'Blood and guts' cycle race runs smooth

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 678, 18 March 1997, Page 1

'Blood and guts' cycle race runs smooth

"A true blue road riders' race" is how organiser Warrick Funnell described Saturday's Ohakune Hotel Lion Ruapehu Classic cycle race around the mountains. He said the event was a good race with no incidents and reasonable weather for the 60 riders who took part. "It'sa real blood and guts course and the road racers love it," he said, adding that some road races advantaged sprinters who could hang back in the bunch and then steal a win at the end. "The sprinters can't do that on this course because they get blown out the (back) end." Numbers were down on last year, but it was still a good field, he said. Last year's blizzard may have ?ut people off, he added. It was an interesting race with the winning break beng made just a few kilomeres after the start, when a >roup of about 1 2 extended t two-minute lead on the >ack. This group dropped a ew but was still about eight iders until almost all the yay home when, four kiloletres out, a bunch of four roke away. "The attitude all the way Dund had been really posive until heading to •hakune from National ark, when it turned negave," said race winner hane Bradley from otorua. He said he had a >re throat from yelling at e other riders to keep it )ing to the end. It was a dash to the finish r the winner, with mere Turn to Page 2 j