With the forecast early in the week predicting high temperatures on Sunday, the Mount Gambier Cycling Club Committee elected to change the race route for this week from Tantanoola to the regular Caves Road course and begin slightly earlier than usual to avoid any extreme weather.
It did not dampen the enthusiasm of the racers who nominated, with 29 senior riders lining up for the 25km race.
The forecast north-westerly wind had arrived for the race, so the riders would enjoy a tailwind run down to the turnaround mark, but a headwind on the return journey.
Four junior riders began the racing with a 10km handicap race fronted by Glenn Tye.
He began with a 90 second gap between himself and the duo of Sean Tye and Eddie Buckland.
They were to be chased in turn by Molly Opperman who began her chase after a further 60 seconds had elapsed.
It only took 4km for it to become apparent that Opperman was in the zone and it was not to be Glenn Tye’s day.
At the turnaround mark, Opperman had already caught and passed the other three riders and set off in search of the finish line.
After initially trying to hold Opperman’s wheel for as long as possible, Sean Tye and Buckland set themselves for a final sprint to determine the podium placings.
Sean Tye led Buckland over the line, followed by Glenn Tye.
Following the junior race, the first bunch prepared to set off to provide something for the other riders to chase and leading the way was Jonathon Kidman, Ainsley Curtis, Dianne Major, Louise Abraham, Damian Buckley and Jason Buckland.
After some strong performances in previous weeks they were given just a three minute headstart over the chasing group.
The remaining groups were progressively given the starting orders for the next 13 minutes until Nick Kidman was released riding solo from the rear.
Speeds were high for all riders on the outward leg, taking advantage of the tailwind.
Most groups were able to maintain their cohesion, but unfortunately for Jen Buckland and Rick Heaver, they were unable to hold on to the rest of their group over the initial bumps, then trying to latch on to the faster packs chasing them down.
Chris O’Donnell also found the energy gel he consumed before the race disagreed with him and had to withdraw from the race.
At the turnaround, the limit riders were able to turn first, but the chasing trio of Justyna Grosse, Troy Mustey and Mike Bakker were close behind.
The combination of the headwind and the arrival of the next group split the limit group apart, with Curtas and Major on to the train with 11km remaining in the race, while Jonathon Kidman, Jason Buckland, Major and Abraham tried to minimise their losses.
The groups were coming together with approximately 5km to go, when Elmer Buckland unfortunately clipped the wheel of the rider ahead of him and fell.
Managing to keep clear of the chasing riders, he suffered some grazing and was given first aid at the site by some riders and the follow car who stopped to render assistance.
For many of the riders, the race continued, with combined groups working to chase down the five riders in front.
Unfortunately for them the gap was just a little too large, with Bakker (48:57) taking out the victory ahead of Grosse and Mustey.
Damian Buckley managed to hold off the chasing hordes, finishing ahead of Harry Opperman, Patrick Langsmith, Nathan Rokebrand and Craig Andre, who caught Ainsley Curtis in the run to the finish.
Gerard Coote rounded out the top 10 before Nick Kidman finished ahead of Riley Hill and Matthew Opperman, taking out fastest time of 38:15.
Next weekend’s race is anticipated to be run at Glencoe, with a hilltop finish on Range hill expected to favour the lighter riders.
