Jeremy Yates finished off a golden weekend for the Ramblers Cycling Club when he won the Senior Men title at the 2008 Lions Foundation National Club Road Cycling Championship at Wanganui on Sunday. This one brought the Hawkes Bay Club’s tally to six gold, two silver and two bronze medals at this four day event.
On a cold, wet and windy Montgomery-Kai Iwi course, north-west of Wanganui, Yates made short work of his two companions, James Williamson and Gordon McCauley. After fighting the elements in the154km long race, the 80+ bunch of Senior and Under 23 riders was whittled down to this trio. The pressure was on Yates, not only as the 2007 defending champion but also with the added pressure of having his name inadvertently engraved on the trophy as this year’s winner.
With less than 10km to go Yates and Williamson, Subway Racing Team mates, dropped McCauley to set up a thrilling finale. The Hastings rider won his second Senior title in a row, with a strong attack within the last two km.
On Saturday, planning and tactics came to fruition in the Masters Men 2 race, as the Ramblers team of Andrew Townsend, Robert Taylor and Neil Evans helped to set up Kerry Harford. They all covered the main rivals, wearing them down; Harford was left to bring home the gold with his razor sharp sprint, winning his first National road title.
The Masters 3 team went one better. Designated helper Bret Hart set up the in-form Darryl Strachan for a golden race and ended up claiming silver himself. With Steve Watson, Dave Youngquest and Ken MacKenzie riding interference back in the pack, the two rabbits turned into hares and bolted. The two leaders started the last 31km lap with a healthy two minute gap. Fighting fatigue and a howling southerly they managed to hold on to bring in the double for the team.
The rest of the medals were won in the Time Trail; gold from Ashleigh Neave (Under 17 Girls), Ken MacKenzie(Masters 3 Men), silver from Richard Brough(Masters 1 Men), bronze for Andrew Townsend(Masters 2 Men), Road Race gold medal for Sue Tunnicliff(Masters 5 Women) and bronze for Alan Black( Masters 6 Men). Together these medals made this one of the Ramblers most successful Club National campaigns.
From Ivar Hopman
Thanks Ivar , Ben and all the supporters and helpers for help making this a successful and enjoyable campaign . Ed
Monday, October 27, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Day 3 Afternoon at the Road Nationals
Unfortunately the mornings success was unable to emulated by Ramblers Riders though some very familiar faces in the Hawke's Bay and on Jeremy Yates training rides had success.In the Vet 1 mens, Under 19 Mens and Senior woman's racing was held in difficult conditions and the forecast westerly winds kicked in in earnest. The Vet 1 men had to endure 4 laps of the testing 32.3 km circuit with the long leg straight into the wind. Richard Brough and Mark Coombes hang on for three of the gruelling laps before Herman (Craig Lawn) along with Wellington team mate Brent Backhouse and Ben Eavns from Marsden Wheelers ripped the field apart, Craig outsprinted the other 2 to take the Gold. Richard finished 10th in the chasing pack with Mark 15th further behind.
Bridget Robertshaw finished 13th in the Senior Womans Road Race over the same 124km distance as the Vet 1 and under 19 Men. The race was won by Serena Sheridan (riding for Star and Garters) after Southlands Dale Tye who was minutes ahead after 3 laps ended up blowing and pulling out.
The under 19 mens also in difficult conditions was won by New Plymouth's Tom Findlay outsprinting Star and Garters George Bennet and Tinwald Jason Christie close behind. Sean Joyce finished a creditable 7th coming 2nd in the main chasing pack sprint nearly two minutes back. Rory MacKenzie and Jeremy Stephens both in their first year at this level did not finish along with 26 others of the 46 starters reflecting how poor the condtions became. The spectators had an exiting few moments hanging on to the tents after one concertina aluminium shelter took off and damaged several cars and a bus
Bridget Robertshaw finished 13th in the Senior Womans Road Race over the same 124km distance as the Vet 1 and under 19 Men. The race was won by Serena Sheridan (riding for Star and Garters) after Southlands Dale Tye who was minutes ahead after 3 laps ended up blowing and pulling out.
