Over-eager riders come crashing to earth in fallBlood, broken bones, and punctures were all in evidence on the first 92km leg of the BDO Tour of Northland.
Out of a near-capacity field of 475 cyclists, five were taken to hospital with suspected broken bones after the Whangarei to Dargaville route.
Yesterday's tour start saw all went to plan as cyclists set off from Whangarei's ASB Stadium.
But it was not long before cyclists were pulling over to fix punctured wheels on the side of Titoki's roads after riding over a small portion of road works with loose gravel.
Race director Stephen Cox said all-in-all it was a successful start to the tour, which gained another 50 entrants from last year's tour.
"In general it was a good start," said Cox, who is also the director of Dynamo Events and a former New Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth Games cycling representative. "Unfortunately we had a few crashes. Nothing serious, but we've sent five off to hospital for suspected broken collar bones and things like that."
He said crashes were expected early on in a race like the Tour of Northland as cyclists have a bit more energy and excitement going on.
"[The accidents were from cyclists] just touching wheels and not playing as much attention as they should be with 480-odd cyclists on the road.
"You're always going to get a few. And, generally the first few days you get a few crashes. I don't know if it is excitement or what but that is what generally happens," he said.
Thankfully for Northland's Paralympic cycling medallist Fiona Southorn she managed to stay clear of the accidents, adding she had enjoyed the first stage.
"It was a really fast stage," said Southorn. "It was cool; I managed to hang on in there. I'm a bit tired now but I've had a coffee and a muffin so I'll be all good for tomorrow. I'm pretty happy."
The 45-year-old Southorn said today's stage for her was all about sticking with the group and enjoying the day riding through rural Northland.
"[Today's goal was] just trying to hang in there as good as I could with the bunch and the main guys as I can.
"Kevin from Avanti kept an eye on me to make sure I was keeping up and didn't get left behind," laughed Southorn.
Today sees riders travel 83km from Dargaville to Opononi via Aranga in what Southorn describes as one of her favourite stretches of countryside in Northland.
Cox said traditionally day two of the Tour was when the men were sorted from the boys.
"[Today's leg is] a real test for the riders up through the forest. It'll split up the group [and] you get a better idea of who's looking like being the overall winner or contenders," he said.