VVCC Road Championships 2008
Lang Lang, Sunday 29th June 2008

Congratulations to Leon Gibson and Meg Parnaby for great performances in their age group races.

Both riders distinguished themselves in the 2008 Victorian Vets Road Championships, held at Lang Lang, southeast of Melbourne.

Leon Gibson took out the 70 to 74 year age group event, and Meg Parnaby earned a silver medal in the women’s 50 plus age group race.

Both riders tackled the same tough 59km course, it’s frequent long hills well suited the strengths of both riders.

Only 10 kilometres into his race, the superbly fit Gibson found himself almost alone at the top of one of the long hills, with only Eastern rider Paul Kelly still clinging grimly to his wheel.

Both riders shared the lead for the next 30 kilometres, until Gibson decided the pace was too slow and took off for home, riding solo for the final 20 kilometres, opening up an impressive 4 minute winning margin.

Click to enlarge

Leon with his winners sash, and Meg with her silver medal

Meg Parnaby also put in a great effort to take the silver in the women's 50 plus event.

As in Gibon’s race, Parnaby and former World Masters Champion Debra Hobbs broke clear on the first hill, the other riders just not able to take the pace.

However, on the next hill Hobbs showed why she is a former World Masters Champion, breaking clear of Parnaby, leaving both riders to ride the rest of the race solo, with Hobbs coming home first, and Parnaby second, well clear of the rest of the field.