After taking a couple of years off from competitive cycling, Adam Kiss decided he would try his hand at the Cycling ACT Road Race Championships over the weekend.
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In what Kiss described as a "surprising" turn of events, he claimed first place in the MM3 division.
"I was just going over to have a race and get back into it, and I was lucky enough to grab a win," he said.
"It was a bit of a surprise, but I was pleased nonetheless."
With roughly 20 competitors in the race, Kiss had not expected to perform so well. But he knew many of his fellow racers, and battled hard to claim the top spot.
"They were all a good bunch of blokes, I've raced with them all before in Canberra," he said.
"They certainly pushed the pace. It was a bit of a shock to the system getting back into the racing, but we all push each other locally at training when we can."
Kiss credited the warm and encouraging atmosphere at the Goulburn Cycle Club with his return to the sport.
"I got back into it through the local cycling community, it's a good one to be involved in," he said. "Everyone pushes each other along."
Having begun cycling as a child, he stopped competing as he got older, but took it up again when he moved to Goulburn roughly a decade ago.
For a number of years, Kiss was a standout performer for the GCC, with several podium finishes in high-profile races throughout the region.
However, personal priorities took over for Kiss in recent years, which led him to stop cycling again for a time.
Through the GCC, Kiss rediscovered his passion for the sport, but was forced to wait until the lockdown was over to resume his participation.
"You get tied up with other priorities, but I got back into it and I've been waiting for an opportunity to start racing again," he said.
"The ACT has been pretty proactive and they've been back racing for a month or so."
With a win under his belt, Kiss is now eager to continue racing and testing himself.
The next event he has his eye on is the Ken Dinnerville Memorial Handicap Race, which will be hosted by the Illawarra Cycling Club on Sunday, August 16.
The race will take place on the Breadalbane course near Goulburn, and Kiss and several other locals are currently training for the event.
After a strong start to the 2020 racing season and with his rigorous training with the GCC, Kiss will certainly be in with a good chance.
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