The National Masters 40 km TT is the premier TT event on the summer calendar for a serious time trial cyclist. This year the event was held at Kahutara which lies between Martinborough and Lake Wairarapa.
There were: 60 competitors, 10 women and 50 men, youngest rider aged 30, most experienced (but not the slowest) rider aged 80+.
Medals were on offer for the usual 5 year age groups used in national cycling events. While many Manawatu riders were riding the Pahiatua “Fun Ride”, six time trial stalwarts from the Manawatu were doing a proper race and trying to bring some of those medals from Wairarapa back through Gorge. We did ok. Our results were:
Jocelyn Goodwin 1st (50-54 grade) in 66:11 min
Barry Gilliland 1st (60-64 grade) in 59:35 min
Mike Burt 3rd (55-59 grade) in 65:01 min
Neville Weir 1st (50-54 grade) in 56:15 min (Fastest masters time of the day)
Michael Bradley 5th (50-54 grade) in 61:48 min
Geoff Russell 6th (50-54 grade) in 62:57 min
Two things need to be acknowledged:
1. Neville has been in brilliant form this summer; and
2. The 50-54 age grade was especially competitive with the first four riders breaking the 60 minute mark, so Mike and Geoff did pretty good rides that into account. In fact they both could have medalled in the younger 40-44 age goup.