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Benchmark set by Barry for 2009

 

The tactic was simple.  Stay with closest challenger, the New Zealand Elite road cycling champion Gordon McCauley over 142km through heavy rain and a strong south-westerly wind, then join the ranks of Brian Fowler, Robin Reid, Paul Odlin, and Chris Nicholson as winner of the country’s premier teams-based road cycling competition.  That is precisely what Daniel Barry (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team) did in adding his name to the ‘Bruce & Amy Dawe Cup’ as winner of the six-round 2009 Benchmark Homes Tour that concluded on Saturday with its final round, ‘The Star’ 5th Oxford Grand Prix won by Odlin (Canterbury Invitational).

 

Close to 110 starters in 14 teams braved the elements as the field and its entourage got into its work direct from the start.  Several riders returned to the start within minutes of the neutralized flag dropping as the peloton set a fast pace in order to raise the temperature amongst the many layers of clothing each rider wore.  Those found wanting soon had a reprieve as Chief Commissaire Zac Prendergast neutralized the main field over the first obstacle of the day, Summerhill as the peloton maneuvered its way through a herd of 600 cows on the move.

 

Shortly after the re-start, the action again heated up as a select group of 39 rode clear of the diminishing main field as it rode with a strong side-tailwind on the approach to Rangiora at kilometre 40.  There James Gibson (Ultimo Cycling Team) and Michael Vink (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) rode clear as a number of riders rejoined the leading pack as feeding opened.  Passing Loburn, Gibson’s team-mates Joseph and Anthony Chapman, together with James Williamson (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) bridged to the two leaders as the main field slipped to 1min 30secs behind.

 

For the leaders, this gap remained frustratingly constant for a number of kilometres before Odlin, Scott Lyttle (Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team), Brett Dawber (Canterbury Invitational), and Benchmark Homes watch-dog Leon Hextall escaped out of Glentui Gorge in pursuit of the leaders.  As Odlin and Lyttle drove the chase, they too were pursued by Junior World Championship representatives Joshua Atkins and Ruaraidh McLeod (Cycle Surgery – Lowe & Associates). 

 

After two hours of racing that brought the field back through Oxford, the leaders held a 1min 10sec advantage over the chasing quartet as the junior-duo trailed by a further 20 seconds.  The remnants of the main field were at 3mins 15secs.

 

Passing Cust, the chasers brought the gap to less than a minute as a major shake-up at the front was about to occur.  On the climb of Summerhill, both Gibson then Anthony Chapman slipped backwards from the front only to catch a ride as Odlin and Lyttle applied pressure on their original passengers to reach the front shortly after the descent onto German Road.

 

Behind, following an orchestrated chase by the Benchmark Homes Cycling Team marshaled by team captain Brendan Hart, McCauley (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) set sail in his bid to break free from Barry.  However the series leader was equal to the task and joined the small group that formed as he contributed to the chase of the leaders.

 

On the return to Oxford, the race up front was going to be decided around the 5.5km finishing circuit to be completed three times.  Odlin was the most aggressive in his quest to break free as Gibson and Anthony Chapman were again distanced in the cruel conditions.  The 2007 series winner succeeded in a counter-attack with two laps remaining that quickly took him clear of his companions not to be seen again.  Odlin put his excellent time trialing skills to good affect to win his fourth-ever round of the series format as Vink later sprinted clear of the remaining chasers to secure second place almost a minute down.  Joseph Chapman completed the podium places, however did not make up sufficient points to overtake Lyttle for the final series podium as Lyttle finished fifth behind Williamson.

 

Attention turned further down the road to see whether or not McCauley could dislodge Barry and make up the eight-point deficit he faced at the start of the final round.  It was not to be as Barry sprinted best of the rest ahead of McCauley to win what surely must be his greatest achievement in cycling to date.  Despite failing to win a round, Barry’s consistent finishes of fourth, third, fourth, second, sixth, and again sixth was enough to take the title.

 

Bronwyn Frazer (Cycle Surgery – Lowe & Associate) put in a top effort over the 142km distance to finish first woman clear of 2009 New Zealand road champion bronze-medalist Tracy Clark (Team Thule Cycling), and Women’s classification leader Jeannie Kuhajek (Star & Garter – Tasman).  With the early abandonment of last year’s classification winner and nearest challenger Karen Fulton (Star & Garter – Tasman), Kuhajek took out the Women’s classification to keep the title within the Tasman-based team.

