BIKENZ TEAM RELEASE - NZ CYCLE CLASSIC STAGE 5

BIKENZ TEAM RELEASE – NZ CYCLE CLASSIC STAGE 5
It was thumbs-up for the BikeNZ endurance track squad after Auckland’s Aaron Gate sprinted his way to victory in the final stage of the New Zealand Cycle Classic in Palmerston North today.
Gate is part of the BikeNZ squad of Sam Bewley, Marc Ryan, Shane Archbold and Myron Simpson who used New Zealand’s only UCI sanctioned road tour as part of their Olympic preparations. They finished with two stage wins in the five stage event around the Manawatu.
Talented Australian Jay McCarthy (Jayco-AIS) managed to finish safely in the peloton in today’s 111-km final circuit stage in Palmerston North to retain his winning margin and claim the overall tour victory.
Gate capped off a superb day from the BikeNZ track squad who were prominent throughout the stage, keeping a fast pace that split the field.
“We organised before the race that we would try to split the bunch up in the crosswinds,” said Gate.
“The wind was pretty brutal today. I definitely had a couple of times in the gutter struggling along. But we were the ones trying to make the other people hurt at times so it definitely worked in our favour.
“Coming down the home straight I had the perfect lead out from Sam (Bewley) and Marc (Ryan).”

Gate’s win follows the stage three victory by Bewley to top off an excellent tour as they prepare for the upcoming Track World Championships and London Olympics campaigns.

“It’s been a really good solid week of training leading into the track world champs in April,” said Gate. “It’s good to get the kilometres in and great that the team could pull off two stage wins as well.”
McCarthy was strong enough in the final sprint to beat off rival Darren Lapthorne (Drapac) for the tour win, after holding a mere three second buffer over his fellow Australian going into the final stage.
“I’m very happy to come away with the win. The team did everything for me. It was a hard day today. Big ups to the New Zealand national team for making it a hard race,” said McCarthy.
However it was Wellington’s Joseph Cooper (Ricoh) who posed the biggest threat to McCarthy when he broke away with 20km remaining. But McCarthy’s teammate Nick Aitken, went with Cooper to cover the break and ensure he could not gain the minute and a half he needed to take the lead.
“I knew there was always going to be pressure today, but it wasn’t just Drapac giving it to us. We had Joe Cooper up the road with 20kms to go. But it made it a bit easier knowing that I had my teammate Nick Aitken up there.”
Cooper’s break proved short-lived as the BikeNZ team set Gate for the sprint, with the Wellington rider however earning the King of the Mountain title, which he won at this event last year.
Taupo professional Patrick Bevin, based in the United States, took out the sprint classification.
Provisional results

Stage 5, 111km: Aaron Gate (BikeNZ) 2:35:00, 1; Thomas Palmer (Drapac Professional Cycling) same time 2; Joe Lewis (RBS Morgans – ATS) same time, 3.

Final General Classification: Jay McCarthy (Jayco-AIS) 12:32:53, 1; Darren Lapthorne (Drapac Professional Cycling) at 9 secs, 2; Campbell Flakemore (Genesys Wealth Advisors) at 1.17, 3.
CAPTION: BikeNZ’s Aaron Gate sprints clear to take out the final stage of the New Zealand Cycle Classic in Palmerston North today. The images is free for editorial use only. Mandatory credit: Mark Mathews - BikeNZ
NOTE: Official results and report to follow from Tour Organisers.


For further information contact:
IAN HEPENSTALL
Media Liaison, BikeNZ High Performance
Sports Media NZ Ltd

BIKENZ TEAM RELEASE – NZ CYCLE CLASSIC STAGE 4

BikeNZ’s Olympic men’s track squad set the pace on the penultimate stage of the New Zealand Cycle Classic in the Manawatu today.

It was an aggressive day of racing that saw the yellow jersey change hands, with young Australian Jay McCarthy (Jayco-AIS) taking over as the new tour leader.

A brave move by world omnium silver medallist Shane Archbold from the BikeNZ team almost put the icing on the cake following teammate Sam Bewley’s stage win yesterday, but he came up just short in a late break.

“It was a nice course for us track riders, so we tried to get in a breakaway all day,” said Archbold.

“I was in the break for the last few kilometres with two Australians. The Jayco-AIS rider decided to sit on so his teammate could get the time bonus and it then became quite hard with just two of us working so I decided to sit-up.”

The break was caught in the final kilometre, with Thomas Palmer (Drapac) taking line honours in the bunch sprint ahead of McCarthy and Taupo’s Patrick Bevin (Hudson Gavin Martin).

“I wasn’t sprinting well today,” said Archbold. “We thought that maybe Aaron (Gate) could get up there but the Australians were just too fast.”

The time bonus that McCarthy received for his second place in the sprint finish was sufficient for him to overtake compatriot Darren Lapthorne (Drapac) and claim the tour leader’s yellow jersey.

