Buckland holds on for victory

Mount Gambier Cycling Club riders headed down to Kongorong this Sunday for the 4th race in their Summer Series, sponsored by Brew Coffee Bar.

Whilst the weather continued to be favourable, track racing in Melbourne over the weekend dropped some of the numbers of potential racers.

As it was, nine riders made the trek and duly signed on for four laps of the 8.5km course around Kongorong.

First rider away was Jen Buckland, with a 13 minute gap back to the next riders in Chris Neave and Spek Peake.

A further three minute wait ensued before Elmer Buckland and Patrick Langsmith began their race.

Due to the shortish laps, and the nature of the handicaps, the next rider to pass the start/finish line was Jen, starting her second lap, whilst Scott Waters and Tim Koopman were waiting their four minutes after the previous group.

After another 3 minutes had elapsed, Jami Buckley and Nick Kidman, the final riders, began their chase of those in front.

With the groups well spread apart, the spectators regularly had people to cheer on as each pairing came past the primary school to tick down the laps.

By the end of Jen’s second lap, Scott and Tim had already unlapped themselves, with Nick and Jami close behind her.

Chris and Spek were continuing to work together, with Patrick and Elmer slowly catching them, but also being caught by the riders behind.

As the riders received the bell to signify their final lap, Jen was continuing her solo ride in front, with Chris breaking away from Spek to try and narrow the margin.

Patrick and Elmer were about to be caught by Scott, who had been joined by Nick and Jami, with Tim yielding to the fast pace and continuing his ride at the back.

After putting in a strong final lap, Jen was able to glide her way to the finish line, just over a minute ahead of the sprinting group of Jami Buckley, who finished ahead of Nick Kidman, and Scott Waters.

Patrick Langsmith was the next to finish, passing Chris Neave close to the finish line.

Spek Peake, Elmer Buckland and Tim Koopman rounded out the finishers.

Those riders with an eye on the 100 Mile race in mid-May decided that the opportunity to ride back to Mount Gambier and add extra kilometres into the legs was too good to pass up, whilst others placed the bikes into cars and headed back to Brew Coffee Bar for a coffee and chat.

This weekend’s race is a 25km Handicap at the top end of Tarpeena.