Cranwell holds off Opperman in Overland Track event

Mount Gambier Cycling Club members ventured back out towards Glencoe for the third race in their Country Post and Bistro Super Series, and the eighth race in the club’s Spring Series.

Beginning on the Overland Track, the relatively flat out and back course would have a sting in the tail when the riders passed the start line, turned right and headed up the Mile Hill for a hilltop finish.

A number of the faster riders were away due to other racing commitments, but the addition of new riders from the track academy meant that 12 riders signed on and were grouped for the handicapped race.

First riders away were Martin Farmilo and Lachlan Becker, with the following group containing Jen Buckland, Molly Opperman and John Cranwell leaving two minutes later.

The next group to leave had to wait a further four minutes, with Spek Peake, Xavier Farmilo, Chris Neave and Ethan McKenny itching to begin.

Finally, the scratch group, containing Elmer Buckland, Matthew Opperman and Craig Andrae, after waiting a further four minutes were given their leave to depart and chase down the riders ahead of them.

The journey to the turnaround mark saw a couple of splits as riders took advantage of the tailwind to push themselves as fast as they could go.

Jen was unable to hold on to the fast pace of Molly and John, and Spek and Chris could not keep up with Xavier and Ethan.

Just before the turnaround Molly and John caught and passed Martin and Lachlan, with Jen the next to turn, hopeful of catching the group ahead in the head wind.

Xavier and Ethan were the next to turn, ahead of Spek and Chris, with the final trio of Matthew, Craig and Elmer still working together to chase everyone down.

With 2km still to go in the race, the riders turned right and began the climb up to the finish.

The scratch riders were now very close to the back of the next riders, with the sight of them being a nice carrot to chase up the hill.

Unfortunately for them, Molly and John continued their high speed and reached the finish line, with John Cranwell crossing the line first ahead of Molly Opperman.

Xavier Farmilo was next to cross, ahead of Ethan McKenny, just under two minutes later, with Craig Andrae putting on a final burst of speed to finish just ahead of Elmer Buckland to take out fastest time honours, then came Matthew Opperman, Spek Peake, Lachlan Becker, Chris Neave, Martin Farmilo and Jen Buckland.