The second race of the Mount Gambier Cycling Club’s spring series was held over 30km along an out-and-back course on Attamurra Road on Sunday.
The numbers were bolstered this week with the addition of two young riders who are part of the Limestone Coast Track Academy, getting a feel for road racing.
Fifteen riders nominated before the handicappers got to work trying to organise some starting gaps to try and ensure the racers crossed the line in a relatively tight group.
The first riders away were Matilda Clark and Amelia Milne together with Matthew Opperman who rode with them as their racing coach.
They were followed five minutes later by Martin Farmilo, then a further eight minutes elapsed before Phil Stasiw, Spek Peake and Tegan Kuhl began their race.
A two minute gap awaited Sandra Parsons, John Cranwell and Troy Mustey, then a further two minute gap to Rob Mann (taking up his role as mentor and coach for the young riders), Craig Andrae, Ethan McKenny and Xavier Farmilo.
Last, faced with a long and difficult chase, was Jami Buckley, a further six minutes back, and 23 minutes behind the initial racers.
Speeds were slightly higher as the groups enjoyed the benefit of a slight tailwind on the way to the turnaround mark, with Matilda, Amelia and Matthew still in front at the halfway mark.
Martin was slowly making ground to the leading group, but behind him Phil, Tegan and Spek were only just ahead of John, Sandra and Troy, who were about to be caught by Craig, Xavier, Ethan and Rob.
Jami was finding the solo ride quite tough, and without someone to share the load was starting to tire from his efforts.
As the group containing Rob, Craig, Xavier and Ethan came past, Spek, Tegan and Phil were able to hold onto their wheels.
With 6km to go in the race the leading group were caught by the group of seven, but were unable to increase their pace to hold on.
With the finish line almost in sight, riders tried to take an opportunity to strike out alone for the line but were ultimately thwarted by the younger legs of Xavier Farmilo as he backed up last week’s win with another victory, closely followed over the line by Ethan McKenny.
Rob Mann completed the podium positions, closely followed by Spek Peake and Tegan Kuhl, then Craig Andrae and Phil Stasiw.
Sandra Parsons was next to cross the line, followed by Troy Mustey, then in a sprint to the line Matilda Clark just outlasted a fast-finishing Amelia Milne, followed by Matthew Opperman, John Cranwell, Martin Farmilo and Jami Buckley.
With the benefit of the group working with him, Xavier was able to also claim fastest time honours and should be expecting a much tougher handicap when next he races.
Following the race, Rob asked to be classified as a non-finisher, bringing Spek Peake up to third place.
The next race in the Spring Series, to be held on October 27, will be a 30km out-and-back race along Caves Road, starting at Mount Sinai Road and including the lumps around Dry Creek and into Donovans.
