THE Mount Gambier Cycling Club welcomed riders from the Limestone Coast and South West Victoria for its annual Soldiers’ Memorial race, held along Caves Road on ANZAC Day.
Held over 42km this year, after not being able to run last year, the Soldiers’ Memorial race has a long history, held since 1948.
Prior to the racing, former president of the club, Alan Dowdell, shared some brief words on the history of the race.
RSL representative David Tye then led the reflections of ANZAC Day with a recitation of the Ode of Remembrance, followed by the playing of the Last Post, before the starter called the riders to their marks.
The Under 15 and Under 17 riders faced a 20km handicap race, an out-and-back course familiar to the local riders.
A good field of 10 greeted the starter, with Elmer Buckland and Evie Clementson the first group to leave, three minutes ahead of Jamison Buckley and Erik Howie.
Harry Opperman, Riley Ortronen and Jamie Verhoeff were next to leave a further six minutes behind, followed by Cadel Howie, Rhyan Menzel and Niel van Niekirk, who were giving a 12-minute head start to the leading riders.
The front groups of riders rode to their best pace to try and stay away from the groups riding behind.
Buckley was able to ride away from Erik Howie and stay away from the chasing packs.
They finished first and second respectively.
Buckland sprinted to the line to finish third, followed closely by Verhoeff who just missed out on a podium.
In the sprint to the line to determine fastest time, it was Cadel Howie who was able to finish ahead of van Niekirk and Menzel.
Just after the final group of U15/17 riders left for their race, the U11/13 competitors lined up to begin a 10km race.
Eddie Buckland was to begin first, followed three minutes later by Molly Opperman, with William Verhoef a further minute behind.
The names for the podium were set, just the order to be decided.
Buckland started strongly and was holding the riders at bay through to the turnaround.
Opperman was passed by Verhoef soon after the turnaround mark, who then set off in pursuit of Buckland.
With approximately one kilometre to go, Verhoef managed to get to the back of Buckland’s wheel.
After a quick break and breather, he then set off with a burst of speed to ensure Buckland could not hold onto his wheel for the sprint to the line.
At the finish, Verhoef took first place and fastest time honours, followed by Buckland, with Opperman finishing soon after.
As a part of the South West Series, racers from Port Fairy, Hamilton, Warrnambool, Camperdown and Portland cycling clubs joined with local riders for the Soldiers’ Memorial Handicap.
First to leave, providing the “hare” for the other racers to chase down, was Damian Buckley.
He was given eight minutes head start to all the other riders, with Jen Buckland, Anne Taylor, Phil McGee and Neil Hyland the first group to try and catch him.
After a further four minutes had elapsed, Owen Cox, Spek Peake, Barry Warren, Nikki Menzel, Matt Fiegert and Ben Ortronen began their chase, followed four minutes later by the group containing Dean Zeven, Laurie Paltridge, Paul Bast and Jason Puschenjak.
With 19 minutes already on the race clock, the group containing Craig Taylor, Jade Frankell, Dean Menzel and Robert Mann headed off, followed four minutes later by Matthew Opperman, Dave Bryant and Rohan Garfoot.
The final group to depart, 28 minutes after Damian Buckley had started proceedings, included Chris Kennett, Nick Kidman, Noah Morton, Shaun King, Wayne Collins, Matt Burchell and John Watkinson.
As the riders passed 15km into the race and the turn along Border Road towards Donovans, most were keeping pace with their groups and Buckley was keeping everyone at bay.
The rolling road to the turnaround just before Dry Creek and the return to the Border Road turn saw some riders lose touch with their group and other groups come together.
Out in front, Buckley was caught with approximately 11km to race by the combined second and third limit groups.
This group continued to power on toward the finish, shedding some riders along the way, but able to hold all other groups at bay.
In the final sprint for the line, it was Warren who managed to hold off Nikki Menzel and Peake, with Anne Taylor having to settle for fourth place.
The scratch bunch of riders rode strongly but were just not able to catch that last group.
Noah Morton claimed the fastest time honours.
Presentations for the Soldiers’ Memorial race were held back at the RSL, with an afternoon tea provided by the Auxiliary.
Ange Kain, representing Bio Gro, one of the Major Sponsors of the race, was on hand to present the riders with their prizes.
