Davis from the Carnegie-Caulfield Cycling Club slipped away from 24 opponents in the lead group and went strongly to the line to win by 50 metres.

Shaun Gatter from Footscray was fastest of the chasing group placing second in advance of Jenny MacPherson from Carnegie-Caulfield. Ballarat-Sebastopol riders Adam Smith and Dean Griffen placed fourth and fifth respectively.

Ballarat riders played a big part in the finish with a fourth representative, David Ogilvie, in eighth place.

Riders from the four front groups combined early to form a winning combination. Their effort held the chasing three-minute markers out by 64 seconds.

The three-minute (second scratch) group outrode the scratchmen and Bendigo's Tim Hucker, from that group registered the fastest time.

Line honours winner Matthew Davis, 30, was elated at his first major win after 12 months of competition.

The race started and finished at the Farmers Arms and took in three circuits through Newlyn, Blampied, Smeaton, Allendale and North Creswick.

The race, which this year drew 126 riders, is a tribute to the late Fred Icke, race founder, promoter and organiser for 21 of its 47 years.

Results: Matthew Davis (Carnegie-Caulfield, 20 mins) 1; Shaun Gatter (Footscray, 15 mins) 2; Jenny MacPherson (Carnegie, 15 mins) 3

Winner's time: 3 hours 26 minutes 3 seconds.

Fastest time: Tim Hucker (Bendigo 3 minutes) 3 hours 10 minutes 7 seconds.

Intermediate sprints: Dean Griffen (2), Brian James (1), Adam Smith (1).

First woman: Jenny MacPherson.