SLIPPERY roads, tumbling rain and a chilly southerly took their toll on riders contesting the 21st round of Footscray Cycling Club’s winter road season at the You Yangs at Little River on Saturday.
The in-form Dom Dudkiewicz relished the conditions to make it two wins in a row in Agrade.
There were a few probing attacks early, but the bunch always managed to bring any breaks back, with one prolonged breakaway started by Jason Costin and joined by Brett Hickford.
Dudkiewicz, James Love and Miles DaCosta managed to bridge across and form the main break of the day.
In the last 500 metres, Costin made a run for the line, only for Dudkiewicz and a return-to-form Matt Heath to overtake him in the dying metres.
In Bgrade, Gerard Wild had a dream start by winning his debut race in the grade.
Again, it was the rider with the thickest skin to withstand the wet weather and freezing winds, and Wild handled the conditions with aplomb.
“It was pretty tough in the crosswinds and every time it rained it was so cold,” he said.
It was surprisingly quiet in the bunch, with few attacks, so the race turned into one of pace and attrition.
Wild and Geelong rider Daryl Burns looked strong on a day that saw many classy riders spat out the back of the bunch.
“I don’t think anyone was game to make a move just because of the wind,” Wild said, “and I was just happy to watch and learn, being my first race.”
