Veterans clinch series victory

WINNERS' PODIUM: Wanganui's veteran cyclists, taking out the Masters 50+ team grade of the Trust House North Island cycling series.PHOTO/SUPPLIED 11122014WCSUPCYCLE

THE VETERANS of Wanganui cycling earned another turn on the winners' podium last weekend after taking over the Masters 50+ overall team grade of the inaugural Trust House North Island cycling series.

Starting in August, the series consisted of five races for teams and individuals in Wairarapa, with the last one being held on the Matahiwi Estate in a circuit looping out towards Eketahuna and returning to Kopuaranga.

There were 15 teams in the Masters sections, including a schoolboys team, with Team East Coast Velo winning the other two Masters grades - 25-44 years and 45-49 years.

"Team East Coast Velo was the strongest team in the Masters division from race one," race director Jorge Sandoval said.

"They came here with the team's title in mind and achieved even more than that.

"Their riders won five races and they had a number of second and third places too."

Wanganui's Velo Ronny's Bicycle Store team also had their moments, with Pat Johnstone coming third in the 50+ section during Race 4 in November. The team were Johnstone, Gary Anderson, Adrian Pettit, Shaun Tucker, Steve Cowan, Alan Luff and Paul Forrest.

They were managed by Ron Cheatley, while Shaun Hogan served as masseur.

Cheatley said the veteran Luff was awarded a special trophy for outstanding tenacity during the series.

Overall, 27 teams and over 260 riders took part across all grades.