Drama in first cycle race

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 534, 3 May 1994, Page 1

Drama in first cycle race

The inaugural Round Ruapehu Classic cycle race was deemed to be an overwhelming success, with top finisher Tim Pawson describing the event as one of the best bike races he had ever competed in. Held on Saturday, the race, sponsored by Green Bottle Ohakune Hotel, completed one lap of Mt Ruapehu covering 157km on a round trip from Ohakune via Waiouru, the Desert Road, Rangipo and National Park. Sixty-three riders headed off in brilliantly fine weather, which contributed to the success of the event. Top contender Paul Leitch experienced mechanical problems after only 10km but quickly rectified the problem to regain the field. Seven riders drifted to the front, led by Aucklanders Jarrod Alty and Brendon Cameron. All were back together however for the first of four primes, this one being at Karioi. It was following this sprint that an altercation between Gary Anderson and Darien Rush led to their disqualification from the race. The pair crashed just after the sprint and they wrestled and punched in the middle of the road, while a puzzled truckdri ver sat stopped, waiting for the two to be pulled apart. It was reported that the incident was the culmination of a long-running feud between the two and that it appeared Rush had hindered Anderson in the sprint. Anderson said Rush had taken him out twice

already in the race. Anderson later lost an appeal over his disqualification. Heading toward Waiouru, another break formed, this time containing seven riders which included Leitch, Julian Dean and Tim Pawson. Tuming onto the Desert Road and once again all were intact as if in anticipation of some gruelling riding up to the road's summit. Ascending the first climb, Mark Rendell (Rotorua) started to make his presence felt which was to be the case for a large part of the race. At the 38km point he and Aucklander John Harris had established a 29 second lead. The two competitors seemed to be revelling in the conditions and weren't at all interested in the magnificent scenery that the conditions produced. Over the summit and they still held a 30 second lead. Back in the main bunch things were beginning to stir and the field began to split dramatically leaving the key riders controllingproceedings. At the 56km mark the breakaway had been reeled in however, using the sometimes treacherous section of road known as The Three Sisters. Another larger break formed with the now familiar figure of Rendell dominating. This time Pawson, Ric Reid (Auckland) and Murray Spencer (Auckland) were close at hand. The pressure really came on as what evolved to be the most decisive move gained momentum. A surprise omission was Leitch who admitted later to simply "missing the vital break." He tried valiantly to get to the leaders but a solo ride on the toughest section of the race saw him eventually return to the seclusion of the chasers. Turn to Page 2

First cycle race excitement

FROMPAGE1 More and more Rendell was taking it to his fellow. competitors and gradually whittled down the leading bunch. Dean suffered an untimely puncture which effectively ruined his chances of a top placing. Wanganui rider Geoff Springer was at this stage putting in a strong ride to be safely tucked into the chasing bunch. Again it was Rendell attacking up and over the hills as they headed for National Park. Those responding included Wellingtonians Paul Galbraith, along with Alty and Pawson, who was now closely tagging Rendell. Through National Park and the leading 10 riders were out in front to over four minutes with the chasers

now resigning themselves tobeingjust that. With speeds increasing as the leaders tore through Erua, Pawson' s tactics were beginning to pay off . Rendell was beginning to tire and could no longer dominate proceedings. After negotiating a slippery Makatote Viaduct climb, Pawson produced the move that was to prove very lucrative, as $1000 awaited the first rider home. In an exhibition of power he gradually drew further away and through Horopito was out to one minute in front of a very disjointed group. Turning off onto Highway 49, the sudden thought of riches spurred Pawson' s chasers into action. His lead shrunk slightly to 45 seconds when Reid and Spencer. individually and then

collectively tried to close the gapThe rich winners' purse wasn't going to be given away now by Pawson and he continued to Ohakune to record a fantastic time of

just under four hours for the trip. Reid outsprinted Spencer for the runner-up position while shortly after Alty headed the next bunch for fourth.

Springer' s efforts rewarded him with second in the Vets category ( 1 7th overall), while Andrew Stupples finished 10th in the B grade (33rd overall). Results: A grade: 1st, Tim Pawson, 3:59.20; 2nd, Ric Reid; 3rd, Murray Spencer (all three of Auckland); 4th, Jarod Alty (Wanganui). B grade: 1st, Scott Guyton (Tokoroa); 2nd, Aaron Rusden (Palmerston North); 3rd, Eamon Gilbert (Levin); 4th, Daniel Lithgow (Palmerston North). Vets: 1st, Trevor Rice; 2nd, Geoff Springer; 3rd, Peter Cox. Women: 1st, Rosalind Reekie. Karioi sprint: 1st, Brendon Cameron; 2nd, Jarod Alty; 3rd, Mark Young. Summit prime: 1st, John Harris; 2nd, Mark Rendell; 3rd, Steve Newcove. Outdoor Pursuits prime: 1st, Mark Rendell; 2nd, Paul Galbraith; 3rd, Tim Pawson. Makatote prime: 1st, Tim Pawson; 2nd, Mark Rendell; 3rd, Brendon Cameron. Winners of the roller racing at Clech'es Bar at the Ohakune Hotel on Friday night were: registered cycle racers, 1st Brendon Cameron (clocked at 100km/h); 2nd Julian Dean, 3rd Jarrard Alty, 4th Paul Leitch. InthesocialgradeTerry Wood from DB was first (as a sponsor's employee he was asked to put his prize money on the bar). 2nd was Paul Hart, 3rd Malclum Priday.