LOCAL cyclists unwilling to let COVID-19 ruin their year forged ahead with a modified Berri Hotel Tour of the Riverland on Sunday.
Known as the Barry Skinner Classic 50km handicap road race, in honour of the man who has for many years been the key pillar in organising the Tour, the locals-only race went ahead to ensure the event did not skip a year.
Kym Pietrolaj won the Tom Perry Perpetual trophy donated by Di DeCol for the first cyclist over the line, with Mick Gray and Sue Lahainer rounding out the top three. Clint Bambrick won the Bob Fisher Memorial trophy for the fastest time.
The race was held at Barmera around Lake Bonney, with gusty winds greeting the 21 nominated riders.
The first 10km of the race split most groups apart and left only a few riders to do the work into the headwinds.
Bambrick rode most of the race solo from scratch and was unable to catch the frontrunners, despite being fastest on the day.
The Berri Hotel’s Jeremy Sweet was on hand to present the placegetters their trophies, while Mrs DeCol presented the Tom Perry trophy to Pietrolaj.
The club thanked Skinner for his dedication to the club, DeCol for her continued support, as well as Tony Fisher for donating the Bob Fisher trophy.
They also thanked the Berri Hotel and 5RM for sponsoring the event, along with volunteers Glen O’Brien and Corinna Ward.

RESULTS
Tour of the Riverland, Sun – 1. K. Pietrolaj (Tom Perry Perpetua