Mount Gambier Cycling Club riders made the trek up to Penola last weekend for the Banks Thargo Wines Cup 35km race along the flat course of Maaoupe Road.
Some racers took advantage of the Saturday afternoon start time by riding from the Blue Lake City to the start line as a warm up, but it was a decision some came to rue later in the main event.
A total of 20 riders signed up, which allowed for some large groups to be formed.
On a glorious sunny day, Michael Dethmore and debutant Riley Hill were the first riders to hit the road, followed by Jen Buckland, Stuart Miller, Phil McGee, Harry Opperman and Brady Dethmore, who took up the chase five minutes behind.
The next group was further seven minutes back and consisted of John Cranwell, Mike Bakker, Paul Brooker, Bruce McLaughlin and Spek Peake.
Another two groups were staggered by one-minute intervals, while Nick Kidman, Matthew Opperman and Dave Bryant were the final bunch 18 minutes back.
All groups worked hard into a slight headwind for the outward journey, with the faster groups eating quickly into the lead.
A large peloton consisting of the back four groups had formed after the turnaround, but a crash with approximately 10km to go took away some of the hard chargers and the front racers were able to stay away.
After an excellent ride on a borrowed bike, Hill powered away from Michael Dethmore to take the win.
The pair was followed into third by Harry Opperman, Cranwell and Brooker.
As a result of the crash, Richard Schilling, Niel Van Niekirk and Kidman were unable to finish the race.
The Junior club riders made a welcome return to the road for a 15km race as a prelude to the main event.
The six riders were a mix from the Under 11, Under 13 and Under 15 age groups and relished the opportunity to race on the flat course.
First to begin were Kirra Harpham and Eddie Buckland, who were given a four-minute head start of Freya Miller and Molly Opperman, while the final group of Jamison Buckley and Elmer Buckland began the chase a further three minutes behind.
By the halfway turnaround, the frontrunners had been caught by the second group with Eddie
Buckland trying to hold on, while the final pair rode strong.
The race came down to a sprint between Molly Opperman and Miller.
Molly Opperman took the chocolate, while Buckley Jamison finished strongly with the fastest time.
