The local financial planner usually rides in from his Moonbi home for the Sunday morning crits but opted to drive in Sunday morning after a big four-hour ride the day before.

He thought he’d be too heavy in the legs and had low expectations with the 30 minute plus two lap A Grade race.

“But when we got going I felt quite strong in the legs,” he said.

“Our aim was to keep the others away for at least half the race.”

In that he meant he and fellow A Graders Brendan Hallford and Darren Traill were given a lap start by fellow A Graders Fraser Ashford, Phil Kelleher and Mitch Carrington.

“They didn’t pick us up until about 12 minutes to go,” he said.

“I was able to have a breather then, catch my breath and loosen my legs up.”

When Carrington put in a big attack he was able to go with Ashford and Kelleher and then was able to roll off the front with about a lap and half to go and establish a little 30 to 40m break.

“They were foxing each other to see who would chase me,” he laughed after his little break enabled him to stay away and score a 10m win from  Carrington and Kelleher.

“I was just happy to finish a race like that,” Griffin said.

“It’s great for my Masters racing later in the year. I’ve got to have good leg speed for that.”

He’s off to the Masters Nationals at Ballarat.

“I won three silvers at last year’s. I’d love to win gold.”

He’s also off to Port Macquarie in April to race in the 115km Griffo 1000, a charity race named in honour of his late father, Jack Griffin.

“All dad wanted to do last year was to ride one more charity ride and clock 1000km,” Griffin said.

“He rode the third one last year and then got diagnosed six weeks later.

“I want to ride it in his honour . The local Rotary club have invited me to lead the race in. 

“It should be good fun, but sad as well.”