The fight for the golden pineapple comes to an end!

The final round of the 2020 KOM Financial Advice Queensland Classic Road Series saw 250 riders on their final quest for the golden pineapple, on a lumpy course hosted by the Darren Smith Classic at Hinze Dam on the Gold Coast.

The Division 1 race saw 79 riders from Elite Men A, Elite Men B, Masters Men A roll off together to take on 7 climbs over the 110 km road course.

Rhys Robotham (Balmoral CC / Futuro Pro Cycling) and Ryan Thomas (Brisbane CC / ARA Pro Racing Sunshine Coast) were ever present on the climbs. With Robotham crossing the top of five of the seven climbs, securing a lead in the Hill Climb Championship with 16 points, followed by Thomas on 10 points, and Troy Herfoss on 4 points.

The main peloton broke up into several groups, with the lead bunch consisting of 14 rides. Four riders Ben Carman (Logan City CC / Nero Continental), Kane Richards (Gold Coast CC / Avantias Pro Racing), Angus Lyons (Ballarat / Sebastopol CC / Oliver’s Real Food Racing) and Bailey Walters (Fraser Coast CC / Memil Pro Racing) broke away from the lead bunch securing a 28 second lead to compete for their position on the podium. Carman took the top step, whilst Richards, and Lyons joined in second and third positions.

Elite Men C, Women A, and Women B comprised of Division 2, taking on the 73 km road race with 4 climbs.

Competition on the climbs was strong, with Lifecycle Cycling Club’s Chris Miller (MOB Racing), and Brisbane Cycling Club’s John Hatfield vying to be first over the crest. At the end of the day, only one point separated Hatfield and Miller, with Miller collecting the maximum points, with Hatfield receiving 8 points, and Bree Wilson (Gold Coast CC / Roxsolt Attauer) on 6 points.

A breakaway group of 12 riders formed, with Philipp Joebges (Lifecycle / MOB Racing) gaining a one second lead to cross the finish line for a Division 1 win. Danielle De Francesco (Gold Coast CC) was the first A Grade Woman across the line placing second, followed by clubmate Wilson.

U17 Men and Men Masters B made up Division 3 category, with 73 kms and 5 king of the mountain segments in their Darren Smith Classic Road Race.

U17 Men Jarlath Whittaker (Balmoral CC) and Luke Richert (Gold Coast CC) following Timothy Durkin (Brisbane CC) over the first climb. A trio formed made up of – Durkin, Noah Blannin (Gold Coast CC / S.Scapes Gold Coast), and Nathan Campbell (MOB Racing / Lifecycle) – who went on to dominate the climbs for the remainder of the race.

Durkin took the top step of the Hill Climb Championship leaderboard on an impressive collection of 12 points, Campbell (7 points), and Blannin (5 points) finished in the top three positions.

Despite Durkin’s impressive mountain top finishes, Campbell attacked creating a 50 second lead ahead of his competition to secure his victory. Ian Mitchell (University of Queensland CC) crossed the line in second position, with Ben King (Lifecycle CC) rounding the podium in third position.

Men Masters C, Men Masters D, Women C, Women D set off on their 49 km Darren Smith Road Race comprising of 3 King of the Mountain climbs.

Neil Bosson (Lifecycle CC) and Jason Kelleher (Brisbane CC) dominated the mountain climbs, securing first and second positions respectively on the Darren Smith Classic Hill Climb Championship leaderboard.

A group of 5 riders made up the lead bunch with a considerable lead ahead of the main peloton. Bosson again showed his strength, surging ahead to cross the finish line first ahead of James Bennett (University of Queensland CC) and Luke Southam (Gold Coast CC) who finished in second and third positions respectively.

AusCycling Queensland wishes to thank the hosting clubs, volunteers, officials, staff and riders who have participated in the 2020 KOM Financial Advice Queensland Classic Road Series - Balmoral Metropolitan Championships, Cunningham Classic, Hamilton Wheelers Open, and Darren Smith Classic - We look forward to 2021, to an even bigger and better series!