On a warm sunny morning in the town of Bundanoon a field of 1600 riders lined up for the start of the 2009 Highland Fling. An event that’s popularity had seen it sold out in just over 5 hours!

An impressive field of elite riders including past and present world champions exploded from the line as the starting gun went off for the 8am start. It didn’t take long for the action to occur, Clarence st rider and ROCKSTAR RACING team member for the Scott 24hr Matt Fleming broke a chain 1km into the race and worked hard to get back on to the field.

ROCKSTAR Hamish Elliot was the next to suffer with 2 punctures within the 1st 10km. At the front of the field the war of attrition was beginning to unfold. As the riders hit the 50km mark cracks were starting to appear. As the riders hit the climbs some 70 km in, it was ROCKSTAR Hamish Elliot who had not only caught the field but had now gone on the attack.

After reaching the summit of the days major climb his job was done and passed the lead over to fellow Rockstar Craig Gordon. As the front runners hit the final feed zone at the 80km mark Craig turned up the heat and was never headed winning the 110km event in a time of 4hrs and 16 minutes. Current world 24hr champion Jason English and former winner of the event Shaun Lewis worked together to try and pull back the ever conquering Gordon however it was not to be as they crossed the line 1minute 30 down to claim 2nd and 3rd respectively.

Craig Reflected on the race, “I really wanted to win this today, I was keen to get the ROCKSTAR team back to the top step off the podium after our 2nd at the Scott24hr. My teammate Hamish Elliot did an incredible job out there. He ended up puncturing 3 times but still managed to lead for a while. Winners are grinners, so I am smiling”.

Source: Rockstar Racing

Shimano Australia is a proud sponsor of Craig Gordon and the Rockstar Racing team, as well as the Highland Fling.