Club Races
Prins Wins Christmas Handicap
Fyans Creek, Sunday 14th December 2008

	Sean Prins

In a display of awesome power, Grampians Vets rider Sean Prins broke clear in the final straight to claim victory in last Sundays 44km Pat and Leon Gibson Handicap, held from Fyans Creek Road, near Halls Gap.

Prins, riding from the 5 minute mark along with Peter Mayo and Harvey Lang, was quickly reeled in by the flying 3 minute 45 second riders Tony Lloyd, Peter Parnaby and Stuart King.

This combined group then continued the charge and soon afterwards overtook the 7 minute riders Meg Parnaby, Les Power and Tania Walter at about the half way point, picking up Walter as they went past.

This large bunch of riders then combined to work the hard final section of the race, into a strong southerly wind. With 10km to go they overtook the 10 minute limit riders, Shauna Heard, Frank Stokes and Trevor McDonald and set out for the finish.

Further back, 1 minute 45 second riders Leon Gibson, Alan Barnett and Drew Heard struggled after Heard retired with a mechanical problem, and were caught by scratch riders Tim Schneider, Frank Kean, Jamie Bennett and Dean Hayward. Although this group combined extremely well, they were still 500 metres short of the leading bunch with 2km to go.

Entering the final straight, with 1000m to travel, Prins made his move and broke clear of the 2leading bunch. At first the other riders did not chase, thinking he could not possibly maintain his speed into a head wind for that distance. However, Prins showed an unbelievable strength and stamina, and held off all challenges to cross the line 15 metres ahead of Stuart King, with Peter Parnaby close behind in third, just ahead of Peter Mayo.

The scratch riders were not far behind, with Frank Kean claiming fastest race time of 1 hour 10 minutes.

Being the last race of the year, the annual awards were presented after the race. Both Meg Parnaby and Leon Gibson were awarded joint Rider of the Year, as both had had such great years, winning a long list of medals at the Australian, Victorian and South Pacific Championships.

Peter Mayo was awarded the Most Improved Rider for his efforts over the year, while Meg Parnaby won the Aggregate ahead of Leon Gibson.