Paul Baskett reeled his front running rivals to claim victory with a dogged come-from-behind performance in Saturday's Wanganui Cycling Club road race run in blustery conditions.
Starting at Upokongaro competitors climbed the Gentle Annie on the river road, turning at the top then heading up the Parapara to Aberfeldy School and returning to Upokongaro.
Twelve riders split into two groups of six to face the starter before Paul Forrest and Ashley Christie broke away on the Annie with Ross McNeil and Kerry Bennett chasing hard.
Starting six minutes later, the scratch bunch combined well, with Baskett, Hayden Trotter, Rob Gemmell, Darcy Forester, and Adrian Pettit riding away from Andrew Osmond on the Annie. Osmond was on his own for the rest of the ride, but fought fiercely to finish within seconds of the rider in front.
Further up the Parapara, Forrest and Christie were by now well clear with the scratch bunch chasing hard - they had picked up all but Forrest and Christie.