Strongest prevail in windy Masters Road Nationals

Twelve more masters national champions have been crowned on the windy roads east of Loxton today.

Must like yesterday, a stiff westerly wind defined the second day of road racing at the 2024 AusCycling Masters & Junior Road National Championships.

The tough conditions produced many solo winners and small breakaways, filtering the strongest riders to the fore.

The women’s masters 6-9 categories were first to start, and each of the winners came home by themselves. There was more than a tear shed during the emotional podium ceremonies as Anne Elliott (Darling Downs CC), Julie Rappo (Redlands Cycling and Multisport Club), Margaret Boylan (Adelaide Hills CC) and Alison Curry (Mildura-Coomealla CC) collected their respective champions’ jerseys.

The men’s masters 6 race ended in a two-up sprint, where Mike Clucas (Southern Masters CC) comfortably got the better of breakaway companion Scott Davis (Centennial Park CC).

The men’s masters 7 race saw the biggest sprint of the day as 10 riders reached the finish line together, where Russell Newnham (Carnegie Caulfield CC) prevailed.

There were solo wins to Ross Bowles (Harlequin) in the men’s 8 race, and Malcolm Lynn (Sutherland Shire CC) in the men’s 10 race – the latter winning by nearly eight minutes.

A three-up sprint decided the honours in the men’s 9 category, where Bruce McMillan (Cootamundra CC) clinched the title.

The men’s 3 race saw two riders escape the peloton, where Andrew Friebe (University of Queensland CC) got the better of Shannon Scott (Alpine CC) in the finale. Ian Morrison (Randwick Botany CC) took the bronze from a chasing trio, with the peloton almost a minute behind the winners.

One of the most impressive rides of the day came from Chris Ling (Dulwich Hill BC), who rode away from the men’s masters 5 field and won solo by over six minutes. The Sydneysider added the road race to Thursday’s time trial victory and is on track to complete another sweep of the category, as he did in 2023.

Chris Ling prevailed in an impressive solo attack.

Finally, a South Australian rider took out the last race of the day as Russell Van Hout (Norwood CC) won the three-up sprint to clinch the men’s 4 title.

The 2024 AusCycling Masters & Junior Road National Championships conclude tomorrow with the criteriums in the centre of Loxton.

Medal winners – Road Race

Women Masters 6

1. Anne ELLIOTT (Darling Downs CC)
2. Roberta SALVATORI (Harlequin Wheelmen)
3. Anna DAVIS (Coburg CC)

Women Masters 7

1. Julie RAPPO (Redlands Cycling and Multisport Club)
2. Lynda BEHAN (Southern Cross CC)
3. Anne-Louise COSGROVE (Kangaroo Point CC)

Women Masters 8

1. Margaret BOYLAN (Adelaide Hills CC)

Women Masters 9

1. Alison CURRY (Mildura-Coomealla CC)

Men Masters 3

1. Andrew FRIEBE (University of Queensland CC)
2. Shannon SCOTT (Alpine CC)
3. Ian MORRISON (Randwick Botany CC)

Men Masters 4

1. Russell VAN HOUT (Norwood CC)
2. Tom LEAPER (Blackburn CC)
3. Matthew SPARNON (Norwood CC)

Men Masters 5

1. Chris LING (Dulwich Hill BC)
2. Paul CRAFT (Central Coast CC)
3. Johnny ROSE (Hamilton Wheelers CC)

Men Masters 6

1. Mike CLUCAS (Southern Masters CC)
2. Scott DAVIS (Centennial Park CC)
3. Richard WOODS (Australian Time Trials Association)

Men Masters 7

1. Russell NEWNHAM (Carnegie Caulfield CC)
2. Neil ARNOLD (Illawarra CC)
3. Peter MCSWIGGAN (Manly Warringah CC)

Men Masters 8

1. Ross BOWLES (Harlequin)
2. Jack YUEN (Waratah Masters CC)
3. Peter MICHAEL (Adelaide Hills CC)

Men Masters 9

1. Bruce MCMILLAN (Cootamundra CC)
2. Glenn FORD (Eureka CC)
3. Ian LOVELL (Newcastle Hunter CC)

Men Masters 10

1. Malcolm LYNN (Sutherland Shire CC)
2. John HORSBURGH (Peloton Sports)
3. Alex SOMMARIVA (ADF Cycling)

Photos: James Raison / AusCycling