Race 4 of the Searletech Summer Series marked the last time we will be racing this season on the Southwards Museum circuit (next week is at Camelot), and also the last appearance for Euan Mason in a Club race before he heads away for a 12 month stint in Europe riding with an Italian pro cycling team.  Before finishing his club season in style (by winning the A grade race), Euan graciously took the time to thank the Club and Club members for their support and encouragement during the 4 years he’s been riding with us.  In that time, he progressed from a total novice, to a rider now capable of footing it with the best.  We all wish Euan the very best on his European adventure and look forward to regular reports and updates from him on his struggles with the Italian language and his new life as a full-time cyclist.

It was pleasing to see four other riders joining Euan in A Grade last night in a race that turned into a battle Royale to see him off in style.  After numerous lung busting surges and breakaways, it was Euan 1st, Adin Johnson 2nd and visitor from Wellington Pat Crowe, 3rd.

They say every dog has its day and last night it seems it was Gary Clareburt’s turn to pull a performance out of the hat. With around 8 minutes + 2 laps to go, he managed to slip away from the bunch and stayed away, to take the 10 points for the win from Steve Roughan and Adrian McKenzie 2nd and 3rd respectively. It was great to see Steve and Adrian doing so well in their B Grade debut, having both moved up from C Grade for the first time this week.

Tony Levaggi showed once again the big kms he’s been riding lately are beginning to pay off for him by comfortably taking out the C grade race from Brent James 2nd and Ian Gordon, who experienced Southwards for the first time last night, coming home in 3rd.

In D Grade, Glynis Te Maipi-Kemp took her second win of the series last night, to solidify her position at the top of the D grade points table. In another closely fought race Ian Fraser came in 2nd with Shane Durrant completing the podium.

E Grade is beginning to turn into a one horse race, with Clive Brugh winning for the fourth straight time, by once again getting away to an early lead and staying away. Pete Gibbs never gave up the chase to come in 2nd from Peter Ellis, a former club member with the club back to the 80’s finishing 3rd.

The next few weeks we will be on the Camelot course - the start/finish is on King Arthur Drive.
 

Race 4 results and points table is here 

Our much appreciated Volunteers last night...
Race Manager: Phil Cocker
Registration & Timing Di Borman
Course Set Up: Doug Barrett
Photographer: Mark Frickleton

Article added: Wednesday 14 February 2024