Unlike last week's 'Slog in the Fog', a moderate NW wind made for interesting racing on the Golf Course Loop for the 13 EMCC riders.
Aiming for back-to-back wins, Ray Hamilton set off on limit with Dave Oman and Jerrod Davison (welcome back Jerrod) at 15 minutes.
Our all-girl group of Kaz Griffiths, Mel Smolenaars and Claire Goodman would need to perform as a three-piece at 24 minutes.
John Brian and Simon Hall were at 27 minutes, followed at 30 by Cam Smith, Troy Griffiths and Matt Grealy and our scratch group of Nick Woods and George Griffiths at 33.
The action was happening in the middle groups as Cam, Matt and Troy caught John and Simon at a frenetic pace after one lap.
By the time they caught the all-female group, Claire and Mel were stretching Kaz, while Simon was feeling the pace as the hunt continued.
Cam found himself under pressure, but held John Brian's wheel back to the bunch.
Next in their sights were Jerrod and then Dave Oman as they flew around the course.
In scratch, George was having issues with a head-stem that kept trying to veer him off the road.
After stopping to reassure companion Nick that 'it's me, not you' and that he really did want to ride with him, they regrouped, but might've lost too much time.
Into the final corner, it was Ray out front with the pack closing fast down wind, so fast that our lead vehicle had to accelerate to get out of the way.
In the sprint to the line, it was Cam Smith who took the chocolates in first, followed by Matt Grealy in a ripping ride for second, with John Brian in 3rd.
1st - Cam Smith (and fastest time)
2nd - Matt Grealy
3rd - John Brian
4th - Ray Hamilton
5th - Troy Griffiths
1st female - Mel Smolenaars
Thanks to our race director H and handicapper Cam as well as marshals Joel Pike, Laurie Grealy and Glenn Hall with his cool vintage car.
We'll see you for round three of the Lorraine and Ivan Collings series in two weeks.
See you out on the road.
7°C