The gravel Classic lived up to its name with a fantastic challenge to riders, a few punctures but overall the feedback from riders was really positive. We will use the track again and recommend it as a club event. Thanks to Ashhurst School parents for marshaling on the course and Ross Castle for dreaming up the track – I think we are onto something special here as the mix of road and gravel will enhance our riders overall bike handling skills. Great turnout with nearly 50 riders, this bodes well for the future of cycling in Manawatu.
A grade split up into a 2 rider race with Nate Levin and Chris Denholm battling it out alone on the last lap, with a sprint finish going to Nate, followed by a group of 3 riders 1 minute back.
The B grade saw plenty of riders not finish due to mechanicals and punctures – it was the new kid on the block Luke Mudgways time to demonstrate his power racing on a mountain bike to head off Carne Groube and Cameron Huston.
C Grade saw the group spread out far & wide up Ulysses Road, leaving Gorgi van Lienen and Libby Arbuckle to lap it out, with Libby proving to strong on the way home to finish ahead of Gorgi. The real race was for 3rd position with Thomas Stannard, Dineth Rajapakse and Dan Kendall battling it out to hit the line at the same time. Some great results in this grade and all riders continue to make excellent progress, a good opportunity to acknowledge Max Cousins who demonstrates huge commitment to training and is improving week by week.
Good luck to the PNINS & Ashhurst riders competing in Taupo this week at the North Island Intermediate Schools cycling Champs – I am sure we will see some medals come home to Manawatu.
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