THE daunting climb at Mount Alexander will be the finale to this Sunday’s fifth race in the Myer Bendigo Classics being run by the Bendigo and District Cycling Club.

Cyclists will race 43km in the Decked Out Coaching-backed Emu Creek to Mount Alexander classic.

In race four, Pip Grinter won the Inglewood Classic (60km).

A Commonwealth Games on the track in the points score, Castlemaine’s Sean Finning surged to the series lead by racing to second place on the Inglewood circuit.

The field battled a strong crosswind for most of the race.

Finning and Grinter upped the power as the combined scratch bunch caught the remaining bunches and snaked past on the narrow road.

At 12km to go, Finning, Grinter, Jamie Crass, Mark Flood and Joel Fahy led the way.

Fahy was first to test his legs on the climb through the Inglewood Flora Reserve. He opened up a gap quickly, but just as quickly Grinter countered and broke clear.

By race end, Grinter was 24 seconds clear of Finning.

Next best were Flood, Fahy, Crass, Trent Williams, Cam Winn, Shane Freer, Darren Dempster and Mick Anderson.

First unplaced veteran was David Maltby.

Standings in the Myer Bendigo classic road series - Sean Finning 25; Terry Schintler, Simon Bennett 18; Carly McCoombe 15; Mark Flood, Pip Grinter 13; Ashlin Casey, Shaun McCarthy, Micah Leske, Paul Dynon, Tony Fitzpatrick and Joel Fahy.

Marshals for this Sunday’s race are Sean Pontelandolfo, Andrew Summers, Trent Williams and Steve Haslam.

Race entries at Harding Cycles on 5443 2224 or Moronis Bike Shop on 5443 9644 by 6pm tomorrow.

Registration closes at 9.15 on Sunday for a 9.30 start.