Windy conditions met the Mt Gambier Cycling Club riders for their race on Caves Road on Sunday.

A strong South-Easterly made life difficult for the six groups competing in the traditional handicap 20km race.

A total of 18 racers greeted the starter with the limit group of Michael Dethmore, Jami Buckley, Jen Buckland and Jason Buckland starting off with a two-minute gap to Harry Opperman and Brady Dethmore.

The spirited trio of Mike Bakker, John Cranwell and Spek Peake were next to begin a further two minutes behind followed by Niel Van Niekirk and Bruce McLaughlin.

After nine minutes had already elapsed on the clock, the group of Rob Mann, Gerard Coote and Colin Weatherill started the chase followed by the final group of Matthew Opperman, Ash Herrewyn, Dave Bryant and Nick Kidman a further two minutes behind.

As the racers neared the half-way mark, the front group was reduced to Michael Dethmore and Jen Buckland, while the trio of Bakker, Peake and Cranwell closed to within one minute.

With 5km to go, Cranwell and Bakker had caught the remainder of the limit group and continued to power towards the finish line.

Cranwell won the sprint for the line in front of Bakker after 41 minutes and 40 seconds on the clock.

The scratch group finished only 12 seconds further back, with Nick Kidman taking third place and the fastest time for the race followed by Bryant, Matthew Opperman, Van Niekirk, Mann, Coote and Herrewyn.

Unfortunately, hard luck stories were experienced by Brady Dethmore and Harry Opperman, who were unable to complete the course.