IT was a successful weekend for Mount Gambier Cycling Club members at Wal’s Weekend of Cycling in Casterton on the weekend.
The event consisted of the 74th running of the Casterton 50, an 84km handicapped race held on Saturday, which has been running continuously since 1946.
Sunday saw the Kelpie Classic – part of the South West Series – and the Victorian 100km Championships.
With 13 members competing over the two days, the club was well represented by Scott Waters and Matthew Opperman, who finished first and second respectively in the Casterton 50 D Grade category.
While most riders found the first leg of the course out to Dunrobin and back fairly flat and not too challenging, they soon changed their minds when they started heading South out to Sandford, Henty, Marino and Digby over some difficult hills while battling severe cross winds, which forced some riders to retire early.
Sunday’s Kelpie Classic saw Freya Miller finish second, with Molly Opperman fourth in the Under 11/13’s, both riding well on a wet and steep course, which was quite intimidating for the young competitors.
Tess Wight finished fourth in the Under 15/17’s handicapped event and had to ride the same tough street circuit as the Seniors, with one steep hill over at the back of the circuit and a long, drawn out hill on the main street up to the hospital.
The Seniors race this year was run as a graded scratch event consisting of A, B, C and D grades, with A and B grades run together, but given individual points.
After being promoted into B Grade and riding with some high-calibre competitors, Matthew Opperman finished ninth over a tough seven laps.
The C and D grades were run separately.
Amy Wight claimed the D Grade honours, with Spek Peake second and Phil McGee third.
More good news was announced at the event, with two young Mount Gambier riders awarded Wal Smith scholarships.
Both Molly Opperman and Tess Wight were the recipients.
For Opperman it is her first year of racing, while Wight received her second award, something which rarely happens.
