A member of the Vikings Cycle Club, Collins, who sailed boats around the waters of Canberra before

continued outbreaks of blue green algae saw him switch to pedal power around four years ago, sprinted to victory in Sunday’s Stock Fair Cycle Race.

The village classic was the opening stage of this year’s Tour De Riverina after the first two legs were delayed by the flood crisis around the region.

A field of close to 100 cyclists lined up at the start of the annual event, which had been extended by around 10km to a 48km test which was made even more tortuous due to strong cross winds that buffeted the field on both the

outwards and homeward journeys.

Starting from the 7.00 minute mark, Collins’ bunch

suffered a couple of early casualties, losing four members over the opening 6km as the field made the long and

arduous climb up the hill on Dudauman Road towards the intersection of Old Temora Road where the riders turned left and headed towards Coota.

However, it was their ability to keep the chasing bunches at bay that proved the winning stroke for the 7.00 minute riders who dominated the placings at the end.

Out in front locals Ginny Tooth and Andrew Carter had been sent out as a false limit, with the race officially

starting when the 12.30 minute group, which included Coota’s Anthony Dean, hit the road.

They were followed three minutes later by a strong

second limit group led by locals Rodney Holder, Paul Deep and Gary O’Halloran, while Brendan Forsyth and Ken Clarke were among the Coota riders in the 7.00 minute bunch.

Tooth and Carter were still in front at the first sprint around 15km into the race and they still held slight a lead at the initial turnaround point, however by the time they returned to the first sprint marker the gaps were closing.

Just three minutes separated Dean’s group from that of Collins and Co, who would then pick up Holder’s bunch around Wattle Retreat.

Behind them the 4.30 minute group had failed to make much of an impression, having sliced just over 30 seconds off the gap, while the next bunch was hot on the tail just 15 seconds behind.

The elite scratch riders had gobbled up the six-man block bunch and with the field faced with a short burst back into a headwind followed by the final 9km stretch into the

crosswind, many expected the big guns would fire over the concluding stages.

It was the sight of the scratch group on their hammer that had Collins concerned.

“I competed here last year, but with the race extended that 10km no-one really knew what to expect,” Collins said.

“With two turnaround points before the long final stretch you got a look at how close the chasing bunches were and at the second turnaround we were a bit worried that scratch would get us in the end.

“The wind was pretty hairy all day with a cross wind to start, then head winds and tail winds through the middle stages and a crosswind to finish.

“We got back up the hill and pushed on towards the finish and were lucky enough to keep them away.”

Having enjoyed success in several Canberra criterions, Collins knew he had good leg speed for the sprint to the line, but didn’t really need it after Vikings teammate Brad Drew gave him a perfect lead out.

“I got on Brad’s wheel and he did a great job giving me the perfect lead,” Collins said.

Drew held on for second, some 10 metres behind, while Wagga teenager Greg Westerman out-sprinting defending Tour De Riverina Andrew Treloar (Tolland) for third.

Brendan Forsyth finished with the winning bunch to cross the line in eighth and claim first local honours, Forsyth finishing just behind former local Matt Darling who now rides out of the Canberra club.

RESULTS

1 Andrew Collins

(Vikings)

2 Brad Drew

(Vikings)

3 Greg Westerman

(Wagga)

4 Andrew Treloar

(Tolland)

5 Tim Ainge

(Canberra)

6 Troy Dench

(Wagga)

7 Matt Darling

(Canberra)

8 Brendan Forsyth

(Coota)

9 Andrew Thaller

(Vikings)

10 Charlie Westerman

(Wagga)

Fastest Time

Stuart Shaw

(Canberra) 1:09.29