“I’ve got a bit of a sprint on me, but sometimes in those big bunch kicks you can get a bit lost,” said McCarthy.

“Today everything went to plan though. I followed the right wheels and it ended second which gave me the time bonus I needed, so it was awesome,’ said McCarthy.

“It was a big ride by the Jayco boys today. We had a couple of boys at 1.15 so the plan was to get them up the road and put the pressure on Drapac. They were there all the way with us,” said McCarthy.

He takes just a three second lead into tomorrow’s final stage which comprises a 111km circuit around the outskirts of Palmerston North, which is set to be a showdown between the two Australian teams of Jayco-AIS and Drapac.

Subway Pro Cycling’s Nick Lovegrove, who was second behind Bewley yesterday, finished in the main bunch today to claim the tour sprint jersey.

Leading provisional results, stage 4, 111km: Thomas Palmer (Drapac) 2.29,08, 1; Jay McCarthy (Jayco-AIS) same time, 2; Patrick Bevin (Hudson Gavin Martin) same time, 3.

General Classification after stage 4: McCarthy 9.57.53, 1; Darren Lapthorne (Drapac) at 3 seconds, 2; Campbell Flakemore (Genesys Wealth Advisors) at 1:17, 3.

NOTE: Official results and report to follow from Tour Organisers.

For interviews with BikeNZ team contact:
Sarah van Boheemen
BikeNZ
Tel 021 599103

For further information contact:
IAN HEPENSTALL
Media Liaison, BikeNZ High Performance
Sports Media NZ Ltd

BIKENZ TEAM RELEASE – NZ CYCLE CLASSIC STAGE 1

Olympic track hopeful Sam Bewley led the BikeNZ team after the opening stage of the New Zealand Cycle Classic in Palmerston North today.

Bewley is part of the BikeNZ endurance track squad who are using New Zealand’s only UCI sanctioned road tour as part of their Olympic preparations. The four-day tour around the Manawatu has attracted 21 teams from USA, Australia and New Zealand headed by US-based Team Type 1 Sanofi, a full UCI Continental team.

Bewley (Rotorua), who raced for the Radioshack team on the World Tour last year, was one of six riders to be separated by just thousandths of a second.

“I’m pretty happy with my result – I didn’t think that I would be that far up there. I’ve had a few weeks not doing much intensity so this is a good start to the tour,” said Bewley.

“The tour is really about training for us. I would like to go well here, but I’m not sure if I am up for it. I had a big break over Christmas. I have just been back training for a few weeks. If the legs are good I’ll try to go well, but if not it will still be some good solid training.”

The tour is ideally positioned to provide some high-intensity racing for Bewley, and BikeNZ teammates Aaron Gate (Auckland), Myron Simpson (Auckland), Marc Ryan (Timaru) and Shane Archbold (Timaru) before they head to the RaboDirect Track National Championships in Invercargill next weekend.

It was 19-year-old Australian Campbell Flakemore (Genesys Wealth Advisors) who claimed the honours in the opening 7.1 m individual time trial in 9 minutes 28 seconds to win the first stage and the yellow jersey in his first international race.

The top six riders all clocked 9min 28sec, to suggest the Tour will be closely fought.

Christchurch rider Michael Vink (Mico-Protrain), overall winner of the recent national road championships, is the highest ranked Kiwi, placing second. He finished ahead of Damien Howson (Jayco-AIS, Australia), Nick Aitken (Jayco-AIS, Australia) Paul Odlin (Subway Pro Cycling, Christchurch), Joseph Cooper ( Ricoh, Wellington) and Bewley with the top seven separated by less than a second.

Tomorrow’s second stage is a 143 km loop starting and finishing in Palmerston North.

Provisional results, Stage 1, NZ Cycle Classic, Palmerston North, 7.1km time trial: Campbell Flakemore (Genesys Wealth Advisors, Australia) 9.28.180, 1; Michael Vink (Mico-Protrain) 9.29.233, 2; Damien Howson (Jayco-AIS) 9.29.280, 3.

NOTE: Official release and confirmed results to follow from organiser.

For further information contact:

IAN HEPENSTALL
Media Liaison, BikeNZ High Performance
Sports Media NZ Ltd

Hastings Sunday Ride (29th February)

Seeing as this ride did not happen on the 8th due to Weather

Long Ride - Kereru top of hill past School and return (100km)
Short Ride - Valley Road, Raukawa road and return (50km)

Saturday Racing: 28th January 2012 - Graded ITT

Circuit: Omaranui/Swamp
Assembly/signin: At the Puketapu end of Swamp Road
Toilet facilities: Puketapu Domain
Race start time: from 2pm
Race Starter: Mark Coombe
Race Day Emergency Phone: 027 426 6895
Pre-entry is required
Riders MUST pre-enter this event. You can do so by emailing Mark markc@bwr.co.nz by Thursday evening (26th) to ensure you receive a start-time.
Remember you must be a fully paid up member for 2012 in order to be in the race-start database, and of course to be eligible for a race result

Thursday Night Ride: 26th January

This week meet at the start of Simla Ave for the second Te Mata Peak Hill Climb.

