Hughes, 52, became the oldest cyclist to win the feature event when he outsprinted Chris Harney and Lee Burchell in a 15-man front markers sprint to the finish line at Emu Creek.

“Rob was about four years older than me when we were riding for the Bendigo club in the early 1980’s,’’ Hughes said.

“Rob was a very good rider and a great guy, but he died of cancer at a very young age.

“To win the race named after a guy I knew so well… it was an emotional day for me.”

Hughes was a promising rider himself in his younger days, but not long after winning the Victorian under-19 road championship he gave the sport away.

“I had 30-odd years off, but decided to get back into it last year because of health reasons,’’ Hughes said.

“I’m enjoying being back on the bike.”

Hughes raced off the 22-minute handicap for the 100km event.

The wind and cool conditions made life tough for the backmarkers and the race turned into a sprint home for the frontmarkers.

“It was a tough race, I thought I was going to get dropped off the bunch a couple of times,’’ Hughes said.

“I hung in there and used all my knowledge and smarts to get myself over the line”

Hughes, who is sponsored by Workforce Securities, showed there was still life in his ageing legs by defeating Harney and Burchell. Bendigo’s Jason Lea (scratch) earned fastest time honours.

Under-11/13 11km handicap -  1st: Jamie Coles, 2nd: Harry Willen, 3rd: Issac Jones. Fastest time: Jacob Henery. First unplaced female was Hope Harnetty.

Under-15/17 33km handicap - 1st: Will McLure-Wallace, 2nd: Thomas Cole, 3rd: Jackson Hadden. Fastest time Sam Eddy. First unplaced female was Olivia Sens.