Robert shows plenty of heart

HEARTY RIDE: Wanganui's Robert Manson rolls into the River City to complete leg six of the BDO Wellington-Auckland Cycle Challenge in 26th place overall. PHOTOS/BEVAN CONLEY 170215WCBRCCYC01

OPEN heart surgery 18 months ago has not slowed Wanganui sportsman Robert Manson's progress in his first BDO Wellington-Auckland Cycle Challenge.

Leg six of the seven-day challenge rolled into the River City late yesterday afternoon and while Manson finished just behind the main leading bunch at the Eastown Rd finish line, he was in 26th position overall after stage five in Palmerston North on Monday night. Riding in the 50-59 age group, Manson was also leading the charge of the eight Wanganui riders in the 125-strong field of individuals. There are also eight corporate teams.

The former Wanganui rugby rep who played for the city between 1972 and 1976, only took up cycling after recovering from two bouts of open heart surgery within six weeks just 18 months ago.

Also a former coach of the Border and Ohakune-Karioi rugby teams, Manson has obviously retained his fitness mentality and was talked into competing in the Wellington-Auckland challenge by mates in the Wanganui Cycle Club.

"I joined the Wanganui club after recovering from heart surgery and they've been really helpful," Manson said yesterday.

"They have really encouraged me and talked me into this event. Bevan Cheatley has been especially helpful setting my training programmes to prepare."

The riders were sent off in groups from Palmerston North in stages yesterday morning heading to Hunterville where they lunched before the ride through the back country to Wanganui.

Manson conceded it was a tough day on the bike, but surprisingly found the gruelling steep ride up Reid's Hill just beyond Fordell okay.

"It wasn't too bad and I was feeling good leading the group two bunch until the final corner coming into Eastown Rd. About 300-400-metres from the finish line they got me and I finished just in behind the main bunch. It was a tough day, but I'm handling it well," Manson said.

This morning the riders leave in stages on leg seven from the Cooks Gardens velodrome heading to Ohakune. The ride takes in the extremely hilly Parapara Highway on State Highway Four.

"At least I know the road well from my days coaching Ohakune-Karioi, but then again that could make it worse. I'm expecting another tough day on the bike," he said.

Veteran rider Allan Luff, competing in the 60-69 age group, is second of the Wanganui contingent in 28th place after Stage five followed by Wanganui policeman Craig Yorston (40-49) in 38th and Laurika Hazelhurst (40-49) in 39th. Other Wanganui riders, Johmmy Black (60-69), David Collins (50-59), Debbie Cain (40-49) and Brian Hayward (50-59) were back in the field.

Series leader Steve Furminger (under 30) from Auckland was more than two minutes ahead after Palmerston North with Matthew Markby (under 30) also from Auckland in second and Glen Carbine (4049) from Tauranga in third.

The leading women rider is Australian Jane Walker (40-49), while heading the charge in the corporate section is was the ASB Unbeatables from Auckland.