After a small break over the Christmas/New Year period, road racing once again returned to the roads around Mount Gambier on Sunday.
The first race of the Mount Gambier Cycling Club Summer series was held in predictably hot weather, with the committee deciding to begin the racing half an hour earlier to try and avoid the major heat of the day.
In the junior race, Glenn and Sean Tye were welcomed for their first race.
The decision was made for Glenn and Sean Tye, Molly Opperman and Eddie Buckland to ride together for the first part of the ride, ensuring everyone was comfortable riding in a bunch and understanding some of the finer points of road racing.
After 5km the riders turned around and began their return effort to the finish line.
Sean Tye initially joined the breakaway from Opperman and Buckland, but was unable to maintain the pace for the full journey, dropping back to ride with Glenn.
Opperman took the victory ahead of Buckland, followed by Sean and Glenn Tye, while Nick Kidman kindly rode with the Juniors and passed on his experience to the younger riders.
A total of 26 riders signed up for the 25km Senior race, with a number of new and returning riders for the Summer Series.
Along with the hot weather, the riders had to contend with a reasonable North-easterly breeze which would make the outward leg difficult, with the hope of a favourable tailwind on the return leg.
First riders to greet the Commissaire were Louise Abraham (making the trek from Portland) and debutant Dianne Major.
They had at least 10 minutes head start on the next group of riders, consisting of the returning Rick Heaver, rookie Ainsley Curtis, plus the more experienced Damian Buckley and Jason Buckland.
A further six minutes back was the next group of Mark Brooksby, Dave Delaland and Jen Buckland, while Elmer Buckland, Mike Bakker, John DePree and Troy Mustey were allowed to begin their chase of the leaders shortly after.
A further three minutes later the group of Phil Stasiw, Craig Andre, Spek Peake and Dean Zeven were given their starting orders, followed by Rob Mann, Matthew Opperman, Harry Opperman, Riley Hill, Jami Buckley and Niel van Niekerk.
Finally, 29 minutes after the first group had begun their race, the dynamic duo of Dave Bryant and Kidman began their chase to the front of the race.
The outward leg into the wind proved quite difficult for many of the riders, with a couple of riders losing connection with their groups and finding themselves with a long journey to the finish line.
Out in front the breakaway group were wondering what the fuss regarding the wind was about, and powered toward the turnaround point.
They still enjoyed most of their lead over the next group, still 8:30 ahead, while the rest were slowly catching the groups ahead of them, making note of where they could see them on their return leg.
Kidman and Bryant were pushing hard, making up 11 minutes of their handicap by the return leg, but with 18 minutes still to make up.
Average speeds were certainly much higher on the return leg as riders enjoyed a strong tailwind pushing them towards the line.
Abraham and Major continued to ride strongly out in front and were never headed in their race to the finish line.
Major won the sprint to the line, closely followed by Abraham after a finely executed ride.
The other groups were in the sights of those behind them and a strong push with 2km to go allowed Curtis to take the final podium position ahead of Jason Buckland.
Damian Buckley and Rick Heaver just managed to hold off the fast-finishing Stasiw, Peake, Andre, with Zeven finishing 10th.
Kidman took out fastest time honours, catching up 17 of the 29 minutes head start, giving the handicapper some food for thought.
Malcolm Tirabassi gave up his race in order to assist at the turnaround for both races, while Tina Opperman did the duties as our Commissaire.
The series continues with a 25km race along the Caves Road course this Sunday.
