MATTHIAS Kiernan describes road racing as a “recreational” cycling.
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“It’s a lot of fun.”
The newcomer to the sport sees track riding as the more competitive.
His laid back approach did not stop him defying a charging bunch to take out the Fred Icke Handicap at Creswick on Saturday.
In his first road race, the 26-year-old university student made full use of his 36-minute outmark in the 133km event.
He out-sprinted Chris Joustra (36min), while James Rendall (3min) led home the main bunch 14 seconds back.
Kiernan and Joustra had the Ballarat Sebastopol Cycling Club event to themelves for the last 120km.
Kiernan, who is a Brunswick Cycling Club member, said with the pack closing, he made what would be the winning move shortly after riding in Creswick for the last time – shaking off Joustra and at the same time keeping the race favourites at bay.
Kiernan only started competitive racing on the track about 10 months ago – urged by friends to take up the sport based on the speed and strength he showed when out riding recreationally.
Kiernan said the win had taken him completely by surprise.
His prime objective had been finish with the scratchmarkers.
“They didn’t catch us.
“I was feeling good.”
While Kiernan took three hours, 32 minutes, 25 seconds, fourth-placed Sam Crome (Bendigo) set a new course record.
His time of 2:56.39 broke Alex Morgan’s 2:58.46 set last year in winning the race.
Miranda Griffiths (St Kilda) was the first female across the line, while Blackburn’s Alistair Donohue won the under-19 category in finishing fifth overall.
TOP 10
Matthias Kiernan (Brunswick) 36min; Chris Joustra (Latrobe City) 36min; James Rendall (Carnegie Caulfield) 3min; Sam Crone (Bendigo) scr; Alistair Donohue (Blackburn) 6min; Thomas Hamilton (Ararat) scr; Ron Purtle (Leongatha) 6min; Liam White (Ballarat-Sebastopol) 6min; Matthew Ross (Carnegie Caulfield) 6min; Edward Powell (Melbourne Uni) 3min
FASTEST TIME
Sam Crome 2:56.39
WOMEN
Miranda Griffith (St Kilda) 12min; Shannon Malseed (Portland) 24min; Francesca Wellington (Blackburn) 36min
UNDER-19
Alistair Donohue
BEST BALLARAT (outside top 10)
Williams Geor 12min