With snow on the hills but an almost windless sunny day, conditions could not have been better for Race 2.  Another great turnout and spirited racing in all grades!  

A Grade came ready to play, with some heavy hitting right from the start which broke up the bunch.  Asked at coffee if they'd ripped each other's legs off, the reply was "ÿes, it was great!" - happy days.  The race was 'comfortably' won again by Tom Gollins, who said "there was nothing comfortable about it". Tom is now sitting on 20 points, so is building a steady lead.

D Grade followed a similar format with the heat on, right from the start line.  Some of our youngest riders are in this grade (including Kassidy, 11) and their junior restricted gearing means they simply run out of gears when the pace is too hot!  Despite efforts from Shane to get them back on, the great conditions weren't in their favour.  Kudos to Shane who stayed with Kassidy until the finish.  Despite Neil H taking the win this week, Ian Fraser is ahead on 18 points, followed by Rex D on 15 and Rebecca O on 13.  

A large C grade also made the most of the good conditions and with a few rider changes from last week was a completey different race.  Taking 3 minutes off their time last week, the bunch stayed as one, coming down to the School Rd sprint.  Janice found her way to the front, closely followed by last week's winner Tom Bland and Ian Gordon who finished 2nd and 3rd in a photo finish.  Janice and Tom are now tied for the grade lead on 19 points each, and both will wear a grade leader's jersey in Race 3.

B grade also had a sizeable bunch and the 'boys' were full of praise for all the work done by Ali Wilson, who almost missed the start after a flat battery.  After checking in, Johan discovered he'd left his riding shoes back in Palmerston North and kindly offered to marshal instead.  Phil C, on marhsal duty, asked Johan what size he took, then made a mercy dash back to Paraparaumu to fetch his own riding shoes to lend to Johan.  Johan made the most of his borrowed shoes, taking out the sprint from Zac and Jonathon H.  However, we now have a 3-way tie on point, with Jonathon H, Rhys E, and David F on 13 points each, and Richard G is only 2 points behind on 11 points.  As this week's race leader, Jonathon H will wear the grade leader's jersey in Race 3.

All the results are here: https://events.onetime.sport/event/1187/points?scoringId=174

Massive thanks to everyone who supported, marshalled, set up/down the course, race managed, helped with registration, took pics and cheered from the sidelines.  A bit more insight into the team it takes (and this week's helpers) here https://www.kapiticyclingclub.co.nz/newsarticle/118126?newsfeedId=1272005

If you didn't make it to Ruth Pretty's for coffee and results after the race:

Ruth's Rider of the Day went to Phil C for the mercy dash to fetch his shoes to lend to Johan (who then won!) - going well over and above the call of duty for marshalling!

Next week we're having a break, but join us for Race 3 on the 6th August.  To mix things up, this will be on our new Short'n Spicy course Old Hautere Road/Otaki Gorge Circuit   This course will be great for spectators because the riders will come around more often - 7 laps for A&B, 5 laps for C&D.  

Thank you again who entering online - it makes registration much quicker and more seamless.  And for handing back your timing chips and race numbers afterwards.  100% this week!

If you're able to marshal or help with course set-up on the 6th or 13th, please email Chris on kapiticc.secretary@gmail.com  (and we pay you in points to marshal!!)

Please enter Race 3 now https://www.kapiticyclingclub.co.nz/Events-1/Upcoming-Events

Article added: Sunday 24 July 2022