Cycling club life membership for Opperman

Earlier this month there was an exciting whirlwind of cycling action to the Mount Gambier Cycling Club, thanks to the combined efforts of the Australian national team coach Tim Decker and local talent.

Tim Decker, the coach of the Australian Women’s and Men’s Teams Pursuit, spent an entire weekend with the Mount Gambier Cycling Club, mentoring and guiding the next generation of cyclists. The club’s juniors were given an extraordinary opportunity, all made possible by a grant from the Junior Assistance Sports Fund.

The action-packed weekend commenced with Friday night track racing, which was organised and efficiently run by Kai Arbery, a scholar under the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI). The SASI scholarship holder ensured that the young cyclists had a thrilling start to the weekend, setting the stage for what was to come.

Saturday saw the junior riders being put through a series of racesimulated events, with the bank of the velodrome taking centre stage. Unfortunately, the weather was not entirely cooperative, forcing the young athletes to spend some time indoors, where they trained vigorously on watt bikes and rollers.

Sunday was no less thrilling, as the Mount Gambier Cycling Club held its weekly 20-kilometer race. However, what made this race unique was that Tim Decker himself took to the track, riding from scratch alongside Jami Buckley. With newcomers like Martin Farmilo, and the Mount Gambier Cycling Club new young members Lachie Becker and Charlie Evans, the stage was set for a race filled with talent and determination.

The race commenced with Martin Farmilo, the newest addition to the racing scene, going off first, along with David Tye and Lachie. Molly Opperman, Xavier Farmilo, and Charlie Evans were hot on their heels, eventually securing the top spots in the race. Xavier Farmilo clinched the first position, with Charlie Evans in second and Molly Opperman taking the third spot.

Despite the challenging conditions, which included strong winds and rain, the entire field displayed unwavering determination. At the back of the pack, Australian coach Tim Decker and Jami Buckley started from scratch, with Buckley later managing to secure the title of fastest time.

The Mount Gambier Cycling Club would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the City of Mount Gambier for their continuous support of their races. It is through this kind of community backing that local talents are nurtured and given the opportunity to shine on the national and even international stage.

The weekend’s events served as a testament to the power of collaboration between local talent and national expertise. The Mount Gambier Cycling Club continues to be a hotbed for nurturing cycling talent and providing invaluable experiences to its members, and with support from the likes of Tim Decker, the future for these young riders looks promising indeed.

The weekend’s cycling events were also marked by a heartwarming moment as the Mount Gambier Cycling Club honoured Tina Opperman for her exceptional contributions to the club by awarding her a well deserved life membership. The celebratory dinner at the Mount Gambier RSL was a memorable night, filled with applause, heartfelt speeches, and camaraderie, where the club members and supporters gathered to acknowledge and express their gratitude for Tina’s unwavering dedication and commitment to the Mount Gambier Cycing Club. Her tireless efforts have not only helped shape the club but have also played a pivotal role in the development of cycling in the local community.

LIFE MEMBERS: Bruce Dowdell, Barb Dowdell, Rob Mann, Tina Opperman, Matthew Opperman & Ray Bilney

NATIONAL COACHING SESSIONS: Mt Gambier cyclists with national coach Tim Decker