The Comox Valley Cycling Club held their first road race of the season May 4 on the Tsolum River course. The race included an 82.88km course for A Grade riders, a 62.16km course for B Grade riders and a 41.44km course for C Grade.
After a wet start to the day, the rain eased and the race was enjoyed by a number of spectators and volunteers.
Competitors included riders from the Victoria Wheelers and Pro City Cycles teams, as well as the Nanaimo club MIVA, junior cycling team VIPYRS, Trail Bicycles team and local CVCC members.
The A Grade race was dominated by two Victoria Wheelers, Steven Grandy and Mike Dawson, who attacked from the start and developed a gap from the main group. They held their lead for the entire race, only to be caught by the bunch at the finish line and overtaken by MIVA rider Nick Kupriak.
In the B Grade race, Trail Bikes rider Gillian Ellsay put the pressure on early, up the climb, causing a split in the pack. The front group stayed together until the finish with local rider Derek Vinge taking the win over VIPYRS junior Mark Grant who took second. Ellsay finished third.
Only one cyclist competed in the C Grade race. Cheryl Morch began the race with the Bs and maintained a good pace before pulling off at the end of her final lap.
The CVCC's Time Trial Series continues this Thursday at 6 p.m. on the Headquarters Road course.
Meanwhile, the local club held their third Time Trial of the season May 1 on the Forbidden Plateau course. Some members of the Comox Valley Triathlon Club participated after a new agreement has been made between the two clubs.
Doug Merrick topped the time trail in 0:19.04 followed by Jeff Mattell 0:19.10, Derek Vinge 0:19.43, Derek Tripp 0:19.53, Clay Ward 0:20.04, Mort Allingham 0:20.43, Gillian Ellsay 0:20.55, Gavin MacPhail 0:21.14, Craig Carter 0:22.13, Kia Van der Vliet 0:23.11, Chris Bowman 0:23.39 and Marnie Van der Vliet 0:28.32.
– Comox Valley Cycle Club