THE final race of the Mount Gambier Cycling Club’s summer series was held along the Caves Road 25km course in glorious weather, with light northerly winds keeping riders honest on the return leg.
A field of 21 riders signed on for the ninth race of the series, with the overall victory still up for grabs at the race start.
With handicaps set, four groups left the start line, with Nick Kidman taking up the rear, 12.5 minutes behind the starting group.
Taking advantage of the slight tailwind on the outward leg to the turnaround point, most groups stuck together well.
The second group on the road worked strongly and were able to catch the leading riders within the first 10km, with Jen Buckland, Jonathan Kidman, David Tye and Chris Hunt increasing their speed to keep up with them as they passed.
However, Tye was not able to maintain the pace and dropped back to work with Jason Buckland and Dianne Major.
The larger group of eight riders arrived at the turnaround point first and continued working strongly into the slight headwind on the return journey.
Further back the chasers continued to rein in the groups ahead of them in hopes of catching them on the final straight.
Phil Stasiw, Craig Andre and Harry Opperman were caught by Jami Buckley, Rob Mann and Matthew Opperman on the return leg, with Stasiw and Andre able to latch on to the faster riders as they passed.
The team of Dean Zevan, Spek Peake and Bruce McLaughlin caught the leading riders with just over a kilometre to go as everyone set their sights on the finish line.
Over the final rise and into the last 500 metres, Peake thought he was providing a lead out for the faster riders behind but managed to stay in front and take the victory.
Elmer Buckland crossed the line in second place ahead of Zeven who rounded out the podium.
Back marker Nick Kidman crossed the line in 15th position but posted the fastest time for the day.
For their final race of the series, the Junior Under 13 riders rode together for the first 5km before they turned and raced for home in a 5km scratch race.
Sean Tye and Molly Opperman rode strongly together, with the former finishing just in front of Opperman, while Glenn Tye rode his own race to finish third.
Following the day’s racing riders returned to the clubrooms for a sausage sizzle and anticipated points count.
After the points from the final race of the series were tallied and Elmer Buckland emerged the summer series winner and received the Dowdell Family Trophy from club life member Allan Dowdell.
Elmer Buckland’s second place finish in the final race was enough to leapfrog Stasiw and Damian Buckley to take home the trophy.
The Autumn/Winter Series begins for the club next weekend with a 25km race starting at the normal turnaround marker on Caves Road and heading into Donovans to provide a variation on a familiar route.
