TWENTY-five riders contested the annual Blue Wheel Trophy race on Sunday, 5 November.<\/p>\n
Each year the race is named to honour volunteers who have made Eureka Cycling Club the club it is today.<\/p>\n
In 2023 the race was named The Rock, in recognition of the enormous contribution that Mal and Lyn Rock have made to the club since it was formed in 2009.<\/p>\n
Eureka\u2019s culture is that much stronger for their enduring dedication to the club.<\/p>\n
When it came to the road, conditions were warm and sunny for the race.<\/p>\n
A light south-east breeze helped the groups maintain their time gaps on the outward section to Black Bottom Road.<\/p>\n
Christian Ashby, Josh Harvey and Tom Ferguson took the race lead along Ercildoune Road having reeled in the limit riders.<\/p>\n
The trio were all but assured the victory when a mob of sheep brought the backmarkers to a brief stop with 14 kilometres remaining.<\/p>\n
The leading trio were still together when they made the turn onto Harrison\u2019s Road and commenced the mile long climb to the chequered flag.<\/p>\n
Knowing the race was theirs, they finally started to race each other, with Harvey prevailing at the top.<\/p>\n
The Rock handicap (Mount Misery with Hill Top finish) 47.5mm results: 1st – Josh Harvey (14 min), 2nd – Tom Ferguson (14 min), 3rd – Christian Ashby (14 min), 4th – Peter Farren (22 min), 5th – Andrew Rushton (8 min), 6th – Greg Ley (8 min), 7th – Lindsay Burgoyne (8 min), 8th – Dean Wells (8 min), 9th – Andrew Wilson (8 min), 10th – Steve Linane (14 min).<\/p>\n
Ride of the day – Christian Ashby (14 min), Fastest Time – Richard Younger (scratch) in 1h 12m, ave. 39.5kph.<\/p>\n