Bakker shows good pace to secure victory

Mount Gambier Cycling Club returns to competition

Glorious spring weather greeted the riders who suited up for their return to racing after a winter hiatus.

The first race of the season was to be a 30km race along the familiar out-and-back Caves Road course, followed by a shared morning tea at the clubrooms to celebrate Fathers Day.

Twelve riders nominated and signed on for this race, separated into four groups by the handicapper.

First riders away were Jen Buckland and Mike Bakker, given a healthy 10 minute head start over a large group including Craig Andrae, Ethan McKenny, John Cranwell, Elmer Buckland and Spek Peake.

They, in turn, had a four minute gap over the group containing Malcolm Tirabassi, Patrick Langsmith, Gerard Coote and Colin Weatherill. Finally, two minutes later, Jami Buckley became the final rider on course, hoping to time trial his way past the other riders.

With the wind blowing across from the North East, the ride down toward the turnaround point was quite quick as they enjoyed a mostly cross-tail wind, with the riders realising that the next 10km were going to be the hard slog back into the wind before the road turned more westward and a crosstailwind for the final 4km run to the finish line.

Each of the groups kept together to the turnaround point (slightly less than the advertised 15km mark – sorry), with the gaps slowly closing between the groups.

Out in front, Jen and Mike were making good progress, only losing three minutes on the outward leg to the chasers, whilst Jami was quickly reeling in the group ahead of him. The distance and the pace started to tell on some of the riders on the way back into the finish line, with groups starting to splinter as individual riders tried their luck in increasing their pace.

At the finish line, Jen and Mike had held onto their advantage, with Mike Bakker showing he still had the pace to finish ahead of Jen Buckland. Jami Buckley underlined his credentials as a young rider to watch by making his way past the other groups to finish third (and fastest), approximately three and a half minutes behind the winner. Elmer Buckland was next to cross, followed by Craig Andrae, John Cranwell, Patrick Langsmith, Malcolm Tirabassi, Spek Peake, Gerard Coote, Colin Weatherill and Ethan McKenny.

Riders then returned to the clubrooms where they enjoyed a shared morning tea, catching up with other riders and family members after the winter break. The next race in the series will be a 30km handicap along Attamurra Rd, starting at Sherwin Road.

FIRST PODIUM OF THE SEASON: Second placed Jen Buckland, winner Mike Bakker & third placed and fastest time Jami Buckley.

READY TO GET GOING FOR FIRST RACE OF SEASON: Elmer Buckland, Ethan McKenny, Spek Peake, Craig Andrae & John Cranwell, with Colin, Malcolm & Gerard (in far background)

PHOTOS COURTESY OF MICHELLE MCKENNY