Two Grampians Veterans Cycling Club riders once again distinguished themselves in last weekend's Victorian Vets Road Championships at Lang Lang, southeast of Melbourne.
Leon Gibson took out the 70 to 74 year age group event, and Meg Parnaby earned a silver medal in the women's 50 plus age group race.
Both riders tackled the same tough 60 kilometre course, with its frequent long hills well suited to the strengths of both riders.
Only 10km into his race, the superbly fit Gibson found himself almost alone at the top of one of the long hills, with only Eastern rider Paul Kelly still clinging grimly to his wheel. Both riders shared the lead for the next 30km, until Gibson decided the pace was too slow and took off for home. He rode solo for the final 20km, opening up an impressive four minute winning margin.
Meg Parnaby also put in a great effort to take the silver in the women's 50 plus event. As in Gibson's race, Parnaby and former World Masters Champion Debra Hobbs broke clear on the first hill, the other riders just not able to take the pace.
However, on the next hill Hobbs showed why she is a former World Masters Champion, breaking clear of Parnaby, leaving both riders to ride the rest of the race solo. Hobbs came home first, and Parnaby second, well clear of the rest of the field.
In club racing, results for the Fyans Creek 44km scratch races held last Sunday saw Frank Kean take the overall A grade honours ahead of Daryl Elliott.
Other results are listed below.
ResultsA Grade - 1st Frank Kean, 2nd Daryl Elliott, 3rd Peter Parnaby.
B Grade - 1st Drew Heard, 2nd Tony Lloyd, 3rd Dean Hayward.
C Grade - 1st Peter Mayo, 2nd Stuart King, 3rd Tom Eldridge.
D Grade - 1st Sean Prins, 2nd Les Power.