Sunday 3 February 2013

JC wins the National TT Title!

Joe Cooper

Brilliant ride by Joe Cooper to take the New Zealand Elite National Time Trial title in Christchurch last month. Riding in his Huon Genesys Pro Cycling Team colours JC completed the 40km course in a time of 49:37 averaging 48.37 km/h.

Sunday 13 May 2012

Wednesday 25 April 2012

2012 Clark Cup

2012 Clark Cup

Post race at the Clark Cup held in Masterton recently... photo courtesy of Jacqui and Janine. End of season isn't too far away with the National Club Champs just around the corner.

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Thursday 22 March 2012

Kapiti Race Report

Paekak Hill
Race report courtesy of David Rowlands.

I almost didn't enter the Kapiti race due to off-season form... 3 months in a real winter in USA/Europe where riding was about 3 x a week for 90 minutes and some running before the nose just about fell off. Last week at the PNP club race I groveled up Blue Mountains and was dropped on the second ascent. Nice hard training ride in the sun though which must of kicked the motor back into life...

Paekak Hill

Backy sacrificed himself up Paekak hill keeping the Wheelworks boys in check. Then there were a few attacks on the steep pitch about 3/4 of the way up by Andy Hagan, which were controlled by the front group, Silas, Luke, Anthony Chapman.... at that stage I was well into V02 max territory and was getting ready to sprint just to hang onto the front pack. Mike Naylor attacked for the summit, but it regrouped quickly with about ten of us in the group. The downhill and flat section to the Haywoods climb was fairly pedestrian. On Haywoods there were a few attacks by Mike, but it all stuck together. No Pack and Save grocery bags to be won this year for the KOMs :-(

Onto the motorway towards Upper Hutt with solid lapping by the whole group. We hit cemetery hill and the pace went on. Big attack on the second climb past Karapoti by Andy Hagan and before that several attacks by Stu, then Mike, then Andy. Silas and I had to be on the wheel straight away as it could have easily split at this point. Andy's attack was serious and he was away for a good 5 min or so with only Silas reeling him in. I was 100% chasing with Anthony Chapman and Finlay.

More attacks on the last 10 km section before the top of the Akas, repeatedly by Mike and Andy. Each attack defended by either me or Silas. Our goal was to keep it together or be dragged up by the attacker. Real team racing!

So at the last big right hander Andy took the lead and wound up the pace. I was positioned 2nd or 3rd wheel and really working hard to keep up, but OK, then Mike attacked at full steam 2 km out from the summit and strung us out. I went straight to the back, Silas took his wheel. I swung off the back at full sprint speed about 4 times then finally blew up with about 500m to the summit. Kept riding and resigned myself to 6th place. About halfway down the Waikanae descent off the Akas, Stu came past showing me HOW TO DESCEND. Legend. I stuck on his wheel and lines hoping the wheels would hold.

Hit the bottom and did some 60kph laps and then spotted the leading group of 5 about 10 seconds up the road... went full gas to catch them approximately 2km out from the finish. Silas told me to sit on the back and proceeded to attack – perfect! The Wheeworks boys chased Silas. Then there were attacks from Stu, 2 x Mike and 1 x big one from Andy, all of which I covered with help from Anthony and Finlay. Found myself at the front on the last corner 200m out and started my sprint. Sprint still needs some training (as does everything else) and I think Silas could have rolled me, so Silas is the champ. Great local fun ride racing and a lot of luck.

Dave R.

Kapiti Cycle Challenge Sprint

Photos via Gary at Nesport.

Saturday 17 March 2012

Bush Ride Race Report

Luke at the Bush Ride
Race report courtesy of Luke McDermott.

Cool, calm weather greeted us for the start of the annual bush cycle ride. Everyone sat pretty comfortably for the first 30 odd km along the main road. The first hill brought action as the field split with 15 in the front group.

This group worked well, but we were caught just before Alfredton and so it was all back together again. The small hills began to break the peloton up again, and coming into the final climb the pace was on. I pushed hard over the top and drilled it down the other side managing to leave a group of 5. We worked well together for the final 10km, to finished about a minute in front of the main group.

Luke crossing the line for 4th place

I eased up too much going into the final corner losing the wheel in front, and had to chase... finished up 4th overall and 2nd junior. Overall I'm happy with that and now looking forward to the Kapiti Cycle Challenge next weekend. Thanks to Champion System for the awesome new Meo GP racing team kit, Ricoh, Armstrong Sport and Em's Power Cookies.

Photos via Jack Sowry.