IN a big weekend of cycling for the Limestone Coast region, Sunday, May 19 will see the 2019 State Kermesse Championship around the Blue Lake.
That follows the 83rd running of the 100 Mile Classic on the Saturday.
Juniors will kick proceedings off at 8am, with the Blue Lake closed to normal traffic.
The Under 13 riders will complete three laps of the lake, followed by five laps for the Under 15 and Under 17 male and female junior riders.
The men’s C and D grades followed by the women – dependant on entries – will race around the Blue Lake for 50 minutes plus two laps.
The main event is the Elite Men’s State Kermesse Championship, set to start from approximately 10.30am.
They will race for 75 minutes plus two laps around the Blue Lake circuit, with the winner crowned the South Australian Kermesse Champion, with a first prize of $800.
Mount Gambier Cycling Club president Dean Zeven said he expected plenty of action in one of the biggest races of its type over what has become a well-respected road course.
“It is a huge day around the Blue Lake,” he said.
“There will be action for half of the day, which usually finishes around 2pm.
“It is a good sight around the Blue Lake.”
The elite men will certainly provide plenty of action over the long race, with around 30 entries expected.
Sprints throughout the race will sort out the front runners, which can often lead to a splintered lead group.
Points are gained for those sprints – along with prize money – which provides plenty of incentive for riders to push hard.
“You will notice the front group will get strung out on the sprint laps,” Zeven said.
“Then the group will generally come together, unless the front riders find they have a big gap on the rest of the group, then they might try to work together and stay out.
“Once you get dropped, it is tough to come back.”
That particular scenario happened in a recent event with Limestone Coast rider Angus Maddern.
“Angus Maddern was in a group of elite riders and he had a flat tyre,” Zeven said.
“He was allowed to rejoin back into the tail group and was working really hard trying to get back to the front group.
“No one was helping him so he was stuck in the second group and missed out on the prize money.
“If you do not have someone to work with you are in a bit of trouble.”
Zeven said it was hard to compare the difficulty of the course with others, but rated it highly.
He said the hilly section around the back of the lake was tough for the riders, while downhill towards the start/finish line provided plenty of fast action.
Add to it the sprint laps and the race is one not to miss.
The closure of the road around the Blue Lake allows the races to go on unhindered, while the general public can find plenty of good vantage points to watch all the action unfold.