The under 19 mens also in difficult conditions was won by New Plymouth's Tom Findlay outsprinting Star and Garters George Bennet and Tinwald Jason Christie close behind. Sean Joyce finished a creditable 7th coming 2nd in the main chasing pack sprint nearly two minutes back. Rory MacKenzie and Jeremy Stephens both in their first year at this level did not finish along with 26 others of the 46 starters reflecting how poor the condtions became. The spectators had an exiting few moments hanging on to the tents after one concertina aluminium shelter took off and damaged several cars and a bus
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Day three at Nationals brings early Success
Several plans where hatched after consuming thought provoking Gold medal Glazebrook wines kindly supplied by Mr Peter Gough master pasta chef. Both of the early plans coming to fruition with Gold to Kerry Harford in the Master 2 and Gold for Darryl Strachan combining with a Silver for Bret Hart in the Masters 3. In Masters 2 Andrew Townsend covered Lester Settle from Pegasus in an early break away in the first lap with Kerry in the box seat covering Chris Nicholson from Nelson the outright TT Winner. Neil Evans and Robert Taylor both working as domestiques work the bunch over in the early stages and paid for it later on finishing satisfied to be part of a successful plan but at the back of the pack. At the start of the third lap Kerry with Andrew combined to put the pressure on the remaining 10 riders with the majority of the peleton blown to bits. A small chasing group of 3 regrouped with the two Ramblers to contest the medals in a sprint once again dominated by Kerry.
Darryl Winning Vet 3
In the vet 3's Ben Rowell (Club Captain) devised a plan to get Bret up the road early and then Darryl to try and jump across. This worked a treat with Steve Watson attacking up the first small climb and Bret rolling through while the pack sat and watched. A milk tanker gave a small lift for Darryl to easily get across and the game was on. With both Bret and Darryl relatively unknown at this level and Ken Mac Kenzie winning the TT the pack was happy to sit and watch Ken who along with David Youngquest amused themselves making sure the pack couldn't get organised to put in a decent chase. Bret working hard with Darryl managed to get out to 3 minutes at one point with the last 31km lap to go. Great excitement on the finish line for a happy team of supporters and helpers with Kerry's sprint in the Vet 2's and Vet 3's Darryl finishing about 20 minutes later. Bret rolled in 2nd about a hundred meters behind with the pack another 30 Seconds and third taken by PNP.
Bret takes the Silver
Darryl Winning Vet 3
In the vet 3's Ben Rowell (Club Captain) devised a plan to get Bret up the road early and then Darryl to try and jump across. This worked a treat with Steve Watson attacking up the first small climb and Bret rolling through while the pack sat and watched. A milk tanker gave a small lift for Darryl to easily get across and the game was on. With both Bret and Darryl relatively unknown at this level and Ken Mac Kenzie winning the TT the pack was happy to sit and watch Ken who along with David Youngquest amused themselves making sure the pack couldn't get organised to put in a decent chase. Bret working hard with Darryl managed to get out to 3 minutes at one point with the last 31km lap to go. Great excitement on the finish line for a happy team of supporters and helpers with Kerry's sprint in the Vet 2's and Vet 3's Darryl finishing about 20 minutes later. Bret rolled in 2nd about a hundred meters behind with the pack another 30 Seconds and third taken by PNP.
Bret takes the Silver
First Day of road races brings more medals home for Ramblers
Friday 24-10-2008
First day of the road races at the Club Nationals we reaped two more medals to add to our allready impressive tally.
After missing the decisive break from John Dean and Ray Robinson, our Masters 6 Alan Black was left to fight for bronze, and he did this with ferve. Alan sprinted to his podium place, leaving his name sake John Black to ponder what if. Roy van Panhuys ended up checking out the Wanganui drainage system, finishing at the tail end of the field.
Sue Tunnicliff went one better than last year, this time taking the gold in the Masters 5 Women race. Sue started in a combined 3/4/5/6 Masters Women field, were she only had to concede to Masters 3 winner Liz Williamson.
