Road Champs 2005
24-09-2005

RAMBLERS CYCLING CLUB - Saturday 24 September 2005

Excellent spring conditions saw what must be the best ever turnout for the Ramblers Cycling Club Road Race Championships with 110 riders registering to compete on Saturday from Bridge Pa School. With racing grades based on BikeNZ age groups rather than ability, it was pleasing to see a large number of lower graded riders registering and racing with their high ranked counterparts. A contingent of six Wellington riders, including former New Zealand mountain bike representative and Ramblers’ club member Craig Lawn, joined the club on the day to compete.

In the combined under 23 and Senior Men race over 101km, the Wellington contingent proved too strong in early cross winds and split the bunch. This resulted in Joseph Cooper of Wellington taking first place across the line with Craig Lawn second with the next two places also occupied by Wellington riders. First local rider home was Josh Page and as the winner said the cup should go to the first local rider, Page will be the recipient of the 2005 U23/Senior Men’s road race cup and title.

The Vet 1 & 2 men’s race started at pace with T Taufale attacking from the line. However, his recent lack of racing soon showed and he was unable to match the pace of the peleton. Robert Taylor rode aggressively and tried to split the bunch on a number of occasions, but, by the second lap of the 67km race, it was apparent a sprint finish would be the most likely outcome. With Patrick Kelly leading the sprint out, Mark Coombe took the inside line to beat Kerry Harford to the line who was closely followed by Robert Taylor.

Margaret Radich secured another club title as part of her preparation for next months National Championships by winning the 67km Vet 1 women’s race with Ann Robottom second and Johanna Ruiterman third.

The training efforts of Susan Tunnicliff paid off as she won the women’s Vet 2 title from Shona Brown and Rosemary Weskett. Meanwhile, he husband Ken Tunnicliff was taking out the Vet 5 & 6 men’s title from Allan Simpson and Roy van Panhuys.

David Joyce continued his good form to win the Vet 3 & 4 men’s race from Peter Gavin with Bruce Galloway third.

Smaller fields in other grades saw Danielle Harford win the under 15 girls race unopposed, David Kelly edging out Rory Mackenzie in the closing metres in the under 15 boys, Eric White winning unopposed in the under 17 boys, Josh Brannigan winning the under 19 men’s race from Westley Gough and Naomi Edwards winning the Senior Women’s race from last years winner Gemma Newland.

Next weekend, the club is holding its Individual Time Trial Club Championships from Puketapu School on the Dartmoor Road course.

Ramblers Cycling Club Results

Road Race Club Championships 24 September 2005 – Bridge Pa

U 15 Girls 33 km (28.54avs)
Danielle Harford (1.09.22) 1.

U15 Boys 33 km (29.37avs)
David Kelly (1.07.25) 1; Rory Mackenzie 2.

U17 Boys 67 km (36.65avs)
Eric White (1.49.42) 1.

Senior Women 67 km (30.99avs)
Naomi Edwards (2.09.43) 1; Gemma Newland 2.

Vet 1 Women 67 km (31.55avs)
Margaret Radich (2.07.24) 1; Ann Robottom 2; Johanna Ruiterman 3.

Vet 2 Women 67 km (31.55avs)
Susan Tunnicliff (2.07.24) 1; Shona Brown 2; Rosemary Weskett 3; Glenda Finnemore 4; Carolyn Foote 5.

Vet 1 Men 67 km (36.65avs)
Mark Coombe (1.49.42) 1; Kerry Harford 2; Robert Taylor 3; Kevin Burgess 4; Darryl Strachan 5; Andrew Townsend 6.

Vet 2 Men 67 km (35.11avs)
David Joyce (1.54.30) 1; Peter Gavin 2; Bruce Galloway 3; Ian Seddon 4; Ian Wright 5; Paul Roberts 6.

Vet 3 Men 67 km (34.14avs)
Ken Tunnicliffe (1.57.46) 1; Allan Simpson 2; Roy van Panhuys 3; Derek Ward 4; Bryan Yates 5; Rob Oliver 6.

U19 Men 101 km (38.55avs)
Josh Brannigan (2.37.12) 1; Westley Gough 2.

U23 & Senior Men 101 km (39.80avs)
Joseph Cooper (2.32.15) 1; Craig Lawn 2; Brent Backhouse 3; Andrew Meo 4; Josh Page 5; Saul Webb 6.