A race for the ages in summer series

McKenny starting to make his mark in road racing

The 7th race of the Kidman Law Summer Series was held on the long weekend, which meant that a few of the usual riders were missing from the race.

It was a 30km race along Caves Road with a difference, moving the start line 10km closer to the border and having the turnaround at the entry to Donovans township.

This meant that the middle 10km through Dry Creek had significantly more elevation changes than the usual races, and had the potential to play havoc with the groups.

There were not enough junior riders available for a junior race, but 18 riders greeted the commissaire and signed on for the race.

The bad luck story of the day went to Dean Zeven, who had a gearing issue which meant he could not even make the start line. First rider away, trying to solo ahead of everyone else, was Jason Buckland.

He was given a seven minute advantage over a group containing Ethan McKenny, John Cranwell, Michael Dethmore and Jen Buckland, followed a further five minutes later by Spek Peake, Mark Wight and Mike Bakker.

After another six minutes had elapsed the next group consisting of Elmer Buckland, Scott Waters, Colin Weatherill and Gerard Coote were allowed to begin their chase, followed three minutes later by Matthew Opperman, Patrick Langsmith, Craig Andrae and Jami Buckley, before finally, a further minute later, Nick Kidman began his chase of all other racers ahead of him.

The first 10km of the race were relatively uneventful, but by the time of the turnaround marker, some of the riders lost contact with their group as the dips and hills came into play.

John, Michael and Ethan had caught and passed Jason by this time, as Nick had also caught and passed Patty, Craig, Jami and Matthew on his quest to catch the rest. Following the turnaround, another 5km of dips and climbs separated the riders further, with the stronger, lighter riders coming to the fore.

As the riders crested the final hill, the finish line came into view, but there were still 2.5km to ride before the chequered flag could be flown.

Ethan McKenny showed that he is a young rider with a future by beating John Cranwell to the line, followed by Scott Waters, and then Nick Kidman, just three minutes shy of catching all the other riders.

They were followed by Michael Dethmore, Spek Peake, Gerard Coote, Jami Buckley, Mike Bakker, Matthew Opperman, Elmer Buckland, Mark Wight, Jen Buckland, Colin Weatherill, Craig Andrae, Patrick Langsmith, and, finally, Jason Buckland.

A RACE FOR THE AGES: (Right top & bottom) Youngest rider Ethan McKenny claimed the Summer Series racce, from the field’s oldest rider John Cranwell.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MICHELLE MCKENNY