29th January: 2012 Cyclocross getting warmed up!

CXHB are kicking off with some pre season off road rides starting end of this month, we are running a Sunday ride at the end of each month starting at 9am. Venues will be posted here on the blog but will be approx 2-3hrs long.
The first ride will commence January 29th meeting at the Tait Road entrance to the Eskdale MTB Park and will ride up Waipunga Road to Kaiwaka Road, turn right to state HW 2, dog leg to Tongoio-Settlement Road, returning to Eskdale via state HW 2.
This ride can be completed on a cyclocross bike or MTB, road bikes have been used on this route however there will be 30km of gravel so punctures may hamper road tyres. So get your dirt bikes out and come join us for some fun, long range forecast tell CXHB organisers that it will be a 'rainy day' so we are hoping for a few mud holes on the way! It has even been heard that Ian Seddon is making a special appearance on his 29er MTB!
All riders are welcome

Tour de Beautiful

CHB Cycling put on another lovely day over a beautiful course. Thank you to organisers and marshals.
Congratulations to winners Jeremy Yates (100km) and Andrew Bott (50km).

GWALOOP: NZ's longest one day cycle challenge (204km)

Jeremy Vennell (with his parents as crew) and Allan Black (Allan’s wife, Mariana, and Colin Cameron crewed for him) made Ramblers proud.

Jeremy finished in first place overall 5:47:55:09
Allan finished first in the 55+ age group 6:42:50:16
Allan's time was slightly down on his last year’s effort due to a strong head wind over the last 40kms or so. Gisborne used 'special tactics' to try and upset Jeremy’s race plan, but he just bided his time and struck when when he sensed a weakness in the opposition.
The special tactics involved using strong man Peter Murphy on a fully kitted out time trial bike comlete with disc wheel for part of the race. For the first 20km or so going around the Patutahi loop they were sitting on 60kph. This REALLY strung the bunch out - they were fair 'smokin' on the Poverty Bay flats leading up to the Wharerata hills! At one point Allan said the pace backed off a bit - he looked down at his speedo and saw that they had only backed off to 52kph

Read both of there full stories under the results section (Ed)

Club Uniform Available

The recent shipment of club uniform arrived a week ago and some orders have already been distributed. To arrange collection of your order, please email Helen ramblersgirl@gmail.com

Due to production overruns we have a limited stock of some uniform items available and that these will be sold to the first people who email info@ramblers.co.nz stating the item/s and size/s wanted. Payment can be made by cheque or internet banking.
Leg warmers - $40 (1x small, 2x medium, 1x large)
Vests $85 (2x small, 1x medium, 1x large, 1x XXL)
Womens Bib Shorts $75 (1x small)
Shoe Covers $30
Caps $20

RCC Drink Bottles for RCC Members

All those who have joined/rejoined Ramblers and have paid fees by January 31st will receive a Ramblers-branded Drink Bottle. These will be distributed in February.

Only those members who have completed the membership application process in FULL will be added to the timing database.

Payment of subs does not constitute a complete membership application.

ALL members (new and returning) need to complete, sign and submit a paper membership form

OR accept the BikeNZ declaration when they apply online through BikeNZ.

The quickest way to ensure your membership is processed is to post your completed forms with payment in to PO Box 8548, Havelock North 4157 or to enter online. If you hand your forms or payment to a committee member or other club official, there may be delays in processing.
Remember, sign up before February for 2012 membership to receive a classy drink bottle

February: Bike Wise Challenge (All month)

Grab at least five workmates, log at least five bike trips each during February and go in the draw to win $100 Avanti vouchers, spot prizes, bragging rights and even lunch at Clearview Winery. Find out more http://govt.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8e6a0a1a7c092a0f6e7c3170c&id=c1b557304d&e=db47c2251a

5th February: Big Bike Fix Up

Bring your bike to the Clock Tower in Hastings between 10am and 11.30am for a free check up by our top team of mechanics.
To find out more http://govt.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8e6a0a1a7c092a0f6e7c3170c&id=a19136c48e&e=db47c2251a

6th February: Philip Burns Memorial Criterium

ALL Ramblers members are invited to the Phillip Burns Memorial Criterion at Otane on Monday 6th Feb. Join grades from A-G to race the Otane Circuit (Whites Road, Dees Street, Bell Street, Knorp Street). Start from 1pm with prize-giving afterwards at the Otane Hotel.

18th February: Art Deco Bicycle Belles

Meet the Bicycle Belles at the SoundShell at 9.30am and take part in Napier's Art Deco Weekend. You will proceed in a (dis)orderly fashion around to East Pier for refreshments.
Gold Coin donation for the Art Deco Trust.
Everyone (male, female, any age) is welcome to join this ride