GP dominates Aka's Race

A beautiful win by Subway Avanti/Meo GP rider Joe Cooper today at the Kapiti Cycle Challenge. Joe showed his class by riding away from his four breakaway companions through the Akatarawas, crossing the finish line two and a half minutes clear of fellow GP rider, Silas Cullen.

Silas rode away from Andy Hagan (Capital Cycles), Mike Naylor and Backy on the technical descent into Waikanae.

Only yesterday, Joe was competing at Le Race, where he finished a fine 4th. Joe's Subway Avanti team mate Michael Vink, won Le Race in a new record time... a young talent to keep an eye on in the future.

Other GP riders in the results: Jono (28th), Jeff (50th), Glenno (69th).

More photos and a race report to follow tomorrow.

The Aka's

The Akatarawa road between Upper Hutt and Waikanae is a 30km stretch of road that is well known to Wellington cyclists. Many bike races have been held through the narrow twisty single lane road over the years. The Tour of Wellington, Rice Mountain Classic, Palmerston–Wellington, to name a few.

Today however, the GP riders decided that an "Aka's" ride was well overdue. The weather was stunning, the boys were all up for it... the good times keep on rolling.

Starting from the Tasting Room in Wellington, we headed out onto the Hutt motorway, through to Upper Hutt, over the Akatarawa's and the long descent into Waikanae.

Traditional stop at the dairy in Waikanae for a cold drink, then south through to the base of Paekakariki Hill pausing briefly at the summit for a photo and video opportunity...

Another long descent through to Haywards (Lovers never attacked), back onto the Hutt Motorway and home. 145km, taking just under 5 hours at a steady tempo. Nice.