Trio of photo finishes highlight Masters road races

Spectators were treated to a sprinting exhibition as Masters men’s and women’s hit the roads of Swan Reach, each vying to take home another national title.

​Men’s 5, 6 and 7 each saw photo finishes at the line with dozens of riders are crossing within seconds of each other, wowing the cheering crowds.

Phil Kesby (Hamilton Wheelers CC) was first to cross the line in the MM6 race having made a gutsy break from the peloton 3kms from home. His lead was nearly chased down; however, Kesby remained strong to take the line. Metres before the checkered flag Kesby sat up and punched the air, soaking up his title after a winning in dry, warm conditions.  

Men’s Masters 7 & 5 were also close finishes with the first 10 riders crossing under a second in the MM7 and 25 riders finishing together in the MM5 finale.

Alpine Cycling Club’s Wayne Hildred claimed a memorable MM7 victory, leading home a swarming peloton, beating Trevor Hyde (Sutherland Shire CC) and William Gordin (St Kilda CC) for the remaining podium places.

An excited crowd awaited the MM5 riders to finish as word from the commissaires came through that a pack of 30 riders were making their charge to the line and in a remarkable finish Phillip Brownscombe took the honours.

Representing the Darwin Cycling Club, Brownscombe was applauded by his teammates as he crossed; pumping his fists after what was a closely contested race. Andrew Giovanetti (Hunter District CC) and Glenn Cooper (Bundaberg CC) did their best to push for the win but had to settle for silver and bronze.

Other results saw one of the events elder statesmen, 78 year old Martin Peeters (Southern Masters CC) take gold in another sprint finish, this time for the MM10 title.

“I was given number 1 and that put a lot of pressure on me. I said ‘I didn’t particularly want number 1’ but they gave it to me so had to win it” Peeters jokingly said after his win.  

WM7 champ Maria Nash (Waratahs Masters CC) also spoke of her win in only her third road race.

“It was very exciting, I did a sprint finish, I don’t often do sprint finishes but it was great.”

Saturday will see M1-4 & W1-3 take on the looped road course and hopefully some more great racing.

Complete times and results can be found at here. 

Masters Men 5
Phillip BROWNSCOMBE (Darwin Cycling Club)                                               2h08:50
Masters Men 6
Phillip BROWNSCOMBE (Darwin Cycling Club)                                               1h45:51
Masters Men 7
Wayne HILDRED (Alpine Cycling Club)                                                             1h51:26
Masters Men 8
Guy FALLA (Gold Coast Cycling Club)                                                               1h46:04
Masters Men 9
Piet VAN GURP (Penrith Cycling Club)                                                              1h48:55
Masters Men 10
Martin PEETERS (Southern Masters Cycling Club)                                          1h54:15
 
Masters Women 4
Nicky ROLLS (Brisbane Cycling Club)                                                                2h24:29
Masters Women 5
Anna DAVIS (Coburg Cycling Club)                                                                    2h24:47
Masters Women 6
Anne-Louise COSGROVE (Kangaroo Point Cycling club)                               2h00:23
Masters Women 7
Maria NASH (Waratah Masters Cycle Club)                                                     2h00:23
Masters Women 8
N/A
Masters Women 9
Gaye LYNN (Sutherland Shire Cycling Club)                                                    2h00:43

FULL RESULTS