Kapiti Race Report

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...



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.



Photos via Gary at Nesport.