After a frosty start to the day the riders were optimistic that the sun was out to stay, just as they were called to the start line the weather gods proved them wrong with rain from Gore to Mataura. This didn’t deter 2nd Limit who made up the 3mins head start Limit had on them with the catch happening just before Glencoe. 2nd Mid had also put the hard yards in and had 3rd Limit in their sights at Glencoe. The Scratch riders had also caught Break by this stage. Pete Hogan was having a tough day after being spat out of Limit so he decided to say hi to the bunches chasing him.
The Hedgehope hill climb was won by Taylor Lumsden who powered up the hill and didn’t look back, Sophie-Leigh Bloxham taking 2nd with some encouragement from the Southern Hub coach Sid Cumming. At this stage 3rd Limit was only 1min away from catching the front of the race. 2nd Break motored up the hill and at this point they had reduced their start time by 10 minutes meaning it was only 6mins to the front.
Kate Wilson & Tayla Lumsden were getting nervous as the approached the Springhills turnoff with 3rd Limit & 2nd Mid gaining rapidly. Whilst looking behind to see how far away they were their bikes became entangled ending their race for today. Both riders were not injured but their bikes will be off to the doctors on Monday for repair.
At Tussock Creek Mid was gaining on 2nd with only 1:15 separating them. 2nd Mid also had 1:15 to the front bunch.
At the top of Rakahouka hill Bruce Jones, Sid Cumming & Mark Day attempted to ride clear, splintering the bunch as they reached the top of the hill. This allowed for Mid & 2nd Mid to join the front bunch but there were some weary legs resulting in a slower pace.
With Scratch & Break working together nicely they managed to rein in 2nd Break at Grove Bush. With the front bunch only minutes ahead they put the pedal down (literally) and caught the front of the race on the Lorneville-Dacre Highway outside the church.
Matt Zenovich started attacking proving too fast for some riders and eventually only the strongest were left chasing him down. Turning into McIvor Road Josh Haggerty decided it was his time to attack and was in the lead for 2km with the finish line in sight. Hamish Beadle put in a gutsy last effort sprint and managed to come from behind Josh to steal the win!
Final Placings:
1st – Hamish Beadle 2:16:38
2nd – Josh Haggerty (Fastest Time 1:48:38)
3rd – Mike White (1st Veteran – Noel Eade Memorial Trophy)
4th – Brent Allnut
5th – Luke Macpherson (2nd Fastest Time)
6th – Matt Zenovich
7th – Jonathan Leonard
8th – Alastair Burnett
Sophie-Leigh Bloxham (1st women & 1st junior)
Liz Williamson (2nd women)
Limit (0mins) – 5 riders
2nd Limit (3mins) – 7 riders
3rd Limit (5.30mins) – 8 riders
2nd Mid (8mins) – 6 riders
Mid (11mins) – 6 riders
2nd Break (16mins) – 6 riders
Break (24mins) – 4 riders
Scratch (28mins) – 4 riders
Thank you to all our sponsors, marshals and riders for a great day.
Story thanks to Cycling Southland.