The limit mark of 20 minutes saw a bunch of five leave first to tackle the arduous course, including Max Holgate, 13, and his grandfather John, now in his 70s, who has an excellent resume of his success in the sport for many years.
Former ironman champion Gary Smith and mountain bike specialist Andrew Smith also returned after a long absence. They were accompanied by promising Shepparton rider Angelina Torney, 14.
Next to leave with a 13-minute break ahead of the scratch bunch were former kayaking champion Rene Mol, the man with the big heart, Wayde Foster, and Finley's Darryl Frost.
The four-minute mark saw Yarrawonga-Mulwala's Murray Crawford and Dean Holgate ride with multiple club champion Bevan Humphries.
Tallygaroopna's Stanley Thomas was joined by the time trial specialist Troy Alexander and Daniel Burrows, both from nearby Tocumwal, Shepparton's Nick Torney, 19, and the man who has taken all before him in recent years Travis Lindhe, all riding from the hallowed scratch mark.
At the 7 km mark, the limit bunch was hindered by cattle grazing on the road and lost about 30 seconds, but soldiered on and even then looked likely to take out the lucrative prize money.
At the 10 km mark, the 13-minute bunch turned into the Back Berrigan Rd, having taken a small margin from the limit markers and were also hopeful of sharing the spoils.
Holgate, Crawford and Humphries were flying as they turned the corner and were going to put the scratch bunch to the test. About three minutes later, they also turned the corner continuing on the journey which would take them across the Mt Gwynne climb.
At the downhill section, Nick Torney could not match the high speed of the bunch and his race was over.
They continued on, now with a four-rider bunch, at very high speed, and with the four-minute bunch now in sight. With about 4 km to the finish the bunches came together. With the finish line in sight, riders who could not match the pace dropped out and Travis Lindhe, the sprint specialist, took out fastest time (50.07 ) from Stanley Thomas.
More importantly, who was at the front of the field. Max Holgate was first, finishing about 250 m ahead of second-placed Angelina Torney and the veteran Gary Smith came in third.
Holgate's time was one hour, seven minutes and six seconds, at an average speed of over 31 km/h.
In three appearances with the club, Holgate has placed first twice and second once. He is showing promise under the tutelage of his grandfather John and could have a great future ahead of him in the sport. Likewise Angelina, who has shown massive improvement in her short time at the club.
Seventeen entries were originally received, however two did not make an appearance. Bernie Gillespie and his best mate Raymond Jarratt both declined to race, Gillespie because of work commitments and Jarratt due to tiredness. His excuse was that he had ridden 322 km the day before and, if that wasn't enough, he did a 60 km training ride on Sunday morning. About 13 hours in all. Surely at 59 and working as a postman for the past 42 years, he would be sick of riding his "deadly treadly". But no, he is as keen as ever.
Sunday's race will again be over the Mt Gwynne course, as it is considered safer. Cost is $10 entry and prize money will be paid. Start on the Back Barooga Rd at 10 am.
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