AFTER poor weather postponed the Alex Bailey Memorial last weekend, 15 riders signed up for the next race on the Mount Gambier Cycling Club calendar on the weekend.
The 30km race on an out-and-back course along Attamurra Road included a tough headwind at the start and a tailwind for the journey home.
The first group of riders to leave included Bruce McLaughlin, Jen Buckland and Jason Buckland, followed six minutes later by Mike Bakker, John De Pree and Troy Mustey.
Dean Zeven and Elmer Buckland had another four minutes to wait, followed three minutes later by Patrick Langsmith and Phil Stasiw.
The second-last group, just one minute later, consisted of Gerard Coote and Riley Hill, before the fastest group containing Matthew Opperman, Jami Buckley and Craig Andrae began the chase, a further three minutes later.
The head wind on the outward leg made the going difficult as each of the groups tried to maintain their pace ahead of the chasers.
By the time the riders turned for home, the fatigue in their legs meant some were not able to increase the pace as much as others.
Out in front Jen Buckland and McLaughlin tried to hold onto their lead, while being chased by Bakker and De Pree.
In the end it came down to the final sprint, with Buckland holing on for the win, ahead of McLaughlin, with De Pree and Bakker following.
Opperman claimed the fastest time.
The club will now have another break from racing for the school holidays, before a 25km race at the familiar Caves Road course on October 23.
