Saturday the 5th of November saw the running of the annual Stratford to Dargo. After a wet and windy Melbourne to Warrnambool, Zoom Video chose the more leisurely pursuit of following our Bike Gallery comrades in their B grade campaign, to soak up some sun and bring you pics of one of the most spectacular races on the Australian road calendar.

After a foggy start in Melbourne the sky opened up to a crystal clear day. Perfect for a spin through the country!

Setting off from Stratford’s main drag under clearing fog.

A grade had 9 riders, B contained 15 so the grades were combined. A break formed quickly

The combined A/B break away, with Clement & Munro Boydell, Liam Dove (all in A grade) Wes Cordingley, James Bennett (in B Grade) drove a hard tempo to build an early 6 minute lead.

The A/B lead car larking it up

A/B break working the first lengthy climb

The A/B bunch in pursuit – now around 5:30 down

The A/B break through the feed. Most just took on water as the mercury climbed well into the 20′s.

Those following the race were treated to spectacular scenery. The time flew

This could be France!

The A/B break with a dwindling gap (around 2:30) hit the Dargo climb. By now it’s nudging 30 C!

@wescords with a wise choice of kit colour

1K to go – just when you think the 16K climb couldn’t get any worse – a pinch of near 20% awaits. By now the break has been caught

Nicholas Bein from team Bike Gallery emerges to take the B grade win!

With a 2nd place for Fergus Sully its 1, 2 3 for Bike Gallery

Hows the legs? What could have caused such a smashing?

This bit – ouch!

Anyone riding the last 1K straight on, was either super strong, or rocking a 28+ on the rear.

In the hurtbox

No 28? no problem, thats why some smart kid invented the postie boy

All smiles for Soul Devotion legend Tim McGrath – Tim was rocking a 32 on the back – Thanks SRAM APEX!

Cooking – can’t wait to cool off?

Dargo has what you are looking for. Cool rivers and,…

A ripping pub!

Successful campaign by the Bike Gallery boys in B grade. 1st  Nicholas Bien, 2nd Fergus Sully, and 3rd Daniel Strauss.

The A grade champions, 1st Jason Spencer, 2nd Rowan Denver, 3rd, Trent Morey. Full results at cyclingtipsblog.com

Homeward bound! What a fantastic day, this race really is one of the gems in Australian racing. Get amongst it in 2012!

(If anyone is after a high res pic of any of these shoot Zoom Video Racing an email)