A successful first day with Fraser Gough (1st year u19) facing a challanging ride with the Benchmark trade team riders working well together to look after Josh Atkins and shutting down attempts by the peleton and Fraser to bridge an early break of 6 riders.
Fraser finishing 1:44 off GC and out to 1:47 in third place after stage 2 with the 22.5km TT tomorrow and at least 10 of the 66 riders within 2 minutes of GC.
Shaun Simpson has survived 215km over two stages of challenging South Waikato country and will be happy to finish his first major tour.
Ashleigh Neave (U19) and Kerri-anne Torckler(Open Women)in a combined race are both well in contention with Ashleigh 2nd in QOM and 2nd in U19GC 2 secs behind Georgia Williams leading into the 15km TT and Kerri-anne getting 2nd and 3rd stage places, 2nd on GC behind Courtney Lowe 3sec on GC. Megan Watson and Hannah van Kampen both rode well in their first year at this level and are looking to improve next weekend in Rotorua Junior Tour.
U17 boys fought well in stages 1 and 2 but lost some time in the more demanding Sunday 86 km stage with Lance Welch 1 minute ahead of James Lochhead with Logan Bean a few seconds behind and Mike Garrity another minute back all in the middle of the 65 stong field. The TT tomorrow will be interesting with 13 including Hayden McCormick who dominated the CHB junior tour currently 8th but well in contention.
Crystal Amy (u17 girls) gutst it out over the the first two days and is showing the true spirit of cycling to finish her first major tour in the 15km TT tomorrow.
Regan Gough had a huge 3rd stage to put a 1:43 on Ollie Jones and will be looking to continue the Gough family pillage of medals from this event in the 9km tt tomorrow. William Green used all of his tactical nouse surprising the commisaires to ride back to the bunch and get up to 5th on the line in their 35km stage today. Tobias Robertshawe also had a strong ride to finish 8th today and all will be looking to improve their GC position tommorow and are all within top 5.
A great camp at the rowing headquarters in Karapiro with James Fulford (budding soignuer) Penny Gough (Chief Cook) and Ivar Hopman (Manager, Organiser, Coach) and several of the Dads all adding to a well run and happy outfit. Most of us are amazed at Ivars energy and commitment on these camps and he always manages to create a happy and supportive team atmosphere.
