On what was a perfect day for a ride, let alone a race, 14 riders signed on for the sixth Mount Gambier Cycling Club race in the Kidman Law Spring Series.
The race was a 30 kilometre handicap out and back along Attamurra Road.
Once again the slight wind was favourable, becoming a tailwind for the latter part of the race.
One of the benefits of handicapped racing is that it allows for riders of varied abilities the opportunity to race for the victory.
First riders away were Jason Buckland, Jen Buckland and Damian Buckley, with an 11-minute head start over John Cranwell, Spek Peake and Elmer Buckland.
They were followed two minutes later by Patrick Langsmith, Gerard Coote and Colin Weatherill.
Another four minutes elapsed before Niel van Niekerk, Jami Buckley, Craig Andrae and Matthew Opperman were allowed to begin their chase, a further minute ahead of Nick Kidman.
The slight headwind on the outward leg kept the riders honest, working with each other in the group to get a slight rest from the breeze while keeping the pace high.
By the 10 kilometre mark the group containing Langsmith, Coote and Weatherill had already caught the group ahead of them, with Elmer, Cranwell and Peake joining onto the back and working hard.
At the turnaround, Damian, Jen and Jason were holding onto their lead, though the gap had diminished, and were looking to use the tailwind to their advantage on the way back.
With approximately 6 kilometres of the race remaining, Jason was unable to hold onto the wheels of his bunch and slowly dropped behind, while Jen and Damian pressed on to try and hold off the chasing riders.
As they neared the final 1500 metres, the straight run from Mingbool Road to the finish at Sherwin Road the race was on.
Buckley timed his sprint to perfection to edge out Jen Buckland on the line, less than 500 metres ahead of the sprinting bunches behind.
With speeds reaching in excess of 55kph the faster riders powered past Jason, contesting for the final spot on the podium.
Weatherill won that sprint, just ahead of Langsmith, Coote, Cranwell and Elmer Buckland, then van Niekerk, Opperman, Jason Buckland, Jami Buckley, Andrae, Kidman (fastest race time) and Peake.