 

After finishing outside of the points on the day, Mark Spessot (Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team) did enough to hold off the challenge of Wellington-based Craig Lawn (Ultimo Cycling Team) to win the Master’s classification, as the day’s ninth-place finish of Brent Allnut (Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team) did enough to overhaul the absent Brian Fowler to capture the third spot.  The non-start of Fowler’s Kelford – Reiker Cycling Team meant the inaugural series winner missed his first round of thirty-six in the five years of the series format.

 

Subway – Avanti Cycling Team was a clear winner of the Team classification ahead of the other power-house teams of Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team, Benchmark Homes Cycling Team, and Ultimo Cycling Team.  Team Thule Cycling won a close contest with the Warmup Cycling Team to take out the title as best Division Two team.                           

 

Result;

 

  1. Paul Odlin (Canterbury Invitational) 142km in 3hrs 40mins 30secs
  2. Michael Vink (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team)
  3. Joseph Chapman (Ultimo Cycling Team)
  4. James Williamson (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team)
  5. Scott Lyttle (Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team)
  6. Daniel Barry (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team)
  7. Gordon McCauley (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team)
  8. James Gibson (Ultimo Cycling Team)
  9. Brent Allnut (Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team)
  10. Leon Hextall (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team)

 

Women;

 

1.                  Bronwyn Frazer (Cycle Surgery – Lowe & Associates)

2.                  Tracy Clark (Team Thule Cycling)

3.                  Jeannie Kuhajek (Star & Garter – Tasman)

 

Team Prize;

 

1.                  Subway – Avanti Cycling Team

 

 

Final Points Standing (Provisional)

 

Overall Classification; (Bruce & Amy Dawe Cup)

 

  1. Daniel Barry (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team/U23) 106 Points
  2. Gordon McCauley (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) 96pts
  3. Scott Lyttle (Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team) 86pts
  4. Joseph Chapman (Ultimo Cycling Team) 82pts
  5. Mark Spessot (Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team/Master) 49pts
  6. Michael Vink (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team/U23) 45pts
  7. Joseph Cooper (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) 44pts
  8. Paul Odlin (Canterbury Invitational) 37pts
  9. James Williamson (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team/U23) 36pts
  10. Leon Hextall (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team/U23) 36pts

 

Under 23 Classification; (Paul Jesson Challenge Trophy)

 

1.                  Daniel Barry (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team) 106 Points

2.                  Michael Vink (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) 45pts

3.                  James Williamson (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) 36pts

 

Masters Classification; (Tony Laplanche Cup)

 

1.                  Mark Spessot (Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team) 49 Points

2.                  Craig Lawn (Ultimo Cycling Team) 30pts

3.                  Brent Allnut (Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team) 8pts

 

Women’s Classification; (Joanne Kiesanowski Bowl)

 

1.                  Jeannie Kuhajek (Star & Garter – Tasman) 36 Points

2.                  Karen Fulton (Star & Garter – Tasman) 25pts

3.                  Tracy Clark (Team Thule Cycling) 19pts

 

Team Classification; (Evans Cup – Champion Team)

 

1.                  Subway – Avanti Cycling Team

 

 

For the record (5 years);

 

6 wins  – Brian Fowler

5 wins  – Gordon McCauley

4 wins  – Hayden Roulston, Marc Ryan, Paul Odlin

3 wins  – Shane Archbold

2 wins  – Daniel Waluszewski, Scott Lyttle

1 win   – Joseph Chapman, Edward Barrett, Robin Reid, Joseph Cooper, Reon Park, Scott        McDonnell

 

 

Greg Hume

Series Manager

Papanui Cycling Club

021 599921

Benchmark showdown looms at Oxford

 

 

An electrifying contest looms this Saturday when leading contenders Daniel Barry (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team) and Gordon McCauley (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team), together with their respective teams will showdown at Oxford in the final event of the six-round Benchmark Homes Tour elite cycling series.  The 142 kilometre event will take in the undulating roads around Cust, Rangiora, Loburn, Ashley Gorge, German Road, and Oxford itself.    

