A CLEAR and calm day greeted the riders who participated in the ninth race of the Mount Gambier Cycling Club’s Summer series on the weekend.
Action began with a 10km junior handicap race, with five riders racing in groups of three, shadowed by chaperones.
Glenn Tye was first to start and had a six-minute head start over Molly Opperman, Sean Tye and Xavier Farmilo.
Ethan McKenny was the final rider to depart and began 90 seconds after the group of three.
After being turned at the 5km mark, the riders struck out for the finish line, continuing to work hard to catch those ahead of them.
As they crossed the finish line, Glenn Tye still enjoyed a 40-second gap over Opperman, who had managed to ride away from Sean Tye and Farmilo, followed by Ethan McKenny.
Following the completion of the junior race, 17 riders prepared for their 30km handicap.
Jason Buckland, Dianne Major and Damian Buckley were the first away and had a nine-minute head-start.
They were followed by Dave Delaland, Dave Tye, Jen Buckland, McKenny, Don Sforcina and John Cranwell.
Dean Zeven and Spek Peake were next away and started three minutes after the second group.
The next group to leave consisted of Colin Weatherill and Malcolm Tirabassi, who waited another five minutes before their chance to chase.
The final group departed three minutes later and consisted of Scott Waters, Jami Buckley, Dave Bryant and Craig Andrae.
The riders were working into a very slight headwind on their outward leg to the turnaround but the speeds were generally kept high as the riders worked together to provide periods of power and rest within their groups.
However, the pace proved too high for Andrae who was consigned to the lonely ride out the back after being dropped from the final group within the first 10km.
After the groups hit the halfway mark, the pace increased as the riders enjoyed a slight tailwind back towards the finish line.
With 4km left, the first group was caught by Dave Tye, Delaland, Jen Buckland, Sforcina, McKenny and Cranwell.
The pace of the group proved too strong for the other chasing riders and in the sprint to the line, McKenny took home the victory.
He was followed by Dave Tye, Delaland and John Cranwell.
There was then a slight hap to Jen Buckland, Sforcina, Jason Buckland, Major and Damian Buckley.
In the battle of the fastest riders, Jami Buckley crossed the line ahead of Waters, Bryant, Weatherill and Tirabassi.
They were then followed shortly after by Peake and Zeven.
After continuing on to battle to the end, Andrae completed his race to cheers of the supporters and racers who had remained to see all finishers.
The road racing will take a back seat next weekend as the club ventures into the pines for a CX/Gravel/Mountain bike race which will see riders race multiple laps around a 5km course.
