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
