The Syd Harper Cup, a handicap race, was held in almost perfect conditions on Saturday.

The course, out to Frenchman Bay and back, provided a good combination of hills and flats.

Frenchman Bay Hill is normally a major challenge to all riders and this year’s race was no exception.

Despite 10 Albany Cycling Club members currently overseas on a cycling holiday, 30 riders set out.

The wind helped on the outward leg and riders made good times to the turnaround at the bottom of the hill.

The return trip was a lot tougher as it was into the wind and resulted in several goups splitting up.

Riders worked hard on the downward leg to keep their speed up and eventually a group of about 12 joined forces and managed to keep some of the faster groups at bay.

This led to an exciting bunch sprint finish.

A very fast-finishing Tarquin Smart kept Michael Savage, Rod Grieve and Steve Baxter at bay.

Their average speed was just under 40kmh.

Less than a second separated this group but the club’s new timing system made the timekeeper’s job easy in what would have been a very difficult task.

It was Tarquin’s first ever win after competing for many years.

Michael Savage, a visitor from Melbourne, on a borrowed bike did exceptionally well.

Rod Grieve was extremely happy with his placing mainly because he managed to beat his nemesis, Peter Dawson.

Bronwyn Alley showed the results of some dedicated training and was the first woman across the line, after doing plenty of work in the final stages.

The fastest time over the course was recorded by Mark Bailey, who is still recovering from a nasty fall which he suffered in the Australian Junior Championships in Queensland last week.

This weekend’s event is one of the premier races on the club’s calendar - the Mt Barker to Albany race.

This is a handicapped event and the handicapper will have his work cut out again to provide a competitive race.

– Rod Greive.