Competitors headed to Balliang in the Brisbane Ranges for round 11 of Footscray Cycling Club’s winter season.
Riders pushed through 75 kilometres of racing to the base of the dreaded Granite Road hills in dry, calm conditions.
The event was also the second in the club’s five-race super series.
With no wind to speak of, the A-grade race was won by 21-year-old Todd Satchell, of the Anchor Point South Coast cycling team.
Satchell led his team of six to victory with a narrow win over FCC regular Craig Robertson.
Satchell said he and his team had a clear plan for the race.
“We threw a few of our guys up the front to keep the pace high, and I sat in there until a break went and jumped across to them.
‘‘There were eight of us and I had my teammate and big brother Allen lead me out, and I took the win.”
Satchell said he had been racing for 14 years, but only started to get serious in the past three years.
“I’ve been doing the national road series and have finished in every race I’ve started in.’’
Alastair Tubb backed up his recent strong form in B-grade by crossing the line first.
The win also earned him a spot in A-grade, continuing his rise up the ranks.
The 28-year-old was surprised at the “civilised” start to the race.
“The bunch started rolling turns from the start and pretty much did so until the first climb,’’ Tubb said.
‘‘I tried to cover any breaks and on the second climb I had a go myself, but everyone got back on the wheel again.
‘‘From there, it was just a matter of backing my sprint in and trying to cover any last-minute moves.”
