THE penultimate race of the Mount Gambier Cycling Club’s winter series was held on the weekend, with 13 riders competing on a road course south of Tantanoola.
Wind played a role in the final positions, with a head wind on the return journey.
Jason Buckland was given a generous handicap and expected a long, lonely ride over the 32km race.
The rest of the riders had to wait at least 13 minutes before they were given the opportunity to chase down the leader.
Damian Buckley and Jen Buckland began their chase, followed six minutes later by Mike Bakker and Patrick Langsmith.
They were then followed by a large scratch bunch, a further six minutes later, consisting of Phil Stasiw, Matthew Opperman, Nick Kidman, Rowan Kruysse, John Cranwell, Jami Buckley, Spek Peake and Dean Zeven.
By the time all riders were on the course, the 25 minute head start equated to 12 km.
A tailwind from the start gave the riders strong momentum as they set about the chase and they were over a short rise and along Lake Bonney quickly.
All groups worked well together, taking time out of those ahead.
With approximately seven kilometres to race, Opperman and Kidman rode away from their bunch, with the hope to catch the racers in front.
Out in front, Jason Buckland was grinding away into a slight headwind, over the dunes and onto the slightly uphill final seven kilometres.
Expecting at any moment to hear the rhythmic whirring of faster wheels from behind, he continued to count down the final kilometers until the finish was in sight.
Urged on by the onlookers at the finish line, he managed to stay away from the chasing riders, posting a time of 1:16:20.
Kidman and Opperman chased down all the other riders to compete for the final spots on the podium, with an unfortunate brake drama from Opperman handing second place and fastest time to Kidman (53:08 race time).
The junior race was held concurrently with the seniors, with the three riders beginning their 10km flat-course race just after the senior scratch bunch had left.
Riding together for nine kilometres, the juniors were then allowed to go as fast as they could for the final kilometre.
Elmer Buckland finished the race in first place, 11 seconds ahead of Molly Opperman and a further six seconds in front of his little brother, Eddie.
