Well done to the WCNI team that last week competed at the National Track age group champs in Invercargill. The Bike Manawatu riders that came away with medals is outstanding and our congratulations go to all of the team.
Individual Events
Michaela Drummond, Women’s Under 17yrs
GOLD – 2000m Individual Pursuit
GOLD – 5km Scratch Race
GOLD – 7.5km Points Race
SILVER – Sprint
BRONZE – 500m Time Trial
On the 30th of January, I was thrilled to be told I would represent New Zealand as part of the squad to race in Toowoomba, Australia, on the 21st-23rd of February. We all arrived to a humid day in Brisbane before the two hour drive to our final destination in Toowoomba on the Wednesday, two days before race day. Thursday was a chance to get some valuable course literacy under our belts which would prove vital for the 25km ITT on the following day.
The time trial course was certainly a strong man’s course. My placing of 31st was disappointing, even though falling sick just a few days beforehand had affected me negatively. Staying positive and making the most out of the trip was the new goal in mind. Jake Marryatt came an impressive 6th place with Corbin Mason-Smith coming in just behind at 7th place. Alex West was 34th after unfortunate difficulties with equipment. The girls’ squad had a very successful time trial and saw Madison Farrant coming 2nd, Amanda Jamieson coming 3rd and Elizabeth Stannard, 7th.
Palmerston North rider Campbell Stewart has continued his dominance at the national Age Group Track Cycling Champions this week.
As a first year under-17 rider in 2013, Stewart almost swept his events, taking gold in the individual pursuit, scratch, points and sprint, and helping his West Coast/North Island team to victory in the team pursuit and team sprint.
The only title that eluded him was the 500m time trial, where he finished second behind Lewis Eccles.
Already this week, Stewart has banked the time trial gold he missed out on last year, and last night’s 2000m individual pursuit.
“It’s been pretty good, Southland always puts on a good week,” Stewart said.
Entries for this year’s Clark Cup are open. The event will be held on Sunday 30th March on the same Wainuioru course used last year. It is a great course for keeping an eye on the field and challenging enough to keep everyone honest. Also with Club Nationals a few weeks later excellent preparation.
Please fill in the attached entry form and get back to me by whatever means suits you by Wednesday 28th March with your entry fee.
A course description will be available on the club website soon – www.athleticsmasterton.org.nz
“Only mad dogs and Englishman go out in the midday sun” Not sure if that was a song or just a saying but I do remember that from a long time ago. And another saying is when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
That could certainly be said about the week 5 time trial participants. And the times certainly prove the point. Discussion on the start line was about planing across the water and the theory certainly proved to be true with nearly everyone improving their times. Although there were tales of pouring with rain in Pahiatua, and bucketing down in Ashhurst it was only drizzle that abated before the start of the time trials.But umbrellas were soon out and at one point when it did stop drizzling and the one umbrella was folded up, it was taken as a bad thing to do and was quickly opened again. Matiu Kaihau came close to beating his course record that he set in 2013.
Next week will be the final night for time trials and the weather will determine whether next weeks results will be used in determining final results. But the way things stand at the moment it will be anyones guess as to who gets top prize. Prizemoney is awarded to financial members. Drinks and a few nibbles will be at prizegiving at the conclusion of next weeks time trials.
Click here for results