What a ride from the front of the field. Marco Aurelio Panichi and Emmanuel Lentakis went shoulder to shoulder off the line, matching each other stride for stride on an opening lap of 14:56 apiece — a statement of intent from two riders in fine form. From there Marco found a rhythm that was simply relentless, ticking off lap after lap in the low-to-mid 15s and never letting the pace drop.

His 15:23 sixth lap was the fastest of anyone in the back half of the race, and it was that metronomic consistency that gradually opened daylight over the closing laps. Emmanuel raced his own race superbly to hold second, digging in through the middle laps and refusing to let the gap balloon — a gutsy, committed ride that any rider would be proud of.

A huge nod too to Dermot Nichols for lining up and being part of A Grade on the day. The top grade is the hardest place to pin a number on, and every start builds the fitness and racecraft that pays off down the track. Well ridden, all three.

Now this was a race. C Grade delivered a genuine thriller, with Joshua Dyer, Evan Hawkes, Mark Long and Dylan Gaston locked together lap after lap in a tight leading group. The times tell the story of just how close it was — barely a bike length between them through most of the race, and it all came down to who had the legs when it mattered.

Joshua timed his effort to perfection, unleashing a blistering 15:27 final lap to take the win. But keep an eye on Evan Hawkes, who threw down the fastest lap of the entire field — a scorching 14:56 — and closed with a stunning 15:19 to grab second. Mark rounded out a superb top three with a punchy 15:22 to finish, showing he was strong right to the flag.

Behind them, Dylan held firm in the mix all day, while Paige Cranage rode a beautifully consistent race, sitting right in the lead bunch for five laps before bringing it home. Nima Sedaghat and Michael Piasente both showed real character, settling into their own rhythm and pushing through every lap to the finish. Special mention to Peter Burgess and Annabelle Kelly for getting out there and taking on the challenge — showing up and pinning on a number is where every great result starts. Fantastic racing all round.

If you love a big, tightly-packed bunch, D Grade was the place to be. Fifteen riders rolled off the line and produced one of the most impressively controlled group rides of the day — lap times so close across the field that you could have thrown a blanket over the whole bunch for lap after lap. That kind of racing takes trust, teamwork and no shortage of nerve.

Michael Howson emerged with the win by the finest of margins, with Craig Schapel and Ruhi Afnan completing an ultra-close podium — the top three separated by mere seconds after nearly 57 kilometres. Vincent Pearson deserves a shout for the fastest lap of the grade, a lively 16:30 that showed there was plenty of spark in the bunch. William Robinson, Victoria Veitch and Wagner Carpi were all right there in the thick of it, any of whom could have snatched a place on another day.

Right through to Mark Briggs, Jon Gelsthorpe and Martin Shears, every rider played their part in a cracking bunch battle — and hats off to Mark Eigendorp for taking on the start. With a field this deep and this even, D Grade racing is only getting better. Bring on the next one.

Con Bastiras rode a smart, composed race to take a well-earned E Grade victory, judging the effort beautifully and staying strong through all five laps. Anthony Foundas had a terrific day out, capping his ride with a superb 17:22 final lap — one of the quickest closing splits in the grade — to secure second, with Garth Tichy right there in third after a consistent, determined ride.

Terrence Brown lit up the early running with the fastest lap of the grade, a 17:04 opener that showed real punch, and he kept pushing all the way to the line. Marc de Maaijer and Iain Whitson both rode with great heart, settling into their own tempo and pushing through every lap to complete the full distance — exactly the kind of grit that makes racing so rewarding.

Serae Borg and Andrew Coombe raced side by side almost the whole way, matching each other lap for lap in a great personal battle to the finish. And a big cheer for Bhupinder Singh and Daniel Flynn, who took on the challenge and kept turning the pedals — every lap out there is progress. Superb effort across the whole grade.

Peter Grivell set the tone early and never looked back, posting the fastest lap of the grade at 19:09 and backing it up with rock-solid consistency all the way to a deserved win. It was a masterclass in pacing — hit the front, find your rhythm, and hold it.

David Stumm chased hard throughout and saved something special for the finish, closing with a brilliant 19:10 final lap that was very nearly the fastest of the day — a real sign of strength and a great platform to build on. Mark Gilson rode a steady, committed race to take third, staying on task through every lap.

David Tichy rounded out the grade with a full five laps in the bank, digging in and completing the distance with real determination. A smaller field but a quality one — every rider covered the full course and earned their result. Well ridden, F Grade.

Sally Esplin led G Grade from the front with two beautifully even laps of 22:34 and 22:55, the fastest laps in the grade and a lovely example of controlled, confident riding to take a clear win. That consistency across both laps is exactly what you love to see.

Serena Funk rode strongly to take second, holding a good tempo on her opening lap and pushing on to complete the course. Charlotte Hua showed wonderful determination to see the race through, digging deep on the second lap and getting the job done — and finishing is what it's all about.

Every G Grade rider completed the full distance and should be thrilled with getting out and racing. This is where cycling journeys begin, and on this evidence there's plenty more to come. Brilliant stuff — we can't wait to see you all back on the start line.