Riders from the Mount Gambier Cycling Club travelled up the highway to Maaoupe for their Christmas race.

The event also doubled as the Kidman Cup, one of the highlight races held throughout the year.

Near perfect weather conditions greeted the early arrivals, with a slight northerly breeze and lovely early summer weather.

However, just as the race was about to begin, a few drops of rain heralded a damper race than was expected.

Nevertheless, the 11 riders who had signed on for this 35km handicapped race on a near-flat out and back course along Maaoupe Road behind Coonawarra, prepared themselves for the race.

First riders away were Jen and Jason Buckland, working together to try and stay away from the stronger riders chasing behind.

The next group of riders, consisting of John Cranwell, Spek Peake and Phil McGee (a former MGCC rider now based in the Murraylands who had come down for the race) had to wait 11 minutes before they could begin their chase.

After a further 4 minute wait, Elmer Buckland and Phil Stasiw began their chase of the leaders, while another 3 minutes had to pass before Patrick Langsmith and Craig Andrae were given their starting orders.

Finally, just 1 minute later, Nick Kidman and Jami Buckley (recently returned from a successful state track titles and named in the SA squad for the U17 National Track Championships) were allowed to begin their chase of all riders ahead of them.

A slight headwind on the outward leg made the flat course feel like a slight incline, but riders were making good headway as they pressed on towards the 17.5km turnaround marker.

Out in front Jen and Jason were making use of their generous advantage to reach the turnaround first, whilst Cranwell had broken free of his group to try and stay in front of the chasers.

With 20km to go, Kidman and Jami had caught both groups ahead of them, with all six then settling in to catch the riders ahead.

One by one the groups were picked off, until, with 5km to the finish line, they caught and passed Jen and Jason.

The pace did not let up once they were in front, with all riders keeping the speed high to try and negate the sprinting prowess at the end.

As they neared the final 300 metres, Jami opened up the final sprint with Elmer on his wheel and Craig boxed in slightly.

Jami Buckley was able to maintain his momentum to cross the finish line in 1st place (also taking fastest time honours), half a bike length ahead of Elmer Buckland, followed by Andrae, Langsmith, Kidman and Stasiw.

After them came Jen Buckland, Jason Buckland, Cranwell, McGee and Peake.

Riders and spectators were then hosted by John and Heather Kidman of Banks Thargo Wines, enjoying a barbecue dinner and great fellowship as they congratulated the winners of the race.

As this race was the final race in the Kidman Law Spring Series, the podium winners for the series were also congratulated, with Jami Buckley finishing 1st, Jen Buckland 2nd and Elmer Buckland 3rd.

Amber Kidman, representing Kidman Law, was on hand to congratulate the winners.