Cycling: Rain retreats leave ideal race conditions

The Ramblers Cycling Club's Spring Series continued on Saturday with an individual time trial from Omarunui Rd.

All grades in the Heretaunga Building Society-powered event completed 25km against the clock over the course which started in Omarunui Rd, turned left into Swamp Rd, did a U-turn at the end of Swamp Rd, then turned left into Moteo Pa Rd before finishing at the base of the hill.

With a fortnight until the 22nd annual Strata Group Tour of the Bay, 85 riders took the opportunity to race. Starting at 30-second intervals, racing was held in virtually ideal conditions as the rain cleared prior to the start and the road dried out.

With little wind and a relatively flat course, the so-called "race of truth" favoured those with aerodynamic time-trial racing equipment.

In the A grade, Dan Warren blitzed the course in 33m30s to average 44.8km/h and edge out Michael Torckler by five seconds. Josh Page followed up his strong second placing in the previous week's Taupo-Napier Classic with a 43.4km/h average speed for third-fastest time of the day.

Brett Harte and Doug McIntosh were the only two B grade riders to crack the coveted 40km/h average mark with Harte recording 36m13s at 41.4km/h to beat McIntosh by 55s.

Kerri-Anne Page was another 38s in arrears in third place.

Less than 25 seconds separated the top three finishers in C grade, with Craig Hill achieving a time of 39m03s to finish 13s ahead of Steve Nicholls, with Richard Gray another 10s back in third place.

Tandem pairings rode to victory in the D and F grades.

Mark Todd and Pauline Summers finished in 39m17s to finish 32s ahead of Laura Harris in D grade while the F grade victory of Brian and Roxanne Kelly was much more clearcut with a 1m42s margin over Ann Robottom. The Kelly pairing were probably spurred on by their 13-year-old grandson Nicholas Kelly, who rode impressively for third place at an average speed of 32.3km/h as opposed to a 24.6km/h average he achieved back in January.

Only eight riders registered in E grade with Stu McKie recording the fastest time of 43m29s. Dave Marett was 36s slower in second place.

The G grade field acquitted themselves well to the task with all riders averaging over 25km/h. Janice Kennerley recorded 28.9km/h for first place, Teresa White finished second in 28.3km/h and Sophie Chote secured third place with a 28.1km/h average speed.

The Spring Series continues on Saturday with graded racing from Haumoana School on the Kahuranaki Rd out and return course.