Hendry wins in a sprint, again

EUREKA Cycling Club saw eighteen riders compete on Sunday, 27 November, in a fifty-one-kilometre handicap on the Weatherboard circuit near Burrumbeet.

The rear of the field compressed inside the first five kilometres, with 10 riders forming a fast-moving pack.

The strengthening wind caused fractures in the out-marker groups and by the end of the third lap, just two bunches were left on the course.

Dennis Shaw, Danny Whelan, Roger McMillan, Luke Taylor and first-time racer with Eureka – Alana Forster – led the race, while Jason Hendry and Stu Brien showed the way for the large chasing pack.

The inevitable catch was made with over a lap remaining and the peloton held a solid pace from that point until the last few kilometres, when the gloves were thrown off.

The finale was explosive with Taylor leading the peloton onto the final climb at a terrific pace.

Hendry launched his sprint early and many tired legs could only watch on as he raced away to a comfortable win from Jason Birch who finished second as usual, then a gap to Dean Wells rounding out the podium.

Weatherboard handicap (51km) results – 1st – Jason Hendry (scratch), 2nd – Jason Birch (30secs), 3rd – Dean Wells (30secs), 4th – Tim Sinclair (30secs), 5th – Stu Brien (scratch)

Fastest time – Jason Hendry in 1h 21m 20s, average speed 37.5kph

– BY DEAN WELLS