Peter was a cyclist and triathlete tragically killed in mysterious circumstances on the Cloncurry Road seven years ago.  

This hilly handicap is notoriously difficult for the peloton as the club rarely has opportunity to race on this type of terrain due to the traffic of trains and caravans on this national highway.

Slightly warmer conditions greeted the thirteen riders who signed up at the Cloncurry start for the 56km route through to Driver Reviver. 

Frank Long and Tony Sweeney led the race off on scratch, followed five minutes later by Merran Cowper and Linda French. 

A third group ranked three riders together in Luke Scard, David Atkinson and Mace Bennett set off on nine minutes. 

Finally the A graders were ready to depart with the first duo of Matthys Labauchagne and Doug Humpheys leaving on 13 minutes. 

The defending champion John Braithwaite took Mick Palmer with him as 16 minutes ticked over. 

The final riders to leave were Leon Bennett and Mark Thinee who left 20 minutes after the first riders away.

With such a reduced field, the large gaps between the groups made for diligent driving by the members of each group to draw back in the advantage of their rivals. 

It wasn’t until 15km before the finish that group three of Atkinson, Scard and Bennett bridged the gap to the women riders Cowper and French. 

Once caught they commenced work to rein in the front runners of Long and Sweeney. 

The catch took place just before the last 10km section of the course – the most difficult of the entire race with some significant climbing and most of the road barely dipping to give relief. 

Sweeney immediately went out the back but Long hung on for 5km before conceding defeat and drifting off.

Mace Bennett soon found the going difficult and left the group followed by French leaving a trio clawing their way towards to finish. 

Cowper valiantly put a little surge in a gapped her rivals momentarily, until Scard bridged over and attacked himself. 

The effect was that Cowper had nothing left to respond and Atkinson and Scard swung over the last hill together.

With the finish line in sight, Atkinson put a full effort in and crossed the line lungs heaving in a ride time of 1:44:44. 

Scard was second and Labauschagne had passed through other riders to take third. 

Fast ride time of the day went to Leon Bennett clocking 1:38:51.

In C grade, Kiri Bunker opted for the hilly last section of the course to ride 26 km. 

A good ride she clocked just over an hour.

Next official race is the Andy Steffan 60km Handicap to be ridden on an out and back course on the Dajarra Road on Sunday May 22. 

There is a 30km option for C Grade.

Check details on the club Facebook page – Copper City Cycling Club Mount Isa for upcoming training rides.

For all enquiries please email coppercitycyclingclub@gmail.com.