LAST year a puncture robbed Stewart Campbell of his shot at glory in the Blayney to Bathurst short course race, but on Sunday he raised his arms in triumph as he crossed the finish line.
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The 45-year-old Bicisport rider snagged his third win in the 70 kilometre event after attacking on the first main descent.
He managed to gap the lead pack, which included Bathurst rider and king of the mountains winner Nick North, and enjoy a comfortable enough advantage to roll across the line as he saluted.
“I’ve won it three times before – yeah I like it. I just have got to get over the hill, then it’s my domain. Once I’m on the flat I’m fine,” Campbell said.
“Last year I was in the break which ended up winning, but then I punctured which was a bit annoying. My last win was about four years ago when it finished on the straight [Pit Straight].
“I attacked on the descent because I am a lot heavier and can descend faster, then I stayed away through the rollers. I think they thought that I would come back to them, but once I get into recovery mode in time trialling on the flat, I won’t slow down.
“Once I got to the second descent, I put another 20 seconds on them. On the flat, for me, I can sit on 42-43 [kilometres per hour] no problem and they have got to sit on 46 to catch me, and that’s not going to happen.
“It was windy everywhere, but that’s how I like it. Wind? What wind?”
Campbell won in a time of one hour, 49 minutes, 27 seconds, crossing the line 25 seconds ahead of Dubbo’s Kurt Eather, with Edmund Wright (1:49.59) third.