 

Barry will go into ‘The Star’ 5th Oxford Grand Prix protecting an eight-point lead over McCauley who is perhaps considered New Zealand’s most prolific winner.  However McCauley will need to rely not only on strong form, but will need to conjure up his vast experience to depose the young series leader of his lead he took from McCauley when the latter crashed out in Round Four.

 

Together with Dunedin-based Scott Lyttle (Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team), Barry and McCauley have proven to be the most consistent riders of the 2009 series as evident by their standing on the points table.  Both McCauley and Lyttle have each won two rounds this year as McCauley’s win in Round Five brought him within one win of equally 2005 series winner Brian Fowler’s record of six wins in the series format.

 

Whilst the day’s main attention will be on securing the overall series win that is attainable only for Barry, McCauley, and Lyttle, there will obviously be the goal of winning the bicycle race for any number of riders.  Whilst the above three can be considered favourites, so too are James McCoy, Leon Hextall, and Tom Hubbard (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team); Hayden Godfrey, Jason Allen, and Sam Horgan (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team); Masters classification leader Mark Spessot, and Brent Allnut (Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team); Scott McDonnell, Stephen Elden, Brett Dawber, and Fowler (Kelford – Reiker Cycling Team); Joseph and Anthony Chapman, Craig Lawn, and Ashley Whitehead (Ultimo Cycling Team); Shane Melrose and Alex McGregor (Cycling Dunedin); Robin Reid (Star & Garter – Tasman); Ruaraidh McLeod and Joshua Atkins (Cycle Surgery – Lowe & Associates); Alan Williams (Warmup Cycling Team); and Paul Odlin (Canterbury Invitational).

 

Women’s classification leader Jeannie Kuhajek (Star & Garter – Tasman) and team-mate Karen Fulton will be favourites for first woman home.  However the two leading women on the points table will have the attention of a number of other contenders for the day’s prize that include Josie Giddens (Cycle Surgery – Lowe & Associates), Cathy Hamer (CYB Racing Team), Laura Thompson (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team), and Tracy Clark (Team Thule Cycling).

 

The UCI Continental-registered Subway – Avanti Cycling Team has all but wrapped up the Team classification, however will want to finish the series repeating its team win in the penultimate round.  It competition for the day’s Team prize will come from the teams of Benchmark, Ultimo, Kelford – Reiker, and Cycle Surgery’s – Scott Race Team and Lowe & Associates.  Team Thule Cycling, Warmup Cycling Team, and Team John Bull will continue its battle for leading Division Two team.

 

Round Six of the 2009 Benchmark Homes Tour starts at the Oxford Town Hall at 12noon, Saturday May 23rd.

 

Oxford Grand Prix previous winners;

 

2005 Scott McDonnell (Papanui CC)

2006 Robin Reid (Scotty Browns Racing Team)

2007 Hayden Roulston (Tinwald CC)

2008 Shane Archbold (Kelford – Reiker Cycling Team)

 

Points Standing after Round Five (Provisional);

 

1.         Daniel Barry (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team/U23) 92 Points

2.         Gordon McCauley (Subway - Avanti Cycling Team) 84pts

3.         Scott Lyttle (Cycle Surgery - Scott Race Team) 70pts

4.         Joseph Chapman (Ultimo Cycling Team) 62pts

5.         Mark Spessot (Cycle Surgery - Scott Race Team/Master) 49pts

6.         Joseph Cooper (Subway - Avanti Cycling Team) 44pts

7.         James McCoy (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team/U23) 34pts

8.         Jason Allen (Subway - Avanti Cycling Team) 32pts

9.         Craig Lawn (Ultimo Cycling Team/Master) 30pts

10.       Leon Hextall (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team/U23) 30pts

 

 

Greg Hume

Series Manager

Papanui Cycling Club

021 599921

‘Ocean Ridge’ 4th Hanmer Springs - Kaikoura

Benchmark Homes Tour – Round Five

Sunday, May 3rd at Hanmer Springs

 

 

Penultimate round should favour climbers

 

The fifth round of the six-round Benchmark Homes Tour elite cycle series will offer the climbers a chance to shine in their favourite terrain.  The Ocean Ridge 4th Hanmer Springs to Kaikoura will take the field along the Inland Route that feature a number of short-sharp climbs punctuated along its twisting-narrow road.

