FOOTSCRAY Cycling Club’s smiling assassin Shaun Gatter, struck at She Oaks in the Club’s A Grade scratch race held on Saturday.

On the notoriously demanding circuit, which features numerous gruelling climbs, Gatter and fellow gun rider Steve Pilson suffered punctures mid-race.

Adding to the drama, club champion Graham Carlson and Ben O’Leary were also off the back of the peloton, meaning the four fancied riders were behind the eight-ball.

It was sheer determination that saw Gatter and Pilson get back to the main group, which was powered by Tony Hallam.

The sprint to the line saw Gatter display his trademark fast finish, with Hallam and Pilson powering in just behind.

Sixteen-year-old Geelong rider Lachlan Doak sent a warning out to the Club’s A Grade racers with an impressive victory in B Grade. Riders knew from the outset they would be in for a hard race, as the pack was driven hard by Doak, Corey Florence, Mark Micallef and James McGuire.

Riders began dropping on the first and second laps. The race took a new twist when David Lucid and a bunch of riders were fell right off the pace giving the remaining seven the impression they had eradicated half the field, only to have the pack fight back a lap later.

Not content with working himself to the limit to catch the leaders, Lucid then rode off the front and disappeared out of sight. This spurred Doak, Florence and McGuire to do the same.

Led by Drew Macdonald, the remaining troops worked hard to reel in the three riders but young Doak had enough in the tank to cross the line on his own.

As the peloton approached the line, it was Micallef who jumped first. He “cramped and limped” across the line ahead of McGuire and Peter McQuade.

In C Grade, Chris Pescott took the honours ahead of Darren Ward, John Boyle and John Lucas.

In D Grade newcomer Aaron Matthews had his maiden win in his first road race beating out Charlotte Priest and Jose Rojas.