Dodger wasn’t the only Aussie celebrating a win over the weekend. Steve Walker won his first and Bastardi’s first road race win on Saturday at Mt Torrens. It was a perfect day for racing on a exciting undulating course with a short sharp kick about 1km from finish line followed by a long straight down hill section with the finish line on a small crest. With no results to show so far this season Steve was placed in E grade, with 4 laps of the 10km circuit, Steve easily disposed of his rivals halfway through the race and soloed to take the win of the 40km race.
Bastardi was well represented in C grade with 3 riders, Jason Green making a first up appearance, Dave Homburg having moved up since his 3rd place in the handicap and myself. We were in for 6 laps of the course in a very large bunch of over 30 riders. The was a bit of action in the first few laps and some attempts to breakaway, but that was always going to be hard with such a large bunch and riders keen to keep it all together. All Bastardis rode well but half through the fifth lap all 3 were at the very back of bunch. But this was just tactics and all 3 were at the head of the bunch coming into the hill on the last lap. There was a breakaway attempt on the final hill and Jason quickly tried to chase with vocal support from Dave, but the group all came back together on the line for a tricky bunch sprint finish. I snuck in for 4th place in a tight bunch sprint which the video ref was needed to confirm. Dave and Jason came in with bunch.
Was a great day for racing and well done to Steve for the win, now comes D grade!!!! - MG
