Cyclesport Victoria

Greg Henderson and State Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell

New Zealander Greg Henderson’s class shone through in winning the third annual Scotty’s Race yesterday.

Henderson, whose appearance at this year’s event was only confirmed this week, used all his experience and nous to shake off a field of up-and-coming Australian stars.

The 33-year-old was in the lead pack all day and easily out-sprinted his rivals to finish ahead of Aaron Donnelly and Casey Munro in 2.58:19.

“I knew if it came to a sprint it would be no problem, but I had to make sure I got myself there in good enough condition,” Henderson said moments after the race.

“I tested the legs a couple of times and, because it was so hot and windy, it wasn’t much fun out on your own, so it was easier to roll with the six other guys and finish them off in the sprint.”

Defending champion Zak Dempster was never seriously in contention and ultimately finished more than five minutes behind Henderson in 36th spot overall.

The lead pack dwindled from as many as 40 riders early to only seven with 20 km to go.

Henderson is based in Spain for up to nine months a year due to racing commitments, but bases himself in Melbourne with his wife, Australian Olympic medallist Katie Mactier, in the off-season.

He has competed in all of the major races around the world bar the Tour de France and boasts a stage win in the prestigious Volta a Catalunya in Spain.

Henderson narrowly missed out on making his Tour de France debut this year, but is confident of gaining a start next year.

“It would be great (to ride in the Tour de France) – I was left out last year,” he said.

“There were a few politics and what not involved, but that’s bike racing.”

Henderson competed against the late Scott Peoples in the Tour of Southland in his home country three years ago and was saddened to hear of the young rider’s fate.

“I raced the Tour of Southland, my home race, with him and he was a great guy and a very talented athlete,” he said.

“It was such a shame and such a great loss.

“We were away last year, so I said to Katie that we had to do it this year.”

Jenny MacPherson capped a successful racing weekend when she claimed victory in the women’s Scotty’s Race yesterday.

The former Australian Institute of Sport scholarship-holder also won the women’s Scotty’s Criterium on Saturday ahead of the National Road Cycling Championships next month.

Carlee Taylor and defending champion Peta Mullens finished second and third, respectively, in the women’s road race, while Mullens and Chloe McConville filled the minor placings in the criterium.

MacPherson worked her way into the road race against the C and D-grade men and ultimately finished with the leading group in an impressive showing.

The 32-year-old said the flat 75 km course suited her racing style.

“I’m definitely a fan of the flat racing,” MacPherson said.

“I raced in the Tour of Bright last week and got absolutely smashed, so it’s nice to get some revenge today.”

MacPherson raced overseas with both the AIS and Austrian professional team Elkhaus for a number of years, but enjoys being able to take the sport less seriously these days.

“I enjoy it a lot more now and there’s no pressure. I’m not trying to prove myself to anybody,” she said.

“It’s just fun to still race with the girls and teach them a thing or two.”

MacPherson was always in the mix in her favoured criterium discipline and signalled her intentions early when she took out the intermediate sprint.

Rosie McCall and Felicity Wilson tried to shake off their opponents in the opening laps after the 30-minute time period before Kendelle Hodges and Rebecca Domange took up the running.

But MacPherson had them all covered and cruised to the finish line with time to deliver a victory salute.

She credited her Carnegie-Caulfield teammates with helping put her in a winning position.

“They called five laps to go and my team got organised and stayed on the front with four to go and tried to keep the pace high for the (final) sprint,” MacPherson said.

MacPherson said she would be back next year to defend both titles.

Report & Photos courtesy The Shepparton News, www.sheppnews.com.au.  Report - Marc McGowan.  Photos Bethanie Sessions / Simon Bingham