IT was a bit of first time luck for the newest member of the Warrnambool Cycling Club, Luke Maguire.
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The Woolworths employee, who has recently moved from Toowoomba in Queensland to Warrnambool four months ago with his family, took out the club’s 100-kilometre Spring Classic race in a bunched sprint to the finish.
Maguire, who finished the course around Wangoom in two hours, 27 minutes and 52 seconds, edged out Jeff McLean and Clive Coomber on the run up to the finish line.
“It was really good, the club put on a good event and it was good to get the win,” Maguire said.
“I’ve just moved down and joined the club so first main event win for me with the club. It’s been a good social outlet when I did get to town and I’ve really enjoyed it and I decided to race today.”
Maguire said he was still adjusting to the conditions, with Warrnambool providing a windy and wet day for cyclists out in Wangoom, but he was able to bide his time and pick his moment in a tough run to the line.
“The pack I was in we were rolling good and taking turns” he said.
“It got to the end and the finish line opened up and I just gave it everything and came across the line.
“I was cramping in the last ten minutes but I was able to stretch it out and finish strong.”
He said the training he has been doing on and off the road has kept him in good condition.
“I have been doing a lot of indoor training on the bike,” he said.
“But I also join a bunch of riders and head out on the road on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.”
In the junior race Louis O’Callaghan edged out brothers Jono and Jacob Taynton in to the sprint to victory.
The younger of the brothers, Jono, was pipped on the line by O’Callaghan after he swung around the outside of the 13-year-old to claim victory.
“I was working with my brother towards the end of the race,” Jono said.
“I didn’t realise the finish line was coming up and then I saw it so I sprinted and my bets friend Louis came up behind me and just beat me on the line.”
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