AFTER three years, cyclists returned en masse to the Alpine region for the Tour of Bright last weekend, with the local Alpine Cycling Club (ACC) making a strong showing.

According to ACC communications officer Laura Gray, nearly 400 riders registered and raced over the weekend.

"We were very happy with it all, we had amazing weather," Ms Gray said.

She said the warm conditions were a marked difference from the last Tour of Bright in 2019 when snow fell over the weekend.

"Racers had to contend with some sunny, very warm weather, but it all ran successfully and safely," she said.

Ms Gray thanked the tour's many volunteers, sponsors and the events team, including race director Aaron Smith.

According to Ms Gray, the two–day event was split into three stages.

The first stage, called the Gaps Loop, was a loop from Bright to Ovens, across to the Kiewa Valley Highway via the Happy Valley Road, and south to Tawonga before heading finishing on the Tawonga Gap Road.

The second stage was a time–trail to Martins Bridge in Wandiligong and back again.

The third stage was a race from Bright to the top of Mount Buffalo.

Notable placings from the Alpine Cycling Club included Christophe Baudry, who came second in the Masters A Men general and climb classifications; Julian Baudry, who came fourth in the Men's B general classification and second in the climb classification; and Fiona Morris, who came fifth in the Women's B general classification and fourth in the climb classification.