Femmes fantastic around Learmonth

EUREKA Cycling delivered the first major event for 2020 on the Veteran Cycling Victoria calendar last Saturday.

The skies at Learmonth were heavily overcast yet did little to deter the enthusiasm of the 40 female riders who competed in La Course Aux Velo Femmes, or Women’s Bicycle Race.

Melbourne rider Robyn Baker was having her first ever veteran cycling race and won in a breeze, literally, as behind her the field had been ripped apart by the strengthening wind.

Only a few small groups able to finish in bunches with the remaining riders rolling to the line solo.

The two scratch riders, Jessica Douglas and Renata Bucher, averaged an impressive 37kph in the tough conditions and both finished in the top ten.

Eureka Cycling Club fielded nine competitors in the event. The club welcomed back Suzanne Parker and Jude Jonasson from short breaks in their road racing careers.

La Course Aux Velo Femmes is race one in the 2020 Conni Classic Women’s Race Series. The riders competed for over $1600 in prize money and trophies.

Race two will be held at Bendigo in September and the series concludes at Geelong in December.

Race Results – 1st – Robyn Baker (Northern) 29 mins, 2nd – Diane Jane (Central) 22 mins, 3rd – Paula McGovern (Eastern) 22 mins, 4th – Meg Parnaby (Grampians) 19 mins, 5th – Susie Beretta (Geelong) 19 mins, 6th – Melissa Caffrey (Central) 19 mins, 7th – Aileen O  Brien (Central) 19 mins, 8th – Jessica Douglas (Geelong) scratch, 9th – Renata Bucher (Geelong) Scratch, 10th – Alison Watt (Northern) 22 mins. Fastest time – Jessica Douglas (Geelong) scratch, in 1h 26m, ave. 37kph.