In case you weren't there Manawatu riders made a great impression in all cycling events at last weeks NZ Masters Games held in Wanganui.

The first event was the 1 mile time trial. This was on Tuesday night and was around the cemetary circuit where normally motor bikes race just after Christmas each year. We rode around the course in the opposite direction to the motorbikes. Top lap time for a motorbike was reported as 49seconds with a top speed of 180km/hr on the finish straight. With the cones placed tightly on each of the corners it meant that riders could not go hard and fast but had to slow down to ensure that you could get around the corner safely.

Much to our disappointment this was not a medal event and only certificates were presented.

Participants 40

Placings for Manawatu riders.

18 Will Pearson Palmerston north NZ 45+ 2.24.64 1st
1 Neville Weir  Palmerston North NZ 45+ 2.29.16 3rd
36 Andrew Ward  Palmerston North NZ 45+ 2.38.33 7th
11 Michael Bradley Feilding NZ 45+ 2.39.01 8th
5 Bryce Marshall  Palmerston North NZ 45+ 2.42.61 9th
29 Jocelyn Goodwin  Palmerston North NZ 45+ 2.51.49 1st
12 Glenys Taylor  Feilding NZ 45+ 3.08.77 2nd

On Wednesday night was the straightline grass sprints.

Participants 39

Placings for Manawatu riders

15 Roger Holmwood Palmerston North NZ 65+ 19.43 6th
33 Neville Weir  Palmerston North NZ 45+ 14.21 1st
34 Andrew Davidson Palmeston North NZ 45+ 14.61 2nd

Thursday night was track night. There were a series of events starting with the 500m time trial. The track was open for riders to have a warm up and get the feel of the track if we had not riden on it before from early afternoon. Racing started at 5pm. The oldest rider was Bill Main from Wanganui at over 80. Riders came from as far away as Adelaide and the  UK.

Track - 500 Time Trial 39 riders
22 Marcel Hollenstein  Palmerston North NZ 50+ 40.81 Silver
45 Neville Weir Palmerston NorthNZ 45+ 40.3 Gold
26 Jack McKenziePalmerston NorthNZ 45+ 43.36 Bronze
25 Bryce Marshall  Palmerston NorthNZ 45+ 45.09 5th
28 Andrew Ward  Palmerston NorthNZ 45+ 45.37 6th
36 Megan Blatchford-Peck  Palmerston NorthNZ 45+ 41.87 Gold
37 Glenys Taylor Feilding NZ 45+ 52.03 Silver
38 Sharon Hollenstein  Palmerston NorthNZ 40+ 47.15 Gold

2000m pursuit 30 Riders
22 Marcel Hollenstein  Palmerston North NZ 50+ 2.41.32 Gold
43 Will Pearson Palmerston north NZ 45+ 2.36.40 Gold
28 Andrew Ward  Palmerston North NZ 45+ 2.49.09 Silver
26 Jack McKenzie  Palmerston North NZ 45+ 2.58.57 Bronze
37 Glenys Taylor  Feilding NZ 45+ 3.21.36 Gold
38 Sharon Hollenstein  Palmerston North NZ 40+ 3.07.15 Gold

3000 m Scratch 22 riders

Marcel Hollenstein Palmerston North NZ 50+ Silver

3 Lap Sprint 200TT 25 riders

Megan Blatchford-Peck Palmerston North NZ 45+ 13.06 1st 13.06 Gold

Friday morning was the date set for the road time trial. This year it was on a new course which had a few people confused as to where the start line was to be and where the turning was to be. All became clear on the day. And it was a very clear day with Wanganui recording the hottest national temperature for the day according to the evening news. The oldest age group 80+ was off first and then the others followed with the female riders going before the men at 1 minute intervals.This is one event the infamous Gordon McCauley rode in. He rode in the  35+ age group and rode the 20km distance in 25mins 49 secs to get the gold medal in this age group.

Peter Olsen Male Feilding NZ 75+  0:43:06 6th
Neil Pollock Male Palmerston North NZ 65+  0:35:55 7th
Karen Dunn  Palmerston North NZ 60+ 0:36:24 Gold
Phil Christmas  Palmerston North NZ 60+0:32:00 7th
Barry Gilliland  Palmerston North NZ 55+ 0:28:35 Silver
Catriona Pirie  Palmerston North NZ 50+ 0:40:40 4th
Averil Sheehan Palmerston North NZ 50+ 0:37:53 Gold
Jo Speary  Feilding NZ 50+ 0:39:47 Bronze
Stephen Snell  Feilding NZ 50+ 0:29:59 4th
Neil Prouse  Palmerston North NZ 50+ 0:37:03 12th
Geoff Russell  Palmerston North NZ 50+ 0:30:44 7th
Tom Pirie  Palmerston North NZ 50+0:28:50 Silver
Jocelyn Goodwin  Palmerston North NZ 45+ 0:32:05 Gold
Glenys Taylor Feilding NZ 45+ 0:37:06 Bronze
Michael Bradley  Feilding NZ 45+ 0:30:14 8th
Bryce Marshall  Palmerston North NZ 45+ 0:32:23 12th
Andy McDonell  Palmerston North NZ 45+ 0:30:37 9th
Will Pearson  Palmerston north NZ 45+ 0:28:29 Silver
Neville Weir  Palmerston North NZ 45+ 0:28:39 4th
Andrew Ward  Palmerston North NZ 45+ 0:28:51 5th