Weekend in review

Now into its fourth year, the Cycling Express Warburton race weekend hosted by the Blackburn Cycling Club has been run and won. Each year the event continues to grow, as word gets out about the great circuits on offer in the hills around Warburton.

With the Synergy Baku team entered, the start list for the weekend had an international flavour. The pleasant weather that greeted riders Saturday morning for the hill climb up Mt Donna Buang was a nice change from last year’s wet and cold conditions. Riders across the board were posting some impressive times; with Miranda Griffiths (Holden Women's Cycling team) the fastest of the women winning in 53:15 and Connor McConvey (Synergy Baku team) winning the Men’s with a blistering time of 45:13!

The circuit for Sunday’s road race led riders out through Powelltown on the Yarra Junction Noojee road, where all riders then continued with at least one lap of the hilly Piedmont loop. Great racing was had across all the grades, with the challenging course paring each bunch down by the finish. Women's A grade was won by Rebecca Locke (Liv/Giant) coming in just over two minutes ahead of Sarah Riley (Liv/Giant) and Rachel Ward (Bendigo & District CC). Men's A grade was a closer affair with Nathan Elliott (Target Trek) just getting the better of Peter English (St Kilda CC) with a strong throw to the line.

Congratulations to all the riders who raced over the weekend. Thanks  goes to Cycling Express for their continued support of our events. Also to the Commissaires, the Blackburn Cycling Club - Warburton race committee for their dedication in the months prior organizing the event, and all the volunteers who gave their time up on the weekend.  Mark it on your calendar for next year!