The biggest races of the year for Peel District Cycling Club, the Pinjarra Classic and the State Junior Road Race Championship were run in the toughest conditions for cycling heavy rain and high wind as storm front move through on Sunday morning.
The climb to Dwellingup was significant in all grades of the classics and the under 17 mens race. In A grade, which raced two laps of the 70km circuit. The first climb saw a number of attacks, which were brought back when Travis Meyer launched a counter attack, he was joined by Theo Yates and a number of other riders in the breakaway. The pursuing bunch were stopped in there tracks by a train in North Dandulap, which made sure the breakaway was going to stay away. Over the next 100 kilometres, the breakaway slowly dwindled in number, until there were only two left. With Yates out sprinting Meyer for the victory, with Sam Smith third.
B grade saw Thomas Bruins and Alec Vukovich attack early on the climb and establish a break. There was a 6 rider group in hot pursuit at one stage, but they where pulled back by the remains of the bunch which had broken apart on the climb. In the end Bruins rode away to take a solo victory. Vukovich was second and Nicholas Lawler taking the bunch sprint for third.
A six rider break was established on the climb in C grade, which was reduced to five in the run to the line. From this group Michael Midgley sprinted to victory with Grant Eikelboom second and Peter Mills third.
In D grade it was a three rider break on the climb, which also stayed away until the end. With Shay Leary winning from Karl Wilson second and Russell Hanna third.
In the under 17 men’s State Championship Craig Wiggins and Oli Stenning established the break, with Wiggins winning the two up sprint from Stenning. With Callum Pietersen leading home five chasers for third.
All the other Junior State Championship Road Races were held on the flat part of the circuit, Towards Nambellup, while they avoided the climb, the rain and cross winds meant they were racing in challenging conditions.
In the under 17 women, Jade Haines and Jessica Lawler broke away, with Haines winning the sprint, Lawler second and Lauren Wilshusen was third.
In the under 15 men, Jordan Dawson attacked early, he was joined by Lachlan Connan. The pair established a decent lead, before Connan struck out on his own. Dawson was later joined byJulian Krohn and Luke Howe in pursuit. Connan stayed away to take the win. Dawson attacked with a kilometre to go to take second and Krohn was third.
The under 15 women’s race broke apart very quickly with individual riders spread across the course. Rihana Pezaj mastering the conditions best, to win from Cassia Boglio in second and Laura Hodges third.
The under 13 men’s race was a much tighter race, with three riders contesting the sprint which was won by Max Wilson, from Max Leiner second and James Derrick third.
The under 13 women’s race was also decided in a three way sprint with Danica Wiggins winning, from Dharlia Haines second and Emma Smith third.