Race five of the Mount Gambier Cycling Club’s Kidman Law series was a 30km Handicap held at Glencoe on the Overland Track and finishing with a climb to the top of Mile Hill Road.
The senior race was preceded by five junior riders completing a 10km out and back course along the Overland.
Glenn Tye was first away with a four minute lead over Molly Opperman who was followed one minute later by Sean Tye with Ethan McKenny and Charlie Jenkin two minutes after that.
Light rain hindered the riders who had a slight tailwind out, but upon being turned by Tina Opperman they faced a head wind to the finish.
Molly used her experience and caught and passed Glenn and stayed away to complete the win.
Sean finished second and Ethan third to complete the podium while Charlie and Glenn came home in fourth and fifth place respectively.
All the juniors were chaperoned by senior riders to assist with their education in road events.
The rain had stopped when the first of the 19 senior riders started with Dianne Major and Shane Kennett having a 17 minute start over the next group of Bruce McLaughlin, David Tye, Jen Buckland and Ethan McKenny after recovering from his junior event.
Two minutes later saw Dean Zeven, Mike Bakker and Spek Peake leave, being chased after a further two minutes by Gerard Coote and Colin Weatherill.
Four minutes elapsed before Elmer Buckland, Patrick Langsmith, Matthew Opperman, Craig Andrae and Niel Van Niekerk left the starter.
Some 27 minutes after the first riders left, scratch riders Nick Kidman, Chris Kennett and Jami Buckley started their chase.
Assisted by a tail wind on the outward journey, riders were attaining high speeds in their endeavour to catch the bunches in front of them.
At the turn, gaps had closed with the stronger riders making gains on the front runners.
The group of Elmer, Patrick, Matthew, Craig and Niel were caught by Nick and Chris, with Jami being distanced.
These strong riders worked into the head wind catching groups and individual riders as they headed back to the start position.
With the pace set by Nick, Matthew, Chris and Niel, Elmer, Patrick and Craig were left behind and other riders were unable to ride at the speed of this group and were distanced.
Gerard suffered a puncture which finished his race while Colin continued on alone.
Di and Shane were still at the front of the race and approaching the last kilometre and a half climb to the finish, but this was where their shot at glory finished.
With the constant hard pace being set by Nick and assisted by Niel, Matthew and Chris were dropped at the bottom of the hill and continual hard riding by Nick saw him distance Niel with about 500 metres to the line.
Finishing in a time of 1.13.01, this gave Nick first and fastest with Niel a strong second and Matthew third.
Di battled to the end for fourth with Shane, Chris, Colin, Dean, Craig and Elmer rounding out the top 10.
Spek, Patrick, Jami, Mike, Dave, Ethan, Bruce and Jen were followed in by the chase car to complete a hard day on the bike.
Thanks to Deb Lang and Tina Opperman for their assistance with turning the riders and follow cars.
Riders, officials and supporters retired to the Glencoe shops for coffee, cake and refreshments.
The MGCC would like to thank the Kennett family for travelling from Hamilton to compete in and support the races held by the club; it is much appreciated.
Next event is a 36km event to be held at the Yahl circuit on Sunday.
