THE third race of the Mount Gambier Cycling Club Autumn/Winter Series attracted 12 riders on the weekend.
The 30km flat race went from the Overland Track at Glencoe, and finished at the Range Hill.
With junior riders in Ararat for the weekend, there was no preliminary Under 13 race held.
The first to leave in the main event were Jen and Jason Buckland, who had a five minute head start over John de Pree, Elmer Buckland, Mike Bakker, Don Sforcina and Bruce McLaughlin.
They were given a further seven minute head start over Craig Andrae, Patrick Langsmith, Gerard Coote and Dean Zeven.
Race two’s winner, Nick Kidman was the last to start, as he began five minutes after the last group and 17 minutes after the first two riders set off.
Each group worked together until the turnaround marker after 14kms.
Within two kilometres of the turnaround, the second group had caught the initial duo and Jen Buckland was able to latch onto the faster group as they rode past.
McLaughlin rode with Jason Buckland for the middle part of the race.
Andrae and Coote set off in pursuit of the riders ahead of Zeven and Langsmith.
As the riders turned onto Range Hill Road, each rider sought to find their own rhythm.
Elmer Buckland surged clear of his group as the hill gradient began to increase, while Sforcina fought hard to stay in touch.
Kidman began to catch the other riders as the road ramped up.
At the top of the hill, it was Elmer Buckland who claimed victory, 35 seconds ahead of Sforcina.
Bakker rounded out the top three 10 seconds behind Sforcina.
John de Pree finished fourth ahead of Nick Kidman, who claimed the fastest time honours after another strong race.
The next race is a 40km ride along the Caves Road course.
