By Lachlan Onions
The Human-Powered Vehicle series returned to the South East on Saturday for the first pedal prix of the season at McNamara Park.
There were 83 entrants who took to the course and from the outset, the battle for the overall win consisted of the two Trump Trikes Factory Racing Team entrants, the UniSA team, as well as the Wattle Racing and Platt Racing teams.
After eight gruelling hours which saw riders battle the weather, Platt Racing came out on top to claim the open category win as it completed 162 laps and defeated Wattle Racing’s Gunyah entry by 24 seconds.
The Junior School competition saw the Holy Trinity Lutheran College take out a one-two with its Thunder entry claiming the win ahead of Hurricane and St Martin’s Lutheran College’s Crank IT took home the final podium place.
Pembroke School’s Phoenix entry swept the field in the Middle School competition as it completed 135 laps to claim the win ahead of Modbury High School and St Martin’s Lutheran College.
Pembroke School also claimed victory in the Senior School category as its Centurion entry completed 142 laps to see off Norwood International High School and Blackfriars Priory School.
The Kingston Community school was one of the best performers from the South East as its Larry trike completed 126 laps.
A close contest took place between the two Millicent High School entries with RIPT Reloaded coming out on top by 36 seconds.
Riders will return to the grid on May 20 for Round 2 where there will be a six-hour race at Tailem Bend.
