Bevin wins John Bull Cup

On Sunday, Wellington's Andy Hagan lead the A-grade race during the climb from the Kai Iwi beach turnoff followed by eventual winner Patrick Bevin of Taupo and Whakatane's Ryan Wills. PHOTO/ BEVAN CONLEY

Out-of-town competitors dominated the headline John Bull Cup race and the youth grades of the 2013 Wanganui Cycling Grand Prix on Sunday, while the B and C races belonged to the locals.

American team professional Patrick Bevin claimed the Cup in the A grade race from Waipukarau's Regan Gough, followed by Wellington's Andy Hagan a further 14 seconds back.

A large field for the Under 17's saw separate male and female categories with Palmerston North riders claiming both titles within the same ride.

Joshua Kendall got to the line in a close finish with town mate Alex West, with another Manawatu rider Campbell Stewart right behind them. Palmerston North's Elizabeth Stannard had a more comfortable nine second win in the female category, ahead of Levin's Simone Davie and Wanganui's Michaela Walker in a close battle for second and third.

The Under 15 male and female riders also raced together, and it was two girls who chased the winner home - Levin's Thomas Garbett won the event, while Palmerston North's Emily Shearman and Libby Arbuckle had a close fight for the minor placings.

Wanganui was more strongly represented in the B and C-grade races.

In B-grade, Bevan Cheatley and clubmate Patrick Johnstone decided to break out together on the climb through the hills heading back to the start line beside the Bason Botanic Gardens entrance, splitting the lead group.

Cheatley went on to win in a sprint from Hastings rider Scott Estcourt, with Johnstone claiming third.

Alan Luff had a comfortable three minute win in the C-grade event, with club-mate Ross McNeil coming home for second in a close finish with Palmerston North's Kate Stewart.

Results

U15 22km: 1. Thomas Garbett (Levin), 40.29; 2. Emily Shearman (Palmerston North) 41.16; 3. Libby Arbuckle (Palmerston North) 41.16.

U17 Male 44km: 1. Joshua Kendall (Palmerston North) 1:08.47; 2. Alex West (Palmerston North) 1:08.47; 3. Campbell Stewart (Palmerston North) 1:08.48.

U17 Female 44km: 1. Elizabeth Stannard (Palmerston North) 1:21.00; 2. Simone Davie (Levin) 1:30.06; 3. Michaela Walker (Wanganui) 1:30.10.

C Grade 66km: 1. Allan Luff (Wanganui) 2:01.14; 2. Ross McNeil (Wanganui) 2:04.57; 3. Kate Stewart (Palmerston North) 2:04.57.

B Grade 88km: 1. Bevan Cheatley (Wanganui) 2:25.08; 2. Scott Estcourt (Hastings) 2:25.08; 3. Patrick Johnstone (Wanganui) 2:25.31.

A Grade 110km: 1. Patrick Bevin (Taupo) 2:44.20; 2. Regan Gough (Waipukarau) 2:44.22; 3. Andy Hagan (Wellington) 2:44.34.