The Mount Gambier Cycling Club ventured up to the Hundred line at Tarpeena for the third ride in their Summer Series.
It was a slightly different mix of riders within the 22 who signed on to race, with some of the Under 19 and Elite track riders participating in track racing in Adelaide over the weekend, creating new opportunities for riders to take fastest time honours.
A slight easterly breeze greeted the riders, requiring teamwork to limit the effect of the headwind, but with a promise of a tailwind for the return 12.5km journey.
In the junior race, Sean and Glenn Tye were given a 75 second headstart over Eddie Buckland for their 10km race. The Tye lads worked well together into a slight headwind to limit Buckland’s ability to catch them.
After they turned, Sean Tye started to put a gap between himself and brother Glenn, proving a more difficult task for the chasers to catch. Sean celebrated his second victory, with Buckland passing Glenn within sight of the finish line.
After chaperoning the Junior riders, rookie David Tye and Jason Buckland quickly caught their breath before joining with returning to racing Jonathon Kidman, Dianne Major, Ainsley Curtis and Damian Buckley as the first riders to leave in the club 25km race.
They were given a five minute lead before the first chasing group containing Jen Buckland, Dave Delaland, Rick Heaver and Justyna Grosse were allowed to begin their chase.
A further two minutes later, Elmer Buckland, Troy Mustey and John de Pree set off for their race.
With nine minutes on the clock, John Cranwell, Patrick Langsmith and Liam Fielding began chase.
The final bunch was allowed to start their chase a further two minutes later, with those vying for fastest time containing Spek Peake, Dean Zeven, Craig Andre, Phil Stasiw, Jami Buckley and Malcolm Tirabassi.
Out in front, the group of six riders worked hard together to try and maintain as much of a gap for as long as possible over the riders chasing behind.
By the turnaround mark all riders were within 3km of each other, with the chasing scratch bunch beginning to catch riders ahead of them.
After working together on the outward leg, the promised tailwind lessened in intensity, making the return journey for the groups a little harder.
A quick acceleration on the return leg split the first group, with David Tye and Damian Buckley creating a gap over the chasers.
They continued to ride away with David Tye (48:42) taking his maiden win ahead of Damian Buckley. Jason Buckland rounded out the podium, followed by Curtis, Major and Kidman.
The scratch bunch had caught and passed all but the first bunch, with their final sprint coming 20 seconds after Kidman had crossed the line.
Jami Buckley won the bunch sprint, giving him Fastest Time honours (50:39 race time, 39:39 elapsed), followed by a large group fronted by Langsmith, Andre and Peake.
The race went ahead thanks to volunteers Bruce McLaughlin, Nick Kidman and Carl Smith, while the series continues next weekend at Tantanoola, among the picturesque wind farm and Lake Bonney.
