AFTER a two-month hiatus from racing, bikes were dusted off for the Mount Gambier Cycling Club’s first race of the 2021 Spring/Summer Series – the 20km Earl Memorial Handicap held on the Caves Road course.
Three Under 11/13 riders began proceedings with a 10km race.
Eddie Buckland and Kira Harpham were given a three-minute head-start over Molly Opperman, fresh from her state time trial victory the previous week.
That proved not quite far enough ahead as Opperman powered past the other riders with around 1km to go to take the victory ahead of Buckland and Harpham.
In the senior race, Elmer Buckland started alongside Jason Buckland, followed three minutes later by Jen Buckland, Damian Buckley and Spek Peake.
The next group consisting of Sarah Dally, Matt Fiegert, Patrick Langsmith, Rob Mann and Bruce McLaughlin left a further five minutes behind, closely followed by a group containing Jami Buckley, Dean Zeven, Colin Weatherill and Craig Andre two minutes later.
The second-last group to leave, consisting of Niel van Niekirk, Matthew Opperman and Ash Herrewyn, gave up a further three minutes, with Nick Kidman taking the final starter’s mark one minute later, some 14 minutes after the first riders had begun.
All riders enjoyed the first 5km section which held the promise of a tailwind, knowing the remainder of the race would include cross and headwinds.
As the race passed the halfway mark, the riders were able to gauge how they were traveling in relation to the rest of the field, with each group still working to catch the one ahead of them.
Turning into the long straight for the final 5km of headwind, Elmer and Jason Buckland were caught by Peake and Jen Buckland, with the next group moving into the lead with 3km remaining.
It seemed the handicapper had done his job well and the headwind brought everyone together for the final sprint.
As the riders crested the final hill, ready for the sprint finish, the group of Fiegert, Dally, Langsmith, Mann and McLaughlin kept away from the chasing bunches and were set to contest the finish.
At the line it was Fiegert who saluted, closely followed by Dally and Langsmith.
Ash Herrewyn claimed the fastest time honours.
