Run in very fast downwind conditions and starting 2km west of Denmark at McLean’s old sawmill, this race features hilly sections leaving Denmark and again entering Albany.

This can leave any riders slightly off their game, vulnerable to being dropped from their starting packs and forced to fend for themselves, tacking on to the packs passing them for as long as they can survive, only to be dropped again.

The favourable wind conditions meant the stronger riders were cruising at speeds approaching 50kph on the long flat sections mid-race.

Rowan Burton put in a staggering performance to win this year’s race.

As the sole back marker he quickly caught the scratch group of Greg Connell, Quantum Team Avanti’s Steve McGuire, Jeff Barnes, Murray Bracknell and Glen Tranter.

Sweeping past most other riders, none of whom were able to tack on until around the 10km mark at Marbellup railway crossing, Burton attacked the long hill to the finish, averaging in excess of 40kph over the 51km race.

Mark Bailey and Richard Dunn finished second and third respectively.

It was tremendous to see young riders Bailey and Matt Puzey back in the lycra after layoffs – the club needs these young men racing.

Denmark’s Kea Mumford showed strong form and won the trophy for the first female over the line ahead of Lucy Wellstead, Corinne Bracknell and Marilyn Connell.

Next week’s race is the JW Smith Cup race to Camp Quaranup, Frenchman Bay and return, starting and finishing at Trudy’s Cabin at 2pm.

Good spectator positions would be anywhere along Frenchman Bay Road, west of The Gap turnoff, where the downhill run home should see riders reaching speeds of 70kph.

– Patrick Elms.