Ben Harris won the ACC 30K handicap race on Boorolong today after launching an audacious attack as he passed under the flamme rouge (ok, telegraph pole wires) with the uphill finish in sight. Light winds and sunshine welcomed the 18 riders who turned out on a cracking spring afternoon for a race that very nearly wasn’t (more of that later).

Jo and Dave Jenner got things underway, followed by a group of 5 riders at 6 minutes, closely followed by the 7-minute trio of Billy, Bourkey and Lachie McPhie. These groups, along with block and scratch, held together on the way out safely navigating the uphill outward leg with no sign of the chasers. As block hit the bottom of the Twisties, Jo Wauch had pulled ahead of Dave Jenner, lighting up the tarmac on her way home and looking good for a repeat of her solo victory the week before on Dangarsleigh. At the turn Mr Timekepeer (Swanny) announced to block that they were 1m:30s behind the pack with scratch now breathing down their necks.

Johnny was back in that hard-breathing scratch group this week and they caught the 4 block riders on the drag up to the Claremont Rd turn-off. The larger group of 8 then quickly caught 3 riders ahead and after a brief getting-to-know-you period, set about catching the remnants of the 6-minute group who were in sight but working well and seemed to be retaining a reasonable lead. They were caught close to Dumaresq Dam and most managed to attach themselves to the now fairly large train that was rattling along in pursuit of Jo Wauch who was still out of sight at this point.

A couple of quick digs on the sharper uphill sections dropped a few passengers but the group was still sizeable as it entered the flat section of the run-in with just over 2km to the finish. Speeds were high enough to string the bunch out so it caught most by surprise when, on the final left bend with still 1 uphill km to go, Ben Harris jumped away with serious intent. He took one rider with him and a gap was rapidly formed as he navigated a route through the most rutted, pot-holed sections of road he could find (thanks Ben). At this point Jo loomed into view and it quickly became apparent there would be no repeat of the previous week as she was suddenly swamped by riders with the bunch now really starting to motor. Ben was still ahead but fading and it looked like he would run out of steam. However he had just enough left in the tank to launch one more attack and somehow managed to hold off the rapidly advancing Cannibal, as Johnny came within a wheel of catching him as they flashed over the line.

Houlty and San Remo battled out 3rd and 4th and Clint Bourke finished off a great ride to claim 5th spot. More valuable RROTY beans for San Remo means he extends his lead to 23 points over Jo but watch out for Johnny who cements his 3rd place with the extra points to day and is now just 3 shy of Jo. Billy Mara also continues to edge up the table, slipping quietly into 4th spot while Houlty also gains a couple of spots moving into 7th position with 6 rounds still to go.

A big thank you from the club and riders to Swanny for stepping in at the last minute to do the signs and run the race today when it looked like we wouldn’t be able to put one on – and of course grabbing 4 RROTY points for his hard work!  Thanks also to Sam Jenner for snapping the finish line shots and to Deb for helping with the results. Next week we’re on Long Swamp for an ITT.