Club Races
Gibson Wins Polkemmet Handicap
Polkemmet Road, Horsham, Sunday 18th May 2008

Cold, windy conditions greeted Grampian Veteran cyclists as they tackled the tough Polkemmet Road 52km Handicap on Sunday.

	Leon Gibson

Limit marker David Cariss tried in vain to utilize his 25 minute mark, but found his solo ride in the wind a little too much and was picked up before Natimuk Lake by 15 minute markers Les Power and Meg Parnaby.

The third scratch markers of Tim Schneider, Peter Blair, Leon Gibson and Stuart King looked to be the winning bunch on paper, and were able to reel in the outmarkers on the Natimuk Cemetery Road.

On the return journey, most of the bunches were headed by a flock of sheep across the road, which led to some time delays of varying lengths.

Shortly afterwards, scratch markers Steve Monks, Gerard O’Brien, Allan Barnett and Daryl Elliott, after working extremely hard, managed to reel in 2 minute markers Tony Lloyd, Peter Parnaby, Drew Heard and Danny Monaghan, catching them with 15km to ride.

Over the final hills, this combined bunch splintered with Monks, O'Brien, Lloyd and Parnaby trying to chase down the riders in front.

However, they were unable to close the gap to third scratch, and Gibson took out the win from Schneider and King.

Monks won a photo finish sprint to take out fastest time from O’Brien.

The day produced two punctures, with Peter Blair and Daryl Elliott having to take time out along the way.