The course was debuted at the Haycarters earlier this year and starts and finishes on Old Temora Road.

Jesse Coyle, riding for the Sydney Uni Velo Club, was not only first across the line but also claimed fastest time finishing the race in 2:40:11; impressive given the windy conditions and an average speed of 40 km/h over the 115km distance.   

He rode the Annual last year also and chose to return this year in preparation for a National Road Series event in Wangaratta this coming weekend.

Starting from scratch, the bunch caught all ahead relatively easily.

From there, Jesse said he and three other riders attacked successfully making a break. 

With 2km to go, Jesse did not want to be in a sprint across the line and accelerated away from the other riders. 

His plan worked as no-one hung on with him and he was able to cross the finish line alone. 

The new course presents its challenges including about 25km of low gradient climbing towards the finish line, putting cyclists to the test. 

Jesse commented that the course is “quite technical” with some areas being narrower than he is used to. 

Jesse came to Cootamundra with his eyes on the winners jersey and accompanying prizemoney cheque. 

He had good recent form on the board and knew he was in with a chance if he rode well. 

The talented rider is relatively new to cycling, having only picked it up two years ago after a background in rowing. 

He currently rides full-time after graduating uni last year. 

Jesse says he will be back next year. 

Meanwhile, first junior (under 19s) across the line was the Illawarra Cycle Club’s Mitchell Wright.

He recently won four gold medals in a track cycling event and said the Cootamundra Annual provided good training for the Junior Worlds in a month’s time. 

First local home, and the only one to compete from the Cootamundra Cycle Club, was Brent Louttit while Marissa Madden, a teammate of Jesse’s from the Sydney Uni Velo Club, was first female. 

Sunday’s 57km recovery race was won by Hunter rider Ben Cross with Ben Harvey of the St George Club nabbing the fastest time; 1:18:11.

Conditions were ideal on the Sunday with little to no wind. 

David Moore was the first local home on the Sunday. 

With 111 starters on Saturday and 99 on Sunday, the cycling event brought plenty of people to town.