The VeloNorth Cycling Club held its first road race on Sunday along the North Klondike Highway.

The race was held under clear blue skies and the road conditions couldn't have been better for the 15 riders that took part. The expert men category had 12 men, and the expert women category had three.

The race was a 48-kilometre route starting from the Takhini Hot Springs Road all the way to Deep Creek at the Lake LeBarge campground turnoff, and back.

Emerging from the start line the cyclists stayed together in a tight pack, followed by a pilot vehicle that warned drivers behind that the race was in progress.

The first climb of the race saw the pack finally split apart. Strategy began to play a key role and the race's front runners began to part from the group.

Kerrie Patterson managed to edge out her fellow cyclists to finish up the race in a time of 1:36.28. She was followed into the finish line at the Takhini Hot Springs Road two minutes later by Laura Salmon for a time of 1:38.22. Trena Irving finished eight minutes later with a time of 1:46.22.

In the men's category the steady pace saw upsets set up by Jonah Clark, Derrick Hynes, James Minifie and Troy Henry, as they attacked at their competitors.

The final 100 metres saw a group of nine fighting for the top spot, with Stephen Ball ultimately winning the battle by just a wheel in 1:25.27 over Clark. Henry finished in third place despite challenging the field the entire way.

Jonathon Kerr was forced to end his race after a flat tire.

The VeloNorth Club would like to thank their volunteers that helped make the event possible.

The club also held a non-competitve ride on Saturday that began at the Baked Café and ran to the Carcross cutoff.

There will be another fun ride on Saturday. Registration for the ride will begin at 10 a.m. at the Baked Café, with the ride starting at 10:30 that will head to the North Klondike Highway and back.

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Results

Womens Expert

Name Time

1. Kerrie Patterson 1:36.28

2. Laura Salmon 1:38.22

3. Trena Irving 1:46.22

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Mens Expert

Name Time

1. Stephen Ball 1:25.27

2. Jonah Clark 1:25.27

3. Troy Henry 1:25.27

4. Glenn Iceton 1:25.27

5. Jerome McIntryre 1:25.27

6. Aaron Foos 1:25.27

7. Derrick Hynes 1:25.27

8. Scott Kerby 1:25.27

9. James Minifie 1:25.27

10. Darren Holcombe 1:30.48

11. Tony Delorenzo 1:31.28

12. Jonothan Kerr DNF