Marsh’s time of 40mins 28secs for the 20km course was enough to win the final road race of the season.

Lyn Roughan and Vicki Nicholson finished second and third respectively 10 seconds adrift from Marsh, with Craig Nicholson taking fourth 23 seconds further away.

The 20km hard slog saw the 18 riders start off staggered times depending on their grades, ability and success throughout the season.

Marsh was the first to start her assault, three minutes ahead of trio Samara Rogan, John Wood and Michelle Lee three minutes back.

Quartet Lyn Roughan, Jason Ahearn, Tammy Green and under 15s rider Brayden Nicholson left after four-and-a-half minutes had passed.

Brayden’s father Craig and Tony Sweeney were next after five-and-a-half minutes, with Vicki Nicholson, Linda French and Alice Eason on six minutes.

The last to start were Geoff Marsh, Jim Lillecrapp, Philip Vandeplassche and Ron Pickering off nine minutes and Rory French and John Braithwaite after 11 minutes.

The high pace required took its toll on the groups, seeing Sam Rogan drop off Lee and Wood about 8km into the race, while Green and Brayden Nicholson weren’t able to keep pace with Roughan and Ahearn.

Back in the field, the three women of French, Nicholson and Eason caught Sweeney and Craig Nicholson and picked up the latter into their group, as the back markers tirelessly worked to catch the pace setters.

The pace stepped up into the high 30s for the B graders and even higher for the back markers, as all riders closed in on home.

Craig Nicholson paced his wife Vicki to catch Roughan, and as they crossed the Spear Creek Bridge, Vicki  tried to surge past Roughan but she managed to stay on the pace.

With all the action happening behind her, Marsh pedalled to the solo victory, ahead of Nicholson and Roughan.

The best ride of the day went to Rory French, who completed the 20km course in 31mins 46secs.

The Forty Series is a competition of three races over 40km and will start on October 12 at the airport start. 

 It aims to entice new members and to help Isa Rats members in preparation for their Noosa Olympic Distance triathlon. 

Email the club for further details – coppercitycyclingclub@gmail.com.