THE Hugh Cram Memorial Sash is one of the most exciting races in the Footscray Cycling Club’s winter road season.
The 54 riders are split into six ability-based bunches, with the gun riders on scratch and setting off 27 minutes after the first ‘‘limit’’ bunch.
From first rider to last, everyone has a chance to win on the notoriously tough Granite Road hills course at Staughtonvale.
This year, victory went to Tom Ainsworth, who was thrilled to claim the sash named in memory of club legend Hugh Cram.
Ainsworth, a Williamstown resident, won the race from the third scratch group. “This is extraordinary – I’m truly humbled,’’ he said. “I’m honoured to win something with the Cram name on it.”
For the guns in the scratch group, the catch became even more difficult as the bunch blew apart, with Dom Dudkiewicz and Ben Johnson forging ahead. Ainsworth settled into the third scratch group, which managed to keep its distance from the scratch riders.
“The group worked really well together today,’’ he said. “As we headed down Granite Road, Alister Rau did a massive turn leading to the turnaround point and blew everyone away, then we looked around and there were just the three of us.
“Myself, Josh Toohey and Alister swapped turns until the second last hill, when Alister backed off and Josh and I worked together and sprinted it out at the end.”
Ainsworth crossed the line in 2:01.29, just ahead of Toohey with Rau completing the podium.
Dudkiewicz landed the fastest time sash, completing the course in 1:34.29.
