It was back out to Nga Manu Reserve Road for the first of three races on this course to close out the Searletech Summer Series for 2023.  This 2.2 km circuit is deceptively challenging, as although it’s almost dead flat, riders have to negotiate three barrel turns on each lap.  These turns typically require an all-out effort coming out of them around every 80 seconds (depending on grade) to stay with the leaders.  So the race is effectively an interval session, that turns into a battle of attrition and really takes a toll on riders after multiple laps.

See all results and points below.

The A & B graders for example had to deal with 30 all-out efforts over their 10 laps, making it a tough evening in the saddle.  The programme got underway with dark clouds overhead, threatening to put a dampener on proceedings and although we had the odd spot of light rain, it didn’t come to much and riders enjoyed great conditions for racing.

A grade saw Mathew Walker line up for a blow-out on his roadie before he heads off to Europe to compete with the pro’s on the mountain biking circuit.  Midway through the race Mathew got away with Miles Davis in what looked like a winning break, however it wasn’t to be and with a lap to go they got hauled back in by Livio Zampieri and Euan Mason.  Once again it was Euan who won the sprint to notch up his 4th win of the series, with Livio close behind. 

A field of eight riders lined up in B grade, including for the first time this season the very handy Ed Gilbertson, who rode for the Club's North Island Series team a couple years back.  Ed demonstrated his strength on the flat and often had the bunch on the limit to stay with his pace out off the turns.  Despite some tough chases to close up developing gaps during the race, there were still seven riders together coming into the home straight for the final time.  Things got a little sketchy as riders jostled for position, forcing the bunch to spread right across the course as they came into the final 150 meters.  In a blanket finish, it was Jonny Holtom who took out the win from Dwight Garton & Ed Gilbertson second & third respectively.

C Grade's 17.5 km, 8 lapper, saw the Summer Series sponsor Mike Searle have his best result of the year to take out his first win from the ever-consistent pair of Jon Cox (second) and Andy Ross (third). Mike's win had the added benefit of saving the Club one of his own $20 gift vouchers, normally given to the grade winner at prize giving!! 

The very competitive, closely fought D grade also saw a very tight bunch finish Tuesday night, with less than a couple of bike lengths separating the first 5 riders.  Ian Fraser continued his good run of form with a win from Doug Barrett (second) and Glynis Te-Maipi Kemp (third).  With two races to come, D grade has four riders still with a chance to win the grade. 

Pete Gibbs was the only E grader of the night and he bravely set off with D grade in their 5 laps race. 

With everyone gathered at the start/finish after racing, Pete took the opportunity to update us all on how two of the season regular E graders, Danielle Rule & James Green had done in the recent Coast to Coast, Secondary Schools' relay race.  The Secondary Schools' relay race is a two day event held in conjunction with the Coast to Coast each year, and Pete and Cath Campbell have jointly managed and coached the Aotea College boys and girls teams for a number of years. 

This years teams included Danielle and James, who started riding with the club as complete novices late last year, with James never having ridden a road bike with gears or ridden with clip-in cleats before, and only taking up biking when another team member pulled out.  James' father purchased a pair of second hand road shoes from the Club and many of us will remember his struggles to stay upright at the start/finish the first night he tried them out on the Southwards course.  His persistence saw him mastering the clip-ins and ultimately winning two of the E grade races on the Camelot course last year, with Danielle also winning one race and placing second in another on the Southwards course. 

The biking legs of the Secondary Schools relay at the Coast to Coast has a 65 km ride on day one followed by a testing 90 km ride on day two.  Pete reported that both James and Danielle rode with distinction, helping the Aotea College boys team into a very credible 5th place overall and the girls into an exceptional 2nd overall.  On behalf of the Club, chapeau to Pete & Cath for their work mentoring the team and to James & Danielle for their rides!!

Article added: Thursday 09 March 2023