Windy is an understatement when describing the conditions for today's 3rd round of the Lake Health Group Summer Series. The 69km Swiss Mountain Handicap, sponsored by Shaw's Cycling Centre, took place in tough, blustery conditions on a circuit that allows no passengers. With smaller time gaps than last week, the scratch bunch were favoured to win however, the limit bunch was full of quality riders so if they were to ride smoothly together there was a chance they could stay away.
In the end though, the challenging course coupled with the horrendous wind took it's toll on the front markers and soon enough the 5 in scratch swept through the field collecting some helpful comrades along the way. The majority of the field was together with 5kms to go as riders looked at each other to see who would be game enough to attack and break things a part in the cross head wind to the line. Most efforts were to no avail until reining Club Champion Liam White dashed for the line about 300 meters out. Dan Braunsteins and Jez McInnes had a good fight for 2nd place and Tim Canny, Sam Smith and Kieran Paton rolled in for 4th, 5th & 6th respectively.
A huge thank you to our wonderful marshals that had their work cut out with literally tonnes of gravel on some of the corners to sweep away. Not one rider came down which is truly remarkable. Thank you to the Swiss Mountain pub for opening up early for us and providing us with much-needed fuel after the race. Thanks again to Sam Smith for chief marshalling for us and thank you to Kieran Paton and Shane Nankervis for setting the course up.
Results:
1st & Fastest Time - Liam White
2nd - Dan Braunsteins
3rd - Jeremy McInnes
4th - Tim Canny
5th - Sam Smith
6th - Kieran Paton
First Female - Erin Kineally
Click here for the Lake Health Group Aggregate
In the end though, the challenging course coupled with the horrendous wind took it's toll on the front markers and soon enough the 5 in scratch swept through the field collecting some helpful comrades along the way. The majority of the field was together with 5kms to go as riders looked at each other to see who would be game enough to attack and break things a part in the cross head wind to the line. Most efforts were to no avail until reining Club Champion Liam White dashed for the line about 300 meters out. Dan Braunsteins and Jez McInnes had a good fight for 2nd place and Tim Canny, Sam Smith and Kieran Paton rolled in for 4th, 5th & 6th respectively.
A huge thank you to our wonderful marshals that had their work cut out with literally tonnes of gravel on some of the corners to sweep away. Not one rider came down which is truly remarkable. Thank you to the Swiss Mountain pub for opening up early for us and providing us with much-needed fuel after the race. Thanks again to Sam Smith for chief marshalling for us and thank you to Kieran Paton and Shane Nankervis for setting the course up.
Results:
1st & Fastest Time - Liam White
2nd - Dan Braunsteins
3rd - Jeremy McInnes
4th - Tim Canny
5th - Sam Smith
6th - Kieran Paton
First Female - Erin Kineally
Click here for the Lake Health Group Aggregate