The 19-year-old Carnegie-Caulfield rider, who is staying with Camperdown cyclist Xavier Gstrein, started from third scratch in the 16-kilometre duel.

While Fryer was fresh to the course, he settled into the rhythm of the race seamlessly.

“The Gstreins drove me around the course about half-an-hour before the race,” he told The Standard last night.

“I know my sprint is pretty good so I memorised where I would have to kick from.

“I can’t thank the Gstreins enough.”

With a handicap of two-and-a-half minutes, Fryer’s third-scratch bunch caught the four groups ahead, before a pack of 15 pushed to the Camperdown Saleyards.

Fryer was one of four leading riders who made a dash for the finish line.

“We had a cross-wind for the last kilometre and a half,” he said.

“I just tried to keep calm and keep my heart rate down.”

The victorious visitor swept across the line with a time of 22 minutes and 17 seconds, half a wheel ahead of Ryan Brodie, of Warrnambool, who has contested every Saul Pasque memorial.

Geelong’s Nick Kennedy was third, while Mortlake’s Darcy Woolley recorded the fastest time of 21.27. About 70 riders contested the event.

Fryer, who returned from a six-month riding tour in Belgium last month, said he used yesterday’s Camperdown Cycling Club race as a gentle introduction to the new year.

“I’ve had a bit of a break so this was my first race back,” he said.

“I thought I’d come down, have a go and have a bit of fun. It was worth the trip.”

Fryer has been working on his strength and fitness with Melbourne-based coach Hilton Clarke and credited him for the win.

The teenager has already promised to defend his title in honour of Pasque, who was killed after being hit by a car on a training ride near Geelong on January 18, 2005.

“It was an honour to win such a prestigious race,” Fryer said. “From everything I’ve heard about Saul, he was an amazing bloke.

“So many people turn out to ride for him and I will be back every year from now on. I wish I’d known him.”