READY TO RACE: Cyclists from across Victoria compete during the Horsham Christmas Carnival on Thursday. Picture: EMMA COUTTS
A RECORD for the fastest lap cycled around Horsham Velodrome still stands a decade after it was set.
Cyclists at Thursday's Horsham Christmas Carnival failed to break the Murray Lehmann Fastest Lap record set by Australian Capital Territory rider Kial Stewart in 2002.
The time of 19.40 seconds was set on an upgraded track.
After the velodrome was resurfaced three weeks ago, history looked to repeat itself when Blackburn Cycling Club rider Brent Nelson took to the track.
He came closest to breaking the record with a time of 19.65 seconds.
Club team-mates Hugo Tolliday and Cameron Parleviet were not far behind with times of 20.65 and 21.10 seconds respectively.
Horsham Cycling Club rider Matthew Denham rode the fifth fastest time of 21.81 seconds.
Denham, who has returned to competitive cycling after an 18-year break, competed in four events for the day.
He placed second in the men's 20-lap motorpace, fourth in the C Grade scratch race, and 13th in the Ian Niblett Memorial Wheelrace.
Denham, 34, said the carnival was a fantastic re-introduction to cycling.
He said he had never lost his passion for cycling but his job as a truck driver did not allow him to train.
"I started riding again because I needed to lose weight," he said.
"I lost 18 kilograms and decided to start racing again so it has been all about getting fit.
"I was very happy with my first day's outing."
Denham said the sport had undergone many changes during the past 20 years.
He encouraged any Wimmera residents interested in cycling to join the Horsham Cycling Club.
"Cycling has changed dramatically and I am still learning about all the parts of the bikes they have now," he said.
"The design of bikes has completely changed and it is fantastic really.
"Juniors are the future in every sport so if we can get more juniors into cycling it would be great for the club."