First prize for work effort in the Masters Men 5 should go to Ian Frazer, he constantly tried to break the pack with stinging attacks on the gentle slopes of the Montgomery circuit. To no avail, as the pack regrouped every time, leaving the lesser gods to pick the fruits from Ian's Labour. The final bunch kick was won by a rider who has been sitting at the back the whole day, no work and all the glory.
Team tactics from a combined Auckland-Waikato Under 17 Girls pack nullified all Ashleigh Neave's attacks and attempts. Their Jaffa/Mulloo plan backfired big time, as in the end none of them ended up on the podium. Giving the "sit in the pack" sprinters a dream ride to the finish were they just had to contest the last 200mtr and collect the medals.
Our Under 15 Boys raced their hearts out trying to stay with the pack, but they were out-gunned by some very mature looking 14 year olds. With a few more years left in this grade our boys will definetly have another chance to crack the big one. Well done William Green, Logan Bean, Tim Lutter, James Fulford and Regan Gough.
In the end we had a day of elation and frustration, but at least the weather was fine, light winds and warm sunny conditions. With camp cook Peter "Pirate" Gough again brewing up a great meal of pasta and salads, accompanied by a fine cheeky Hawkes Bay red, everything ended up on a high.
First day of the road races at the Club Nationals we reaped two more medals to add to our allready impressive tally.
After missing the decisive break from John Dean and Ray Robinson, our Masters 6 Alan Black was left to fight for bronze, and he did this with ferve. Alan sprinted to his podium place, leaving his name sake John Black to ponder what if. Roy van Panhuys ended up checking out the Wanganui drainage system, finishing at the tail end of the field.
Sue Tunnicliff went one better than last year, this time taking the gold in the Masters 5 Women race. Sue started in a combined 3/4/5/6 Masters Women field, were she only had to concede to Masters 3 winner Liz Williamson.
First prize for work effort in the Masters Men 5 should go to Ian Frazer, he constantly tried to break the pack with stinging attacks on the gentle slopes of the Montgomery circuit. To no avail, as the pack regrouped every time, leaving the lesser gods to pick the fruits from Ian's Labour. The final bunch kick was won by a rider who has been sitting at the back the whole day, no work and all the glory.
Team tactics from a combined Auckland-Waikato Under 17 Girls pack nullified all Ashleigh Neave's attacks and attempts. Their Jaffa/Mulloo plan backfired big time, as in the end none of them ended up on the podium. Giving the "sit in the pack" sprinters a dream ride to the finish were they just had to contest the last 200mtr and collect the medals.
Our Under 15 Boys raced their hearts out trying to stay with the pack, but they were out-gunned by some very mature looking 14 year olds. With a few more years left in this grade our boys will definetly have another chance to crack the big one. Well done William Green, Logan Bean, Tim Lutter, James Fulford and Regan Gough.
In the end we had a day of elation and frustration, but at least the weather was fine, light winds and warm sunny conditions. With camp cook Peter "Pirate" Gough again brewing up a great meal of pasta and salads, accompanied by a fine cheeky Hawkes Bay red, everything ended up on a high.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Great Day at the Time Trials for Ramblers at Nationals in Wanganui
Congratulations Asheligh Neave and Ken Mac Kenzie "Gold", Richard Brough "Silver" and Andrew Townsend "Bronze"
Commentary from Ivar ---
We had some good results today at The Lion Foundation National Club Road Race Champs in Wanganui.
Sacred Heart College student Ashleigh Neave blitz the Under 17 Girls field, taking the gold medal in the 10km time trial by 10 seconds from Courtney Grenfell.
Dartmoor farmer Ken MacKenzie repeated his last year feat, winning the Masters Men 3 grade 20km time trial by 1min18.
Richard Brough had close shave, winning a silver medal in the Masters Men 1 grade 25km time trial by point four seconds from Manu Robson.
In the Masters Men 2 grade the Hub Cycle Centre mechanic, Andrew Townsend won a bronze medal, only 7 seconds behind Lester Settle in second place.
The hard luck story has to go Fraser Gough, finishing fifth in the Under 17 Boys time trial only six meazily seconds from a medal, showing the depth of talent at the top of his grade. With one more year in this junior grade Fraser will have enough time to showcase his talent.
