The Mount Gambier Cycling Club continued its Spring Series with a 20km handicap race held on the relatively flat, open Attamurra Road.
The wind can play havoc with this race, so the riders were thankful the wind and rain of last weekend were replaced with relatively calm and clear conditions.
Fifteen riders nominated and signed on for the race, with the handicapper trying to keep the number of riders in each group high.
In just his second road race, Martin Farmilo was the first rider away, tasked with a 20km solo effort to try and keep away from the more experienced riders behind.
The second group away, including Molly Opperman, Xavier Farmilo, Jen Buckland and Troy Mustey, had to wait eight minutes before they could begin their chase, with the next group containing Elmer Buckland, Spek Peake, Chris Neave, Ethan McKenny, Mike Bakker and Niel van Niekerk starting just two minutes later.
The final group consisting of Patrick Langsmith, Craig Andrae, Rob Mann and Matthew Opperman waited a further four minutes before beginning their chase, some 14 minutes after Martin set off.
With the wind light, riders worked hard towards the turnaround point with little respite.
Out in front, Martin was making strong headway and was still well in front of the other riders by the halfway mark.
The group containing Elmer, Ethan, Spek, Mike, Niel and Chris caught and passed the group ahead of them before the halfway mark, with Molly, Jen, Troy and Xavier continuing to work hard together.
At the back of the race, Rob, Matthew, Patrick and Craig were doing their best to decrease the margin to the riders ahead and were slowly catching up.
After feeling like they were riding into the wind on the way out, the riders were nonplussed to find the wind was calm enough that it felt like they were still riding into the wind on the way back.
The pace increased as the riders continued to try and chase down Martin out in front, with some riders losing touch with their group.
Martin continued to ride strongly and managed to keep out in front, crossing the line with an 18 second margin before Niel van Niekerk bested Elmer Buckland in the sprint for second to round out the podium.
Ethan McKenny was the next to finish, then Spek Peake, who crossed the finish line ahead of the fastest rider of the day Patrick Langsmith, with Craig Andrae close behind.
Next came Mike Bakker, Rob Mann, Matthew Opperman and Chris Neave, followed by the group who remained intact throughout the whole race with Troy Mustey edging out Molly Opperman, Xavier Farmilo and Jen Buckland for group honours.
