Kidman continues to post fastest time

Race results for race five & six of the Mount Gambier Cycling Club’s Spring Series

Thirteen riders signed on for the 5th race in the Mount Gambier Cycling Club’s Spring Series, which was to be a 28km out and back ride along the Overland Track at Glencoe, followed by a right turn onto the Eastern side of Range Hill and a 2km climb to the finish line.

A northerly wind would keep all riders honest on the outward leg, and help some of the riders to their fastest time up the hill.

The first rider away was Jason Buckland, hoping to stay out in front as long as possible, with a four minute head start over Jen Buckland and Damian Buckley.

They had a further 10 minute head start over a group containing John De Pree, John Cranwell, Dean Zeven, Patrick Langsmith and Elmer Buckland.

After another four minutes had elapsed the group consisting of Matthew Opperman, Jami Buckley, Niel van Niekerk and Craig Andrae were allowed to begin their chase, another minute ahead of Nick Kidman, who was tasked with the job of chasing everyone down, 19 minutes behind Jason.

Riding along the Overland Track, with the open farmland, the head wind on the outward leg was noticeable, and Damian found himself in trouble early, giving Jen the green light to solo away from him.

All other groups were working hard, with John Cranwell another to lose touch with his bunch on the outward leg. Speeds increased markedly after the turnaround, with the wind at the riders’ backs.

As the riders approached the end of Overland Track, the front runners were caught, and Patrick Langsmith launched away from his bunch in order to try to make the turn onto Range Hill road first.

The groups were close together as the turn was made, allowing those with high power to weight ratio to shine as they climbed to the finish line.

Niel van Niekerk was the first up the hill, closely followed by Jami Buckley and Nick Kidman, rounding out the podium with fastest race time.

They were followed by Patrick Langsmith, Matthew Opperman, Craig Andrae, Elmer Buckland, John de Pree, Dean Zeven, Jen Buckland, John Cranwell, Jason Buckland and Damian Buckley.

It was a perfect day for a ride, let alone a race, for the 6th race in the Kidman Law Spring Series, a 30km Handicap race out and back along Attamurra road.

Once again the slight wind was favourable, becoming a tailwind for the latter part of the race.

One of the benefits of handicapped racing is that it allows for riders of varied abilities the opportunity to race for the victory, and so it proved again for the 14 riders who took on the challenge.

First riders away were Jason Buckland, Jen Buckland and Damian Buckley, with an 11 minute head start over John Cranwell, Spek Peake and Elmer Buckland.

They were followed two minutes later by Patrick Langsmith, Gerard Coote and Colin Weatherill.

Another four minutes had elapsed before Niel van Niekerk, Jami Buckley, Craig Andrae and Matthew Opperman were allowed to begin their chase, a further minute ahead of Nick Kidman.

The slight headwind on the outward leg kept the riders honest, working with each other in the group to get a slight rest from the breeze while keeping the pace high.

By the 10km mark, the group containing Patrick, Gerard and Colin had already caught the group ahead of them, with Elmer, John and Spek joining onto the back and working hard.

At the turnaround, Damian, Jen and Jason were holding onto their lead, though the gap had diminished, and were looking to use the tailwind to their advantage on the way back.

With approximately 6km of the race remaining, Jason was unable to hold onto the wheels of his bunch and slowly dropped behind, while Jen and Damian pressed on to try and hold off the

chasing riders. As they neared the final 1500m, the straight run from Mingbool road to the finish at Sherwin rd, the race was on.

Damian Buckley timed his sprint to perfection to edge out Jen Buckland on the line, less than 500m ahead of the sprinting bunches behind.

With speeds reaching in excess of 55km/h the faster riders powered past Jason, contesting for the final spot on the podium.

Colin Weatherill won that sprint, just ahead of Patrick Langsmith, Gerard Coote, John Cranwell and Elmer Buckland, then Niel van Niekerk, Matthew Opperman, Jason Buckland, Jami Buckley, Craig Andrae, Nick Kidman (fastest race time) and Spek Peake.

RACE FIVE PODIUM: (Above) Nick

Kidman (3rd & fastest time), Niel Van Niekerk (1st) & Jami Buckley (2nd)

RACE SIX PODIUM: (Left) Nick

Kidman (fastest time), Colin Weatherill (3rd) Damian Buckley (1st) & Jen Buckland (2nd)