WITH the forecast early in the week predicting high temperatures on Sunday, the Mount Gambier Cycling Club committee elected to change the race route from Tantanoola to the regular Caves Road course and begin earlier than usual to avoid any extreme weather.
It did not dampen the enthusiasm of the racers who nominated, with 29 senior riders lining up for the 25km race.
The forecast north-westerly wind had arrived for the race, so the riders would enjoy a tail wind run down to the turnaround mark, but a head wind on the return journey.
Four junior riders began the racing with a 10km handicap race.
Glenn Tye was the first rider to leave, beginning with a 90-second gap between himself and the duo of Sean Tye and Eddie Buckland.
They were to be chased in turn by Molly Opperman who began after a further 60 seconds had elapsed.
Only 4km into the race it became apparent Opperman was in the zone and it was not to be Glenn Tye’s day.
At the turnaround mark Opperman had already caught and passed the other three riders and set off in search of the finish line.
After initially trying to hold her wheel for as long as possible, Sean Tye and Buckland set themselves for a final sprint to determine the podium placings, with Tye leading Buckland over the line, followed by Glenn Tye.
Following the junior race, the first senior bunch prepared to set off to provide something for the other riders to chase.
Leading the way was Jonathon Kidman, Ainsley Curtis, Dianne Major, Louise Abraham, Damian Buckley and Jason Buckland.
After some strong performances in previous weeks they were given just a three-minute head start over the chasing group of Jen Buckland, Rick Heaver, Troy Mustey, Mike Bakker, Justyna Grosse and Chris O’Donnell.
They were followed two minutes later by Mick Childs and Elmer Buckland, then a four-minute gap until the group containing Bruce McLaughlin, Gerard Coote, Liam Fielding, John Cranwell and Nathan Rokebrand began their chase.
A minute later Spek Peake, Harry Opperman, Phil Stasiw, Patrick Langsmith and Craig Andre began their race, followed two minutes later by Rob Mann, Jami Buckley, Riley Hill and Matthew Opperman, with Nick Kidman riding solo from the rear a further minute later, 13 minutes after the first riders had set off.
Speeds were high for all riders on the outward leg, taking advantage of the tail wind.
Most groups were able to maintain their cohesion, but unfortunately for Jen Buckland and Heaver, they were unable to hold on to the rest of their group over the initial bumps but tried to latch on to the faster packs chasing.
O’Donnell also found the energy gel he consumed before the race disagreed with him and had to withdraw.
At the turnaround, the limit riders were able to turn first, but the chasing trio of Grosse, Mustey and Bakker were close behind.
The combination of the headwind and the arrival of the next group split the limit group apart, with Curtis and Damian Buckley latching on to the train with 11km remaining in the race.
The groups were coming together with approximately 5km to go, when Elmer Buckland unfortunately clipped the wheel of the rider ahead of him and fell.
Managing to keep clear of the chasing riders, he had some grazing and was given first aid at the site by some riders and the follow car.
For many of the riders the race continued, with combined groups working to chase down the five riders in front.
However, the gap was just a little too large, with Bakker (48:57) taking the victory ahead of Grosse and Mustey.
Nick Kidman claimed fastest time (51:15 elapsed, 38:15 race time).
This weekend’s race is anticipated to be run at Glencoe, with a hilltop finish on Range Hill expected to favour the lighter riders.
