Ross Bush riders celebrate a big day

June 30, 2024 BY Abby Pardew

Race winners were presented with their prizes by Ross Bush's brother, Peter Bush (left). Photos: RON NOTT.

GEELONG Cycling Club hosted their annual Ross Bush Memorial Handicap race on Saturday, with riders from all over Victoria taking part this year.

Geelong Cycling Club President Kris Hinck said he was happy with the turnout for the race, with 83 riders across 23 cycling clubs participating in the 98km ride.

“It was a great event, the race was held in really safe conditions on a really challenging course and it was well supported.

“The weather didn’t impact the racing at all so that was a real highlight, it was a cool but overcast day so that made for some really great racing.”

This was the first year the event had been included on the AusCycling calendar, making it a statewide race, which Mr Hinck said attracted a breadth of riders.

“Usually with local racing, you get quite familiar with the riders that are going to turn up, but it’s great to run a race where you don’t really know a lot of the rider’s history, it just creates that line of uncertainty with the competition.

“It’s a pretty spectacular event for us to host, it’s the biggest one we’ve hosted.

“The feedback from Auscycling and the officials was really positive about rider behaviours and also the running of the event as well, they were really pleased.”

Ross Bush was a national level cyclist and was hit by a car on the road out to Anakie, and the annual race honours his memory.

Geelong Cycling Club was able to get in contact with his brother, Peter Bush who came down for the event, presenting the winners with their prizes.

More than 80 riders set off for the 98km race.

Toni Qian from Hawthorn Cycling took out first place, followed closely by James Verhoef from the Port Fairy Cycling Club in second and Duilio Paterno from Carnegie Caufield Cycling in third.

Mornington Cycling Club’s Emily Dixon took out fourth place overall and was the fastest finishing female.

Tynan Shannon is the incumbent Geelong Cycling Club champion and came in from the scratch group finishing fifth with the fastest time.

Mr Hinch thanked the volunteers who helped out on the day, ensuring all the corners were marshalled and the race was safe.

Geelong Cycling Clubs next race is the Deans Marsh Gravel Classic on July 20.

For more information, head to geelongcycling.com