Cairns riders including Dwayne Peter-Budge claim cycling wins at Port Douglas Gran Fondo

It was hot on and off the track when Far North riders took out the honours at the Port Douglas Gran Fondo. See the results.

Alison Paterson

3 min read

September 12, 2022 - 6:00AM

The Cairns Post

Cairns

Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.

The racing sizzled along with temperatures as Cairns riders flew down the track to take a place on the podium at the inaugural Port Douglas Gran Fondo criterium events.

The racing was fast and furious across all grades with commissaries reminding riders to keep hydrated as the mercury increased.

A strong performance from Trinity Beach’s Dwayne Peter-Budge, 43, who maintained a robust lead meant he won the Men’s A-Grade by a whisker ahead of Paul Thuesen and Matthais Wust in the 45 minute and one lap event.

It was an exciting race where Peter-Budge quickly established his lead and moved to form a breakaway early on.

“I chased down an early solo attack (Paul Thuesen) and the guys did not want to follow with me,” he said.

Photo Gallery: Port Douglas Gran Fondo Festival

VIEW GALLERY

“So we stayed away from the group with a good gap and got home and hosed.”

Peter-Budge whose previously raced with Carnegie-Caulfield Cycling Club in Victoria and is now with Rainforest n Reef Cycling Club, said his years racing down south had prepared him well to compete in FNQ when he moved to Port Douglas in 2020.

“They are one of Victoria’s — if not Australia’s — toughest and most competitive cycling clubs and they don’t take any prisoners,” Peter-Budge said.

“Some of the riders seemed half my age but I don’t like getting behind riders that drop wheels as this creates breaks.

“I like to keep pushing through races, I love the momentum, speed and corners.”

Cairns Cycling Club rider Paul Thuesen, 43, placed second and said he reckoned he lost after maintaining a solo break for half the race.

“I led the break in a solo attack and I probably had four attempts but my pace wasn’t fast enough,” he said.

“But you have to give it a crack and get up off the front.”

Cairns Cycling Club riders Tomas and Nimah Rodney at Port Douglas Gran Fondo

The Men’s B-Grade was claimed by local Steven Christiansen who outrode a determined attack by Daniel Inglis into second and John Thompson into third.

The Women’s A-Grade was won by Cairns Mountain Bike Club rider Katheryn Deed, 47.

“I've been doing lots of mountain bike riding but I have raced with CCC,” she said.

CCC rider Gabby Thomaz won the Open C-Grade against strong male and female opposition ahead of claiming the Women’s 250m sprint shortly after.

The event was not without drama as CCC’s Brandon Hutton suffered a puncture and had to repeat Tour de France winner Chris Froome’s run on Stage 12 of the 2016 event and abandoned his bike and shoes for this fathers’ to complete the race.

Hutton, however, failed to catch up and place.

The winners of the Port Douglas Gran Fondo 250m Sprints were Ricky Groth, 16, and Gabby Thomasz, 43, and were presented by Hemingway's Brewery representative Harry Michael. Picture: Alison Paterson

Men’s Sprint Winner Ricky Groth, 16, was happy with his win.

“I was hoping to get into the finals,” the St Augustus year 11 student said.

“To beat David Hutton, I got lucky.”

“I felt it was pretty fast, this was a lot faster at the finish”

Ms Thomaz said getting two wins was fantastic.

“I’m really happy,” she said.

“The crit was a hard race and the sprint was long.”

Chief Commissaire Richie Bates said he was proud of the CCC riders and all competitors.

“They dug deep, there were some good performances,” the CCC head coach said.

“The riders tended to lift and find that little bit extra.”