Cycling: Johnstone dominates tough road test

Catherine McMurray and Rob Manson lead the B-grade pack up the Kai-Iwi Valley Rd climb for the final time before wilting to second and third respectively. Photo/Supplied

Pat Johnstone, impressive winner of the Masters 50+ club title for 2014 last weekend, carried on where he left off with a dominant display to win Saturday's 66km A-grade road race.

In sunny conditions, a reduced field of nine riders raced three times around the tough Kai-Iwi circuit, starting and finishing from the Bason Reserve entrance on Rapanui Rd. With a high number of the regulars either competing out of town or resting after the rigours of the club championships, the A graders were handicapped into two groups, facing three decent climbs per lap.

The four-strong start group worked consistently well for the first lap with Martin Hogan, Ross McNeil, Allan Luff and Herc Thompson sharing the load, aware that their strength lay in the collective effort. It was a different story behind them though - Johnstone electing to force the pace from the gun. Rob Gemmell dropped out after a lap, feeling the effects of a recent bout of illness and Palmerston North visitor Toshi Yamaguchi was also dropped early - later pulling the pin. Phil Groves dragged Darcy Forrester back to Johnstone's wheel coming out of Mowhanau beach at the end of lap one, but then called it a day, leaving only Johnstone and Forrester to continue the hunt for the lead.

On lap three, with Johnstone in rampant form, the chasers wound in the front-runners on Kai Iwi Valley Road but, shortly afterwards, the newly combined bunch had split under pressure by the top of the main climb. At that stage Johnstone had burst clear and was off and gone. Best of the rest were Allan Luff and Ross McNeil, with McNeil mastering his older rival on the final ascent out of the beach.

Up front, Johnstone rode hard to the line for an easy win, underlining that he is right on form for a crack at another national age-group title in Cambridge next month. McNeil could be well pleased with his fine second placing and Allan Luff put in a typically tough ride for third place. Darcy Forrester who had done remarkably well to stay with Johnstone for so long battled on well for fourth, as did Martin Hogan, home in fifth spot.

The seven B-graders raced over two laps (44km) and after completing the first were still well bunched with Catherine McMurray and Stephen Brandon in particular doing some strong work. As the race wore on, Ricky Symes and Rob Manson stayed in striking distance and these four were still together on the Valley Rd climb the final time - with McMurray looking impressive as she crested the hill at the head of the bunch. Craig Bright was forced out by a mechanical issue and further back Sandro Kuehne and Laurence Sunde were finding the conditions tough. At the line though, Stephen Brandon again showed his strength - crossing for yet another win after a strong start to his racing career with the club. McMurray was a courageous second, just ahead of Rob Manson who fought on well for third. After a short break Ricky Symes crossed in fourth, with Sunde and Kuehne next in.

The five C grade riders raced over one circuit (22km) of the course, with club sponsor Steve Brandon, namesake of the B-grade winner, carrying on his winning form. Regular contender Dean Blackwell nailed down second, ahead of Eion Frederickson in third, just ahead of Heather Johnston, fourth. The irrepressible Jane Winchcombe battled on well for fifth.

Next weekend sees the focus shift to annual Wanganui Grand Prix around the renowned Oceania circuit at Brunswick - featuring the John Bull Cup for the elite riders on Saturday, as well as competitive racing down to C-grade and junior level. On Sunday, the weekend festival of cycling is then rounded off by the inaugural running of the Wanganui Grand-fondo - featuring a 125km recreational ride from Cooks Gardens to Hunterville and back.

There are also a number of other shorter and family-friendly options, with full details found at;

www.sportsground.co.nz/wanganuifestivalofcycling

RESULTS

A grade - 3 laps Kai-Iwi circuit (66km)

1st Pat Johnstone (2.01.26)

2nd Ross McNeil

3rd Allan Luff

B grade - 2 laps Kai-Iwi circuit (44km)

1st Stephen Brandon (1.20.52)

2nd Catherine McMurray

3rd Rob Manson

C Grade - 1 lap Kai-Iwi circuit (22km)

1st Steve Brandon (44.55)

2nd Dean Blackwell

3rd Eion Frederickson