In Friday's road race we again have some medal prospect with Ashleigh Neave, Sarah and Megan Watson in the Under 17 Girls, Alan Black and Roy van Panhuys in the Masters Men 6, Sue & Ken Tunnicliff and Ian Fraser in the Masters Women/Men 5, Ian Wright in Masters Men 4 and last but not least our young guns in Under 15 Boys, William Green, Tim Lutter, Logan Bean and Regan Gough. Watch This Space
Ivar Hopman
Commentary from Ivar ---
We had some good results today at The Lion Foundation National Club Road Race Champs in Wanganui.
Sacred Heart College student Ashleigh Neave blitz the Under 17 Girls field, taking the gold medal in the 10km time trial by 10 seconds from Courtney Grenfell.
Dartmoor farmer Ken MacKenzie repeated his last year feat, winning the Masters Men 3 grade 20km time trial by 1min18.
Richard Brough had close shave, winning a silver medal in the Masters Men 1 grade 25km time trial by point four seconds from Manu Robson.
In the Masters Men 2 grade the Hub Cycle Centre mechanic, Andrew Townsend won a bronze medal, only 7 seconds behind Lester Settle in second place.
The hard luck story has to go Fraser Gough, finishing fifth in the Under 17 Boys time trial only six meazily seconds from a medal, showing the depth of talent at the top of his grade. With one more year in this junior grade Fraser will have enough time to showcase his talent.
In Friday's road race we again have some medal prospect with Ashleigh Neave, Sarah and Megan Watson in the Under 17 Girls, Alan Black and Roy van Panhuys in the Masters Men 6, Sue & Ken Tunnicliff and Ian Fraser in the Masters Women/Men 5, Ian Wright in Masters Men 4 and last but not least our young guns in Under 15 Boys, William Green, Tim Lutter, Logan Bean and Regan Gough. Watch This Space
Ivar Hopman
Monday, October 6, 2008
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Susy Pryde is coming to town
ENZA has been so kind to sponsor a talk by ex-CHB elite woman cyclist Susy Pryde. Suzie has many National and International titles on her CV, in different cycling disciplines. Come and hear this inspirational athlete talk about her career highlights.
For all of our juniors; its school holidays so come and listen to this remarkable lady and have a chance to talk to her about your dreams and aspirations.
When: 1pm, 8 October
Where: Cheval Room, Hastings Racecourse
New Zealand Secondary School Champs Feilding
The Ramblers were well represented at this event. This annual event attracts more than 500 young secondary school kids from all over New Zealand. On the Sunday the Road Race took place on a rolling course to the west of Fielding. William Green pulled a stunner out of the hat by finishing 5th in the Year7/8 road race and a 5th in the Mansfield Points Race the next day. Regan Gough showed his talent, scoring a third place in the fast and furious points race.
Year 7/8 | Road | Points/Place |
William Green | 5 | 5 |
Regan Gough | 12 | 3 |
James Fulford | 13 | 10 |
Tobias Robertshawe | 23 | 19 |
Under 15 Boys | ||
Tim Lutter | 9 | 17 |
Logan Bean | 30 | crashed |
Under 16 Boys | ||
Fraser Gough | DNS | 5 |
Sven Hopman | 30 | 69 |
Under 16 Girls | ||
Megan Watson | 12 | 22 |
Under 17 Girls | ||
Sarah Watson | 25 | DNS |
Under 17 Boys | ||
Shaun Simpson | 26 | 10 |
Under 20 Boys | ||
Jeremy Stephens | DNF | 53 |
Chris Symons | 52 | 51 |
All of our riders were beaming after this great weekend; speed, spills and glory. Well done all of you guys, you left it all on the track.
Under 17 2008 Novice Tour
There were only 2 Ramblers riders competing at this event, but they held the Ramblers name high. Fraser Gough scored a sixth place overall in the boys event. Ashleigh Neave came home with a second overall and a second in Queen of the Mountain. Both these riders worked really hard for their outstanding results in this four stage 106km race.
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