bond rounding out the podium. Gray crossed the line for fourth with Weston and Strout hot on his heels. Tyler Stevens finished fast for 7th place with Benson and Rasheed Jnr duelling it out for 8th and 9th. Benson took out todays prize for fastest time averaging 38.5 km/hr. Terry Bond rolled home for 10th, still recovering from a broken collarbone with Dennis Robinson and Angelo Ylia finishing off the racing.
1st Steve Jeansch, (5 Laps 1 min)
2nd Lee Rasheed, (5 Laps 1min)
3rd Clayton Bond, 5 Laps)
4th Mick Gray, (5 Laps)
5th Peter Weston, (5 Laps)
6th Ruth Strout, (5 Laps)
7th Tyler Stevens, (4 Laps first off)
8th Matthew Benson,Fastest Time (6 Laps first off)
9th Brayden Rasheed, ( 4 Laps)
10th Terry Bond, (5 Laps)
11th Dennis Robinson, (5 Laps)
12th Angelo Ylia, (5 Laps)