This was the showpiece race of the day, and it delivered. Curtis Dowdell (Norwood CC) put in one of the most controlled performances you'll see, winning in 2:33:23 with lap times that barely wavered from 21:38 all the way to the finish. That kind of consistency over seven gravel laps is genuinely impressive — it's earned through miles and miles of training, and it showed every lap.

Matthew Bird and Griffin Knight put up a terrific fight for 2nd and 3rd — Bird's consistency was remarkable, and Knight's final lap of 23:15 was his best showing of the second half. The minor podium was genuinely contested right to the line, with only 16 seconds separating them.

Further back, Matthew McIntyre (MOOD Racing) delivered a strong and measured ride to 6th, with Oliver Izzard (AusCycling SA) and Tom Worthley (Norwood CC) close behind in 7th and 8th.

Bek Gratton rode a composed and progressive race, finishing as the top women's rider overall. Laura Tomlinson's even pacing across all seven laps was a masterclass in knowing your own limits — that's a skill that compounds over time.

Reed Sandstrom showed what she's capable of with a stunning opening lap of 24:42 — the fastest women's lap of the entire Long Boiii field. With that kind of engine and the experience of today's full seven laps behind her, there's a big result ahead.

Holly Chance (Norwood CC) showed real promise before her DNF. Everyone who made it to the start line and turned the pedals should be proud of getting out on the course — it was a long day in the saddle.

Archie Winter was outstanding from start to finish. Seven laps, barely a variance in pace, with his best split of 22:39 arriving on lap 3 — he was the class of the junior field and his consistency over a full seven-lap race is genuinely exciting to see from a young rider.

Josiah Zaplatynskyj had a testing moment mid-race but showed real resilience to push through and claim 3rd place. That grit under pressure is exactly the kind of thing that makes a rider better — finishing on the podium after a tough patch is something to be proud of.

A huge shout-out to Monika Seibert (South Coast Cycling Club) who was running a brilliant women's race through five laps — her times were actually getting faster as the race wore on. Keep at it, Monika — that form is there.

The drama race of the day. Harry Williams (MOOD Racing) took the win in 2:05:19, but he earned every single second of it. Jack Davis (Adelaide Cycling Club) led out of the blocks and was never far away — the two traded positions through the opening laps in a race that could have gone either way.

Kayla McSporran put in arguably the most metronomic ride of the entire event. Five laps ranging only 29 seconds from fastest to slowest — that kind of even-pace racing shows real tactical maturity and excellent fitness. She was the standout women's performer of the day.

Anna Kubilius rode a strong race in 2nd, getting better as the laps wore on with her best effort coming in the back half. Jenny MacPherson (Port Adelaide CC) and Julie Shaw (AMBC) also completed all five laps to great credit.

An absolute cracker. Troy Bryant (Port Adelaide CC) and Michael Gates (Norwood CC) were inseparable — they crossed the line in a dead heat, both clocking 1:20:43 after three laps of gravel. Their individual lap splits were near-identical too, suggesting they were side by side for much of the race. Racing doesn't get more exciting than that.

Ally Sinclair deserves a special mention — her final lap of 26:14 was not only the fastest women's lap in the Short Course, it was faster than the men's winner's final lap. Finishing 3rd overall on the road while saving her best for last is the mark of a very smart racer.

Ted Wyeld (Norwood CC) rode well for 4th overall, with David Knight (Adelaide MTB Club) and Adam Hughes (Port Adelaide CC) completing a competitive top 6. Emily Barrett was the leading women finisher with a strong consistent ride.

Louis Gates rode a composed and confident race to take the Hot Chocolate win, with improving lap splits showing he was in control throughout. Charlotte Marold put in a gutsy performance for 2nd overall — her fastest lap came on the final lap, a great sign of fitness and race awareness from a young rider.

The recreational ride saw a great field take on the 39km course. Simon Gamble and David Talbot finished just 21 seconds apart after a full lap out on the gravel — a fantastic effort. Philippa Gower was the leading women's rider. Every single finisher in this category should be proud of getting out and putting in the kilometres — that's what it's all about.