Victorian and South Pacific Veteran 07 Championships - Maryborough, Easter weekend

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Tania in action

Grampians Veteran Cycling Club riders Tania Walter and Meg Parnaby both won Victorian and South Pacific Veteran Cycling titles at Maryborough over the 4 day Easter break, with Tania successfully defending her titles gained last year.

With both titles rolled into the one race this year, Tania was nervous before the start. However she and Hume rider Dianne Condie broke away early in their 35-39 age group race.

Despite repeated attacks from both riders, they remained together for most of the race, until Tania managed to gain a 40m lead up one of the final hills.

However, the hard work was lost again when she had to slow at a round-about 1km from the finish, because the lead car was stopped by police, so the race came down to the final sprint. Tania waited her chance, then came from behind down the final straight, overpowering Condie to win by a clear margin.

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	Meg Parnaby put in a gritty effort in the time trial

In the 50-54 year age category, Meg Parnaby also contested Fridays 45km road race, to be beaten on the line into 4th place by the width of a tyre.

This, however, only fuelled her determination to succeed in the time trial the next day.

The 15km time trial course was an out and back affair. Meg road a very intelligent race, going out hard to take advantage of the mostly down hill first leg, but keeping something in reserve for the return uphill climb.

Being a strong tenacious rider, the light headwind home worked in her favour, and she crossed the line a clear margin of 11 seconds ahead of her nearest rival.