Aggressive is how Pickles remembers Pasque’s style of racing.

“He never left anything out on the track,” Pickles said.

“He spent everything.

“He used to love seeing people hurt at his expense.

“I think people are keen to win this race because he was such an aggressive rider.”

The former Camperdown Cycling Club president’s willingness to push himself was highlighted by his post-race appearance.

“Whenever he raced, after the race he’d be white with sweat because of his efforts,” Pickles said.

“That was a common occurrence.”

Tonight’s race honours Pasque, who was killed after he was hit by a car while on a training ride near Geelong on January 18, 2005. He was 31.

“I was a good mate of Sauly’s,” Pickles said.

“I raced with him and trained with him.

“We both raced in Germany and he raced in Belgium as well.

“This race is a chance to celebrate his life with his family.”

The Moriac-based rider has contested every Saul Pasque Memorial despite a limited competitive schedule.

“I haven’t really competed a lot since about 1994,” he said.

“I suppose you move onto different things in your life.

“I have a family and children.

“I probably miss spending time on the bike, but I just don’t have the time to do it anymore.”

The 44-year-old does try and make time to ride to work in Geelong a couple of times a week.

“I usually get up at 5am and leave home at 5.30am,” the Powercor linesman told The Standard.

“It’s about 1½ hours.

“It’s a nice and easy ride.

“Sometimes I try and have a ride with the vets in Geelong too, but that hasn’t been very often.”

Pickles is a former Camperdown resident, with his parents and brother still residing in the town.

“This is a race I like to get home to,” he said.

“It’s good to see Saul’s family and see everybody who was friends with him.”

Pickles said the riders who competed in the annual event appreciated the kindness of Pasque’s family, which hosts a barbecue and drinks for the riders after the race.

Camperdown Cycling Club president Shane West said the 16-kilometre handicap usually attracted at least 60 riders.

“But we’ve been having 40 riders in our Thursday night races, so we’re probably looking in excess of 80 or 90,” he said.

Only licensed riders are able to compete.

West encouraged competitors to arrive early.

The race, which starts and finishes at the Camperdown saleyards, begins at 6pm.