CYCLING
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Jono Cutler’s good cycling form continued this week when he claimed the A and B grade combined Bathurst Cycling Club Handicap on the weekend.
Cutler’s victory came after placing third in last week’s A grade scratch race behind Blair Windsor and Zach Baker, and on the back of that performance he was able to go two better in patchy weather conditions on Saturday.
The eventual winner did plenty of work for his bunch to ensure they were not caught by the fast- moving scratch bunch that itself included a number of riders in strong form.
That group included Steve Bennett, Brad Roughley, Ryan O’Donnell, Mark Windsor, Bruce Goddard and Orange star Gus Tobin.
They looked like bridging the gap to Cutler’s group but couldn’t quite make the junction, leaving a handful of riders to fight out the finish.
In the sprint to the line it was Cutler who was too fast for Geoff Short and Steve Scott, who filled the remaining podium spots, while Glen Partridge was close by in fourth.
Kirsten Howard was the best placed female on the day, and continued her strong season with fifth spot overall. Karl Addison managed to hold Will Hodges off for sixth.
The scratch bunch powered home and only missed the lead group by 20 seconds.
Orange rider and Bathurst club regular Angus Tobin of the Search2Retain NRS Team lead the scratch group home and claimed fastest time honours before flying out for the NRS Tour of Murray this week.
In the C and D grade handicap, former international competitor Toireasa Gallagher showed plenty of natural talent to finish first and fastest in the event.
It was a good day for the girls, with Donna Scott finishing second in front of marathon man Gary Baker.
Scott Allen rode an outstanding race to get home in fourth in front of Mark Sutton, Ian Hill and Ken Birch.
Meanwhile Tobin and Bathurst pair Harry Carter and Craig Hutton safely negotiated the first stage of the Tour of Murray, with Tobin recording an excellent 10th place finish on Tuesday.
Carter managed 33rd in the gruelling 155.6 kilometre ride, while Hutton finished 91st in his first race back after a trip to Europe.
Yesterday the field were due to contest a criterium event before a 98.2km road stage today.