Visitors boost numbers for series opener

Cycling

Athletics and Cycling had good reason to be satisfied with the turnout for the first race in their winter cycling series on Saturday.

Some doubts had been expressed when this series was first suggested whether the weather would co-operate enough to have riders interested in taking part and these notions were put to the test as easterly showers and cool winds covered Wairarapa.

As race time for the individual time trial approached there were more marshals than riders but the latter started to arrive in dribs and drabs and 28 eventually faced the starter.

Numbers were boosted by eight visitors, several of them from Wellington who each paid for the privilege of taking on the 16km junior course from Johnstone Street to Cavelands Road and back, while the seniors rode 32km to Gladstone intersection and return. The roads were dry although some did strike rain on the return leg.

As it happened the visitors were in dominant form with Dan Walzsweki posting an impressive 44min 21s to lead home Matthew Webb-Smith (45.43) and the first local Ben Knight (46.42) over the longer course. Two women riders participated with Di Chesmar (1:01.55) taking the honours from Helen Dore (1:03.59) while the junior section saw Thomas McCallum (33.54) and Matthew Gillan (34.01) head home newcomer Brendan Walker (38.00). Some riders were separated by a mere second, indicating the competitiveness of the event.

Times were:

Juniors: Thomas McCallum 33.54, Matthew Gillan 35.01, Brendan Walker 38.00, Camden Butler 41.46.

Women: Di Chesmar 1:01.55, Helen Dore 1:03.59.

Senior: Dan Walzsweki 44.21, Matthew Webb-Smith 45.43, Ben Knight 46.42, Pete James 48.10, Dave Shepherd 48.34, Eddy Kuipers 48.54, Lawrence Kent 50.31, Brett Tulloch 52.32, Jeff Saywell 53.58, Terry Blackburn 55.05, Brian Sanders 55.06, Darren Southon 55.35, John Chesmar 56.37, Mike Clinton-Baker 57.51, Rod Sutherland 58.23, Simon Butler 58.54, Darren Smith 1:00.21, Douglas Maclachlan 1:01.23, Greg Baillie 1:02.36, Mike Parker 1:03.28, Ray Haste 1:05.20.

A graded criterium will be held next Saturday, starting at the Waingawa industrial estate at 2pm.