Canny effort toast of La Mirabella

The sun shone down on Learmonth for the 2022 edition of Eureka Cycling’s La Mirabella Trofeo.

Out on the Windmill circuit the relentless south easterly wind kept the feels like temperature below zero degrees Celsius for the entire race – this day would always be one of attrition.

Twenty-nine riders signed on for the 52.5-kilometre handicap, yet ten riders would not finish the event.

The five strong scratch group consisting of Matt Bowman, Tim Canny, Shane Clarke, Shane Nankervis and Paul Tabbitt proved all powerful on the day.

They swept through the three-minute and six-minute groups before the halfway point of the race, with Canny, Clarke and Nankervis making the race defining move shortly after.

The trio had the race lead just a few kilometres later, with a lap and a quarter remaining.

Bowman and Tabbitt were joined by Jason Birch, Lindsay Burgoyne and Dean Wells from the three-minute group, however they couldn’t reel the race leaders in.

Nankervis rolled the dice on the last lap and broke away for almost eight kilometres.

Canny and Clarke eventually brought him back and the trio played cat and mouse down the long home straight into a block headwind.

The sprint opened up with just 50 metres remaining and ultimately Canny took the victory by a half wheel.

The chase bunch finished shortly after the place getters, having split apart in the wind down the home straight.

Further back down the road Renee Clapham and Geoff Edwards were tenacious in their efforts against the elements.

La Mirabella Trofeo, 52.5km handicap, Windmill Circuit – 1st – Tim Canny (scratch), 2nd – Shane Clarke (scratch), 3rd – Shane Nankervis (scratch), 4th – Matt Bowman (scratch), 5th – Paul Tabbitt (scratch), 6th – Dean Wells (3 mins), 7th – Lindsay Burgoyne (3 mins), 8th – Jason Birch (3 mins), 9th – Peter Livitsanis (10 mins), 10th – Peter Gunston (3 mins). 1st woman – Renee Clapham (13 mins). Ride Of The Day – Geoff Edwards (13 mins). Fastest Time – Tim Canny (scratch) in 1h 20m average speed 39.6kph.

– BY DEAN WELLS