Wairarapa rider Scott Lyttle was beaten by just 1secs in the 100km event at the annual Tour of Wairarapa cycle rides last weekend. A total of 700 starters took part in three sections with the 100km ride which went from Masterton to Martinborough and return having the biggest field of 406. Thepace in this event was on right from the outset with a group of 49 riders comprising the front bunch and they stayed together until around the 90km mark. Through most of the race it was Lyttle who was prepared to do the hard yards on the pace and with about 10kms to go he utilised the undulations between Wardell's bridge and Te Whiti to break away with another six riders. They set a torrid pace into Manaia road and after dropping back to sixth Lyttle again attacked, this time taking with him Craig Lawn of Wellington. They quickly put a gap of 10secs on the leading bunch and it was Lawn who took the honours in a time of 2hrs 31min 17secs, just 1secs ahead of Lyttle who "sat up" early in the final sprint. Alistair Crossling and Matt Harvey were two other Wairarapa riders in the first seven home while also impressing were Austin Hartwell, James Benton and veteran Steven Brown. Jesse Bucknell's time of 2hr 55min 20secs placed him sixth in the junior men's cateogry. First woman home in the 100km event was Susie Wood of Wellington in 2.32.08, followed 49secs later by Olympic mountain biker Robyn Wong. The 50km ride over Miller's road and return through Gladstone attracted a field of 180 and it was evergreen Pete James of Featherston who called the tune. He held the leading group of eight riders together before breaking away about 3km from the finish and winning by 13secs, James took the veteran's prize and another Wairarapa rider in Thomas Clark the open's men prize. Chris Smith and his son Rob and youngsters Jordon Coley, Brent Bordish and 12-year-old Ihaia Pirere were all among the top 17 placegetters. The 10km ride for children saw 60 starters with Ben Allen and Tom Heginbotham first home in a time of 23min 19secs, 40secs ahead of Greg Barber. First of the girls was Hayley Robinson in 28mins 21secs, followed 9secs later by Olivia Scobie and Stephanie Barber.
