Narrow win for first Warrnambool rider home

The 42-year-old Warrnambool resident narrowly took out the first Warrnambool rider classification and said he thought he would go out “on a high”. 

Jones was one of four riders eligible for the classification, he narrowly beat Ricky Smedts by one place, completing the arduous trek in seven hours and 27 seconds. 

Mark Scouller was the third Warrnambool rider home, 26 minutes and 31 seconds behind Jones and Smedts while Justin Vincent withdrew from the race. 

Jones, a Port Fairy Cycling Club member, said having ridden in the Camperdown to Warrnambool veterans race four times, he decided to have a crack at the Melbourne to Warrnambool. 

“As a local cyclist, you always have aspirations of doing it,” he said. 

“I’d had a pretty consistent year so I thought why not. I’ve completely exceeded my expectations though.”

Jones finished with a mass bunch in 73rd place, six seconds behind overall winner Oliver Kent-Spark. 

“I’m absolutely stoked with how I went. It was a lot more intense than I thought it would be,” he said. 

“It was pretty quiet until we hit Camperdown, then there were attacks all over the place. I managed to hold on and stay with the bunch. 

“It’s nice to come away with first Warrnambool rider. I didn’t go out with winning it in mind, but when I was with the bunch towards the finish I thought I’m going to give this a go.” 

Riders eligible for the first Warrnambool rider classification have to either be a member of the Warrnambool or Warrnambool veteran cycling clubs or have their racing license registered to a Warrnambool address.

Nine south-west riders raced this year. Camperdown’s Dylan Hately, Mortlake’s Darcy Woolley, Jones and Smedts all finished with the main bunch, six seconds behind the winner in 35th, 45th, 72nd and 73rd place respectively. 

Portland’s Dylan Lindsey was 127th (+17.52) Mark Scouller was 151st (+26.30). Hamilton’s Mark McLaren and Camperdown’s Todd Baxter didn’t finish.