Ideal weather was the order of the day for Orana Vets cyclists who raced over the short 26km North Geurie course on Saturday.

Twenty four competitors turned out for the event with six ladies again racing with the club.

The hilly course took its toll from the start with groups beginning to splinter on the first hill.

In the chopping block group of Stuart Lobsey, Max Newton, Keith Harris, Jeff Sargent and Michael Ticehurst, Lobsey and Ticehurst were tireless in their efforts to keep scratchies away.

The 6.45m bunch rode well together, staying away from the groups behind until half way back.

They then hung on until the final hill, where limit stormed past them on their quest to get to the line first.

Mark Meredith is revelling in the racing, hanging on to finish with the lead bunch after being caught earlier. However it was a day for the scratch bunch again, with Nathan Dennis, Scott Stevenson and Simon Ross doing a power of work to catch the rest of the field.

As chopping block went over the last hill, the scratch bunch was surging up the other side, and then with the finish line in sight, Simon Ross led scratch down to make the catch.

It then became a time keeper's nightmare as the majority of the field flashed across the line practically together.

Nathan Dennis took home the Darrell Wheeler Cycle Shop voucher for his first place, with Max Newton coming in second for an Eagle Boys Voucher while Nigel Christmas filled third spot.

Laurie Caton is going from strength to strength being able to stay with chopping block when caught, then being there at the finish to take out fourth place.

However the handicapper did a very good job with only seconds between the first 10 places.

Nathan Dennis took fastest time of 41.58 for the course, giving him and his group an average of 37.2km/h.

Placings and actual times for the course are as follow: Nathan Dennis 41.58, Max Newton 45.28, Nigel Christmas 41.58, Laurie Caton 46.58, Keith Harris 45.28, Scott Stevenson, Simon Ross 42.00, Jeff Sargent, Michael Ticehurst 45.30, Mark Meredith 50.19, Stuart Lobsey 45.34, Stephen Hoynes, Dana Harris, Luke Beange, Liz Meredith 50.44, Kate Fewtrell 57.50, Alex Russell 47.55, Raphael Chapman , Evan Elliott, Amber Carter 49.34, Duncan Payne 53.07, Kathy Furney 60.58, Ali Wilton 61.10, Steve Munn 51.30.

After three weeks of racing Scott Stevenson is at the top of the winter competition, just one point ahead of Laurie Caton, with John O'Brien, Stephen Hoynes and Liz Meredith rounding out the top five. Racing will return to the Burraway Road at Brocklehurst next Saturday. Riders are reminded they must register at least 10 minutes before start time which is 2.30pm.

Don't forget you can get in some training at No.1 Oval on a Wednesday night with Orana Vets.