RIDERS competed in good weather on Sunday during the Allen Bailey Memorial Handicap.
The race, held over 50km, honours its namesake, a promising young cyclist who died while riding in 1931.
Held in most years since its inception, the race is one of the most significant competitions in the Mount Gambier Cycling Club.
Border restrictions did not allow riders from Western Victoria which resulted in a smaller-than-usual number of competitors in the event.
First away were the junior riders, racing over 10km, with Eddie Buckland given a three-minute head start over his older brother, Elmer Buckland.
Enjoying a slight tailwind for the first 5km, speeds were high and Elmer struggled to make headway into the time difference.
After the turnaround, and facing a slight headwind, Elmer’s strength had him gaining on his brother at a quick rate.
With approximately 2km to race, Elmer caught up with Eddie, proving too strong to power away in the final 1500m to win by 20 seconds.
The fourth race in the Kidman Law Co Spring/Summer Series was seeded into three groups by the club handicappers, with 14 riders greeting the Commissaire.
The race was started by Allan Dowdell, life member of the Mount Gambier Cycling Club.
First to enjoy the first 15km of tailwind was Rob Mann, Mike Bakker, Craig Andre and Pat Langsmith, who were given a five-minute head start over the large middle group, consisting of Jami Buckley, Colin Weatherill, Phil Stasiw, Dean Zeven, Spek Peake, and John Cranwell.
The scratch group, consisting of Nick Kidman, Matthew Opperman, Ash Herrewyn and Dave Bryant waited a further 11 minutes before beginning their chase of the riders ahead.
Enjoying the first 15km tailwind, before the right turn onto Nene Valley Road, each group rode hard and were slowly catching the groups ahead of them.
Herrewyn found the going tough, dropping out the back of the scratch group before the first turn and chose to end his ride early.
After the 20km loop from Kongorong to Blackfellows Caves and back to Mount Salt Road, the groups still maintained cohesion, as the gaps continued to close.
As the riders began the final 15km leg into the slight headwind, the middle group could see the limit riders in the distance and continued to close.
Unfortunately, the finish line arrived before that task could be completed, with the limit group sprinting for the win.
Andre reached the finish line first (1:27:42), just ahead of Langsmith, with Bakker edging out Mann for the final spot on the podium.
Kidman received fastest time honours (1:14:54), ahead of Opperman and Bryant.
The Bailey Memorial Perpetual Trophy and medallion were presented by series sponsor, Nick Kidman.
Focus now turns to the next race in the Kidman Law Co Spring/Summer series, the 30km handicap along the familiar Caves Road route.
