Club Races
Prins Wins Battle of the Titans
Noradjuha and return Handicap
Sunday 20th June 2010

With the whole field involved in a closely fought finish, it came down to a battle of the titans, with powerhouse Sean Prins getting the better of Drew Heard to take out the Grampians Vets 40km Noradjuha handicap.

Early morning showers kept some riders away, but the weather had settled to fine and mild conditions by the time the race started.

Riding off 8 and a half minutes, limit riders Meg Parnaby, Tom Eldridge and Damian Rabl encountered a light but steady head wind on the leg from Horsham to Noradjuha, just enough to make the going more difficult.

At the turning point at Noradjuha, they still held a 2 minute advantage over the 2 and a half minute riders Daryl Elliott, Peter Parnaby, Alan Barnett and Gerard O’Brien.

However, not far behind, the scratch riders Drew Heard, Sean Prins and Chris Scott were closing in fast, with all three bunches coming together over the last of the hills, with about 8 kilometres to go.

With one kilometre to go, Chris Scott took the roll of lead out man, lifting the pace considerably. On his wheel, Peter Parnaby decided his best chance of beating the stronger riders was to go slightly early, try and get a break, then hang on. It almost worked, but he faded just short of the line, with powerhouses Sean Prins and Drew Heard blasting past in the final few metres to take out first and second, closely followed by Gerard O’Brien in third place.

Click to enlarge

From left to right - Sean Prins, Drew Heard and Gerard O'Brien

Sean Prins also recorded the fastest time of the day.