Event Reports

Details: Written by Glenys Taylor; Created: 02 September 2012

The first official day of spring certainly turned out to be a beautiful day and a stark contrast to the week before. Or perhaps it is just that the Manawatu has better weather than Pahiatua.

Registrations were taken at Ashhurst Library for what was set to be large numbers racing in the second in the series of three handicap races. D grade set off at the start followed 5 minutes later by C Grade. Large numbers meant that B grade was split into 2 start groups B with 13 riders starting at 9 mins and B+ also with 13 riders starting at 12 minutes. This would mean that the A grade which was also split would really need to do some work if they were going to catch the B graders by the finish line.

The juniors completed a shorter course turning at Raumai and racing back to the finish line at Ashhurst. In what would be regarded as a dead heat Daniel Kendall and Thomas Stannard could not be separated so they will both get 1 point for the handicap series.

Thanks to John Arbuckle for bringing the trailer out (Sorry John I still have your petrol vouchers in my car). Thanks also to our marshals Graeme Ransom and Matt Levin. Matt van Wagtendonk was again on the scene helping out as tail vehicle for the junior riders. Kirsty Kaihau helped out on registration. Special thanks to the helpers on the finish line - Paul and Carol Roberts, Fiona Huston and Paul Kendall.

Unfortunately for 1 rider number 90 he will gain no points for this race. 90 and another rider were sprinting for the line. The other rider crossed half a wheel length in front of 90. Both numbers were called and recorded. On the computer an error message automatically appeared. On further investigation rider 90 had crossed the finish line earlier. If this situation was not highlighted it could have meant that the judges pulled the finish line before the last rider crossed. The number of riders who start a race is recorded and then the number of riders that cross the finish line or report back as a DNF is also recorded so to cross the finish line twice is not a good idea.

Next weeks race and the final in the series along with prizegiving will be held at Ashhurst. Registraion again at Ashhurst library at 1pm.

Click here for full results of points for series after 2 races. These are the correct ones this time. HOPEFULLY

Click for Woolworths Cup results.

Details: Written by Glenys Taylor; Created: 27 August 2012

The gravel Classic lived up to its name with a fantastic challenge to riders, a few punctures but overall the feedback from riders was really positive. We will use the track again and recommend it as a club event. Thanks to Ashhurst School parents for marshaling on the course and Ross Castle for dreaming up the track - I think we are onto something special here as the mix of road and gravel will enhance our riders overall bike handling skills. Great turnout with nearly 50 riders, this bodes well for the future of cycling in Manawatu.

A grade split up into a 2 rider race with Nate Levin and Chris Denholm battling it out alone on the last lap, with a sprint finish going to Nate, followed by a group of 3 riders 1 minute back.

Details: Written by Glenys Taylor; Created: 20 August 2012

It was great to have a good turn out on what was a lovely afternoon.

The Bone Collector course this year had changed and team requirements had also changed. With a bit of juggling at registration all of the people that had not preregistered in a team were able to find a spot.

Special thanks to Matt van Wagtendonk for being the race organiser on the day. Thanks also to the marshalls, Jason Kinghorn and Matt Levin, on the course and Joanne Stewart and Anna for doing the registrations.

The first lap saw one rider get a small break from the rest of the 1st riders on the approach to Whitelocks letterbox and there was one rider that was trailling the rest at this point. But looking at the results (thanks to Paul Roberts and Matt van Wagtendonk) the split times show that the pace did not alter a lot for each subsequent lap.