The hot sunny days experienced over the past week changed to a cloudy but still warm and breezy evening for last night’s event. First up was the Social Grade event, a non-competitive 20 minutes plus two lap jaunt around the safe, car free circuit.

A slightly depleted field from previous weeks saw four riders taking to the start line. Two senior riders and two juniors set off accompanied by several followers using the event as a warmup for their main events. As the bell sounded for the last lap, 15-year-old Dylan Kennedy used his young legs to pip Steve Gregan to the line followed by Christine Stephenson. Finishing close behind was another junior Maggie Graham from the Cycling Graham family.

Next event was the C and D Grade race over 25 minutes plus two laps. Thirteen riders over the two grades took to the start line with ages ranging from Under 15’s to over 70-year-old. Clearly illustrating the inclusiveness of cycling.

 A neutral lap before the racing started was the prelude to an exciting battle within the two grades. C Grade proved to be a race for younger legs with junior Euan Mason taking out a hard-fought win from Kerry Graham (another member of the cycling Grahams, great to see) with 70+ year old John Rowlinson taking out third.

C Grade Results:

Euan Mason                   1^st          15 Points

Kerry Graham                2^nd         12 Points

John Rowlinson            3^rd         10 Points

Adrian McKenzie          4^th         9 Points

Fraser Beggs                   5^th         8 Points

Ryszard Balekju            6^th         7 Points

Dave Downer                 7^th         6 Points

Oscar Goodwin             8^th         5 Points

D Grade soon settled down to a contest between two long time riders, Doug Barrett and Darrell Flaws with Francis de Hair, David Cunningham and youngster Liam Parkes battling for the minor places.

D Results:

Doug Barrett                  1^st          15 Points

Darrell Flaws                  2^nd         12 Points

Francis de Hair              3^rd         10 Points

David Cunningham      4^th         9 Points

Liam Parkes                    5^th         8 Points (1^st Junior)

A & B Grade Race:

The evenings final event was the always hard-fought race within A and B Grades this evening was no exception.  With only two A Grade riders, the main race was going to be for line honours in B Grade. The pace settled down for a lap before Mike the missile Proudfoot took off, but his effort was all for nought as B Grade re-joined him. The pace was very high with a number of riders trying to break free. As the race entered the final minutes, Mike took off to gain a race winning move. Gary Clareburt appeared to have the B Grade win sown up as the race entered the last lap but a determined surge by Dwight Garten and James de Hair (a 15 year old junior-well done James) flew past Gary to take out first and second. Leon finished second A Grade.

A Grade Results:

Mike Proudfoot            1^st          15 Points

Leon Goodwin               2^nd         12 Points

B Grade Results:

Dwight Garten               1^st          15 Points

James de Hair                2^nd         12 Points

Gary Clareburt               3^rd         10 Points

Jon Cox                            4^th         9 Points

Lee Pownall                    5^th         8 Points

Tristan Ratcliffe             6^th         4 Points

The points race is hotting up, remember everyone scores points. A major club trophy will be awarded to the rider gaining the highest number of points throughout the grades with individual grade winners receiving a trophy. Join the club and compete for a trophy. Next week is our last at Southwards before we move to Nga Manu for the remainder of the summer series.

Big shout out to Di and Neil for assisting at registration, Dave Downer for setting up the course and taking down plus club members assisting.