The start/finish line was on Chester Pass Road, near the Albany Business Centre, with competitors sent off in four separate groups.

The outward leg proved extremely fast with riders regularly doing more than 50kmh. The tail wind, combined with the speed of the riders, meant that by the time the Manypeaks turn-around was reached, the time gaps between the groups had only been reduced by a small amount.

However, as soon as riders turned and headed into the wind, riding became extremely hard.

Conditions proved too tough for the two riders who had been sent off first.

Keith Symes and Brian Retalick were caught shortly after the turn-around, and were quickly dropped by the second group of Forte, McTaggart, Cass, Castlehow, Thornton and Gladish.

The scratch and chopping block riders tried desperately to catch those sent off earlier but on the return leg, as riders dropped off, this became increasingly difficult.

Graham Forte and the group worked well together and found themselves with plenty of time to think about the tactics that might be necessary for winning a sprint in gale-force conditions.

Forte judged it perfectly and sprinted clear for his first victory since joining the club. Geoff Cass was second and Linley McTaggart third.

Greg Newton, who had been sent off scratch, had the fastest time of one hour, 58 minutes, 32 seconds.

– Greg Connell.