A DILUTED field of riders played into the hands of Ben Johnson, who easily took line honours in the eighth round of the Footscray Cycling Club’s winter road season.
Several quality riders were competing at Phillip Island over the weekend and the pre-race favourite Johnson was allowed to dictate the terms of the race at the VUT Circuit in Hoppers Crossing on Saturday.
Johnson negotiated the icy conditions the better to break away from the pack and open up an unassailable lead.
The Flemington resident lived up to the hype leading into race day and
cruised to victory, winning from Tim Kirkham and Jason Costin.
The B grade racing was a much tighter affair with Ben Ryan having to use all his nous to make a successful breakaway in the final lap.
Tom Ainsworth continued his meteoric rise up the club rankings with a C grade triumph.
Ainsworth is the son of former league footballer Geoff, who played 135 games with Geelong.
In D grade, young Hoppers Crossing rider Josh Ryan claimed victory in a scintillating bunch sprint from Marcus Nyeholt and Eddie O’Farrell.
– Lance Jenkinson
