The quartet finished the 30 kilometre team scratch event in a time of 58:35, four seconds ahead of runners-up of Geoff Marsh, Vicki Nicholson and Rachael Palfreyman.

Both teams finished with the same time, but the winners were subtracted four seconds, as two of their riders had Christmas decorations, which warranted two seconds time bonus for each rider.

Twenty-three riders competed in the event, including six competitors from Cloncurry, which saw the athletes broken into six teams,

Each team consisted of one A grade, a B grade rider and two C grade riders, with the entire team having to complete the first loop together or face disqualification with the A and B team members riding on together.  

The B grade rider could then drop off at 22.5km, at the second turn for home.

By the top of the rise en route to George Fisher mine, Marsh, Nicholson and Palfreyman had pulled away from their opponents.

With the wind blowing in the riders’ favour on the return 7.5km of the first loop, C graders were inspired to pedal strongly to put their teams in a better position.  

As C Grade riders completed their contribution at the end of the first 15km loop, it was then time for the A and B members to put the pressure on the pedals.

At the head of the field, Marsh and Nicholson powered on into the second lap with Palfreyman having made her contribution count.  

This pair seemed invincible as a strong team, with Nicholson staying on to help Marsh in the second return journey.

But behind them duo Pickering and Rowland enjoyed the power of two riders and caught up with the frontrunners, leaving a sprint to sort out line honours.

Crossing the line first was Nicholson in a time of 58:38 and Melanie Rowland in second (same time). 

However, time bonuses for decorations had to be factored in and Rowland’s team surged ahead with a four second time bonus for two decorated riders, edging their time ahead of the on the road winners to record 58:35.

Third place was awarded to a solo Les Rayner on behalf of his team.  

With four seconds taken off for two riders in the Christmas spirit, the team time was 1:00:58.  

Next to cross were David Ericson, Kate Busch, Tammy Green and Freda Pyke, along with Simon Pope, Clayton Green,  Merran Cowper in 1:03:02.

But Clayton Green’s elf hat scored double points for an outstanding effort that gave his team the edge.  

Sixth were Brett Oates, Linda French, Allan Wood and Eloise Kippus, recording an adjusted time for Christmas lights on Linda French’s bike of 1:05:07.

Racing is now adjourned for the year, with the first of the three race Thirty Series being scheduled for Sunday, 18 January 2015.

Club members will keep their fitness up with community rides from BP Marian Street at 7 am on Saturdays and from Turanga Shopping Centre on Sundays at 7 am.  

Email the club at coppercitycycingclub@gmail.com for further information.