30 seconds separate cycle race leaders

ON PACE: Whanganui's Darcy Forrester was within 30 seconds of the leader in his debut in the final BDO Wellington to Auckland Cycle Challenge as it rode into the city yesterday. PHOTO/Stuart Munro

Whanganui cyclist Darcy Forrester is hot on the pace with the leading bunch in the BDO Wellington to Auckland Cycle Challenge as it heads into stage six this morning.

The former policeman and head of search and rescue was in the group one where only 30 seconds separated the top 10 competitors, including Forrester as they rode into Whanganui yesterday afternoon.

Forrester is an active Wanganu Cycling Club member competing in the 50-59 age bracket and one of 14 from the River City that started the 797.7km journey from Lower Hutt on Sunday.

The weather has not been kind to the 280 riders on the tour with the Rimutuka Hill stage on Sunday and the Pahiatua Track on Monday both abandoned because of high winds and driving rain.

Forrester, who was sitting fourth in his age group, was surprised he was footing it with the over all race leaders, most of whom were grouped in the 40-49 year bracket.

"I'm as surprised as anyone, but really enjoying it," Forrester said yesterday.
"I decided because it was the last Wellington to Auckland race I'd compete this year. It was tough today, though - they're a pretty quick bunch of riders I'm with. Yesterday the wind and heavy rain was among the worst conditions I've ever raced in and I don't expect it to get any easier tomorrow."

The field depart from the velodrome around 8.30am this morning starting the race proper from Talbot St riding the 44.8km stage to Kakatahi. This afternoon the riders will then tackle the tough climb to Ohakune via Fields Track.

"I'm determined to finish this race and I will, I just don't know what condition I'll be in at the end," Forrester said.

The race was being led by Palmerston North rider Glenn Kirk (40-49).
The stage was marred by the falls of both veteran Whanganui rider Allan Luff and Waverley dairy farmer Bruce Middleton yesterday afternoon.

Luff was brought down by another rider on the Okoia Hill, while Middleton in his race debut was clipped and brought down just 150-metres from the stage finish in Eastown Rd.

Both fell quite heavily with their helmets saving serious damage.

Luff was leading his 70+ division and surprisingly was 45th over all before yesterday's stages.

Ron Cheatley of stage sponsor Velo Ronny's Bicycle Store said Middleton probably looked the worse of the pair following their falls.

"They both took fairly heavy falls with their helmets saving serious injury, but both are tough athletes and I wouldn't be surprised to see them take their place again tomorrow. They will both be monitored over night and as long as there is no signs of concussion I'd predict they will continue on," Cheatley said.

Middleton is competing for the first time and was 8th in his 60-69 age group and 43rd over all. Middleton was arguably one of the best loose forwards to play rugby for Whanganui. He racked up 119 games for the city between 1974 and 1984.

Meanwhile fellow Whanganui rider Laurika Hazelhurst (40-49) was also leading her class and was in 57th over all.

Other River City competitors were experiencing mixed fortunes. Robbie Mason (60-69) was in 31st and fifth in his division, while Kerry Bennett was 37th and 16th in the 40-49 group; Pat Johnstone 26th and third in his 60-69, while Clint Black (40-49) was 54th and 11th respectively, John Black (60-69) 55th and 11th, Brian Hayward (50-59) 70th and 20th, Murray Macdonald (50-59) 88th and 28th, Paddi Thurlow (50-59 women) 123rd and third in her group, Debbie Cain (40-49) 148th and 8th. Marsh Tangaroa abandoned the race.