Cyclesport Victoria

New Zealand cyclist Brett Tivers has taken his first major win in Australia by claiming the 99th Melbourne to Ballarat on Saturday.

Supported by the City of Ballarat and Tourism Victoria, a record field of 237 entries was received for the 96km handicap which boasted a prize purse of $10,000. 

Tivers, who currently rides with Carnegie Caulfield CC, rode off scratch and took line honours from James Mowatt (MTBA/3mins) in a sprint to the line.  Fellow scratch rider, and recently signed ProTour team Columbia-HTC team member, Leigh Howard (Geelong CC) in third.

Tivers clocked two hours, 20 minutes, 31 seconds in moderately windy conditions.

His elation after finally claiming outright honours in a Victorian open was evident with the 27-year-old screaming loudly as he crossed the finish line in front of a strong crowd.  Tivers also finished runner up at last weekend's Victorian 100km Championships.  

Hawthorn's Jonathon Lovelock was the first in the race to attack at the line, after riding away from the lead group late in the race.  However, he could not hold off Tivers and finished fourth.

In other categories, Nicole Whitburn (Carnegie Caulfield CC) was the first female to finish, whilst James Stokie (Geelong CC) claimed the masters division.

Ballarat Sebastopol CC members filled three places in the top 10, with Jay Bourke the first hometown rider across the line in sixth position. Damien Turner was seventh, with 18-year-old Rhys Gillett ninth.

Photos courtesy: Rick Robson - www.cyclesportphotos.com & Charmion Phillips - www.aeonphoto.com.au