LAST weekend 109 young cyclists raced the iconic Wilson Asset Management's Alpe de Buffalo juniors' race, which incorporates the Victorian State Hillclimb Championship.

The race is hosted by Alpine and Hawthorn cycling clubs and this year welcomed major sponsor Wilson Asset Management.

With three distinct races held over two days, the first stage was a punishing individual race against the clock where the riders race from Porepunkah to various points up Mt Buffalo Road, with the eldest age groups finishing some 15km up the hill at Rollasons Falls.

Stage two was an exciting criterium at Pioneer Park in Bright – riders raced around a short circuit as a group for up to 30 minutes.

This format is fast and furious and challenging with a hill to make it harder.

The racers competed for time bonuses which can be critical when it comes to calculating the overall cumulative time.

Stage three is the ultimate challenge with groups starting at Porepunkah and racing up Mt Buffalo to the very top at Dingo Dell – the under 11's started at the chalet.

The locals of the Alpine Cycling Club picked up some of the top spots in the race, notably Scarlett Stewart and Eliza Walker.

Scarlett's perfectly executed strategy wasn't enough to hold off Ashleigh Maas from Canberra though.

Theodore Gray picked up first place overall in the Under 11 boys.

Local legend Lachlan Stewart battled a really competitive field to pick up bronze in the Under 15 boys A grade while compatriot George Walker picked up third in B grade.

In the Under 19's David Sandberg from Hawthorn snatched victory by 50 seconds after nearly three hours of racing from locals Mac Yorston and Cohen Jessen.