The Otago club’s premier annual road race, which started 35 years ago, attracted 60 riders.
This is the third time Stott (66) has won the race.
The Hastie Memorial features as a family favourite, as son Justin has won twice.
Any cyclist will admit that it is difficult to win one handicap race, so to take line honours in this race three times over two decades is a good effort.
Stott is enjoying a return to fitness after training for the Wanaka Challenge Half Ironman in 2015.
He was forced to pull out of that race due to illness, which led him to ramp up his training and subsequently take age-group honours this year.
On Saturday, Stott set off with fellow seasoned campaigner Liz Williamson.
The duo worked well together in the sunny conditions, and a strong tail wind from Milton played into their hands.
As the finish tape neared, Williamson realised she was slightly undergeared and Stott, always a strong finisher, was able to cruise over the line in a time of 3hr 37min.
Williamson, who lives in Alexandra, is a loyal supporter of this race and endured a hard winter season preparing for the World Masters Cycling Championships, which were held last month in Perth.
Although a virus put paid to any medal chance, the event has whetted Williamson’s appetite for the world championships in France next year.
Third to finish was international ironman competitor Karen Rasmussen, who rode away from her bunch to cross the line five minutes after Stott.
Williamson’s husband, Martin, crossed in fourth.
Brad Evans posted the fastest time of 2hr 31min 50sec, outsprinting Southland’s Matt Zenovich.
Ella Harris was the fastest woman, Geoff Keogh the fastest master and Matt Nunn the fastest junior.
- Jan Brosnahan
