THE Mount Gambier Cycling Club headed out to Tarpeena for Round 3 of the Summer Series on Sunday.
A slightly different mix of riders made up the 22 who signed on to race, with some of the Under 19 and Elite track riders participating in track racing in Adelaide, which provided new opportunities for fastest time honours.
A slight easterly breeze greeted the riders, requiring teamwork to limit the effect of the headwind, but with a promise of a tailwind for the return 12.5km journey.
In the Junior race, Sean and Glenn Tye were given a 75-second head start over Eddie Buckland for their 10km race.
The Tye lads worked well together into a slight headwind to limit Eddie’s ability to catch them.
After they turned, Sean started to put a gap between himself and Glenn, proving a more difficult task for the chasers.
Sean duly celebrated his second victory, with Eddie passing Glenn within sight of the finish line to split the brothers.
After chaperoning the Junior riders, David Tye – in his first race – and Jason Buckland caught their breath before joining with Jonathon Kidman, Dianne Major, Ainsley Curtis and Damian Buckley as the first riders to leave in the club 25km race.
They were given a five-minute lead before the first chasing group containing Jen Buckland, Dave Delaland, Rick Heaver and Justyna Grosse were allowed to begin their chase.
A further two minutes later, Elmer Buckland, Troy Mustey and John de Pree set off for their race.
With nine minutes on the clock, John Cranwell, Patrick Langsmith and Liam Fielding began their chase.
The final bunch was allowed to begin their chase a further two minutes later, with those vying for fastest time containing Spek Peake, Dean Zeven, Craig Andre, Phil Stasiw, Jami Buckley and Malcolm Tirabassi.
Out in front, the group of six riders worked hard together to try and maintain as much of a gap for as long as possible.
By the turnaround mark all riders were within three kilometres of each other, with the chasing scratch bunch beginning to catch riders ahead.
After working well together on the outward leg, the promised tailwind lessened in intensity, making the return journey for the groups a little harder.
A quick acceleration split the first group, with David Tye and Damian Buckley creating a gap over the chasers.
They continued to ride away with Tye (48:42) taking his maiden win ahead of Buckley.
Jason Buckland rounded out the podium, followed by Ainsley Curtis, Di Major and Jonathon Kidman.
The scratch bunch had caught and passed all but the first bunch, with their final sprint coming 20 seconds after Kidman had crossed the line.
Jami Buckley won the bunch sprint, giving him fastest time honours – 50:39 race time, 39:39 elapsed.
This weekend will see racing at Tantanoola, among the picturesque wind farm and Lake Bonney.
