MOUNT Gambier Cycling Club’s Kidman Law Co Spring/Summer Series returned to the Attamurra Road course, starting from Sherwin Road, for a 25km out-and-back handicap race.
There were insufficient numbers to run the U11/13 race and as a result the Seniors race was brought forward.
At the time the wind seemed to come from the North East and the racers looked forward to some tailwind on the homeward journey.
But the wind changed and it seemed to be a headwind no matter which direction theriders wereheading.
The first group contained Jason and Jen Buckland, Damian Buckley and Dave Delaland, with a four-minute head start from Mike Bakker with Elmer Buckland.
A minute later John Cranwell, Bruce McLaughlin and Phil Stasiw headed off, with a further two-minutes wait for Spek Peake, Craig Andrae, Patrick Langsmith and Harry Opperman to begin their chase.
They were followed in turn by Malcolm Tirabassi, Matthew Opperman, Jami Buckley and Riley Hill at nine minutes from the initial start, with Nick Kidman given the role of the back marker, leaving 45 seconds behind the previous group and tasked with catching and passing all riders ahead.
The pace from the very start was frenetic, with each group working hard to stay ahead of those behind them.
Out in front Deleland, Damian Buckley and Jen Buckland’s pace was too hot for Jason Buckland, who was dropped from his group before 7km had passed.
After battling a cold for most of the previous week, Harry Opperman was not able to continue his race and elected to return early.
By the halfway turn the group of three were still out in front, with Jason Buckland between them and the next group of Cranwell, McLaughlin, Stasiw, Elmer Buckland and Bakker who had joined forces.
The remaining groups worked hard, with Kidman unable to make much of a difference to his 45-second gap to the next bunch.
As the riders turned for home, Delaland made his solo breakaway, leaving his companions in his pursuit of possible glory.
Early riders were now finding the racing much harder on the return leg and groups were being gobbled up by the riders behind.
With 7km left to race, Jen Buckland and Damian Buckley were caught by the group behind, who then set about trying to reign in Deleland further ahead, which would occur with 3km to race.
The chasing groups had also blended with Langsmith, Hill, Matthew Opperman and Andrae holding off the relentless Kidman, who had joined forces with Jami Buckley and Peake.
In the sprint for the line, it was McLaughlin who timed his run best, leading home Delaland and Stasiw.
Kidman claimed the fastest time honours by just one second.
This Sunday’s race will return to the familiar Caves Road course for a slightly longer 30km course in preparation for the 35km Kidman Cup race in Coonawarra the following week.
