The Rangitikei River Loop Classic was held on Sunday, October 24 in near perfect conditions. The ride starts in Hunterville and immediately sends riders up the Rangatira Hill, this sorts out the bunch very quickly and much to his surprise Mark Waterland led the riders over the top of the Rangatira Hill with locals, Kent Croote, Steve Stannard and Brent Bismarck close on his wheel, along with Josh Page (the last winner of the Twins Peak tour) and one or two others.
After some soft pedalling this group was caught by another 20 or 30 riders at the 20 km mark. A series of attacks, mostly instigated by Steve Stannard, were covered by the bunch with the key break coming at the bottom of Makino Rd (approximately half-way), giving a bunch of 7 riders. This group was reduced to 4 as the pace was lifted on the short climb out of Waituna West, with Mark Waterland and Steve Stannard dropping off at this point. Brent Bismarck was the next victim leaving three riders including Kent Croote and Josh Page to battle it out for the win, with Kent Croote taking a well-earn victory at the finish.