 

Sunday’s event will be Daniel Barry’s (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team) first outing in the white leader jersey he took from deposed series leader Gordon McCauley (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) in Round Four.  Barry’s 19-point lead over second-place McCauley should be large enough to ensure he adds his name to the ‘Bruce & Amy Dawe Trophy’ that will be awarded to the winner at series-end on May 23rd.  To date Barry has proven to be the most consistent rider in this year’s series, and backed by a strong team should be able to add to the Under 23 classification he won in the 2007 series.

 

Because of the high-calibre of riders and their respective teams competing in this year’s Benchmark Homes Tour, there are many potential candidates to be first to the coastal tourist town this weekend.  One such rider is Barry who will want to place first in at least one round of the 2009 series.

 

Dunedin-based Scott Lyttle (Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team) will spear-head the favourites following his two wins in the last two rounds.  McCauley and team-mate Joseph Cooper won the first two rounds and should feature highly, particularly McCauley who won this event last year.  The duo will be joined by perhaps their team’s best climber, Eric Drower from Cambridge.

 

Other favourites will be Kelford – Reiker’s Scott McDonnell, Brett Dawber, and Stephen Elden; brothers Joseph and Anthony Chapman, Craig Lawn, and Ashley Whitehead (Ultimo Cycling Team); Leon Hextall and James McCoy (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team); Ruaraidh McLeod and Joshua Atkins (Cycle Surgery – Lowe & Associates); Paul Odlin and Alan Williams (Canterbury Invitational); and Star & Garter – Tasman pair Robin Reid and Chris Nicholson.

 

Whilst most attention will be on the head of the race, equally fascinating will be first woman home.  The pairing of Karen Fulton and Women’s classification leader Jeannie Kuhajek (Star & Garter – Tasman) will again be favoured but can expect strong challenges from Josie Giddens and Bronwyn Fraser (Cycle Surgery – Lowe & Associates); Laura Thompson and Nicole Anderson (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team); and Tracy Clark (Team Thule Cycling).

 

As always, interest will again be on the Team prize where the main contenders for the day’s award will be Benchmark Homes, Subway – Avanti, Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team, Kelford – Reiker, and Round Four winner Ultimo Cycling Team.

 

The Ocean Ridge 4th Hanmer Springs - Kaikoura starts 10am in Jacks Pass Road, Hanmer Springs, Sunday May 3rd.  Entries for the 133km event close 10pm Wednesday.

 

 

Points Standing after Round Four;

 

1.                  Daniel Barry (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team/U23) 78 Points

2.                  Gordon McCauley (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) 59pts

3.                  Joseph Chapman (Ultimo Cycling Team) 58pts

4.                  Scott Lyttle (Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team) 50pts

5.                  Mark Spessot (Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team/Master) 43pts

6.                  Joseph Copper (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) 41pts

7.                  James McCoy (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team/U23) 34pts

8.                  Craig Lawn (Ultimo Cycling Team/Master) 30pts

9.                  Leon Hextall (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team/U23) 30pts

10.              Sam Horgan (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team/U23) 23pts          

 

       

Women’s Classification;

 

1.                  Jeannie Kuhajek (Star & Garter – Tasman) 31 Points

2.                  Joanne Kiesanowski (Team Thule Cycling) 17pts

3.                  Karen Fulton (Star & Garter – Tasman) 15pts

4.                  Josie Giddens (Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team) 12pts

5.                  Tracy Clark (Team Thule Cycling) 9pts

 

 

Team Classification;

 

1.                  Subway – Avanti Cycling Team 58 Points

2.                  Benchmark Homes Cycling Team 39pts

3.                  Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team 34pts

4.                  Ultimo Cycling Team 32pts

5.                  Cycle Surgery - Lowe & Associates 23pts

 

 

Greg Hume

Race Director

Papanui Cycling Club

021 599921

Benchmark Homes Tour – Round Four

‘2nd Tasman Classic’

Sunday, April 5th at Upper Moutere

 

Lyttle wins as Barry takes over

 

Dunedin-based Scott Lyttle (Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team) scored his second consecutive Benchmark Homes Tour win on Sunday winning Round Four in Upper Moutere, as Daniel Barry (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team) took over the series lead.

 

Lyttle’s winning move came in a perfectly timed attack on the final climb two kilometres from the finish to hold off the chasers by two seconds.  Barry led home the chasing group that also broke clear of the peloton on the final climb to finish ahead of Joseph Chapman (Ultimo Cycling Team) and Lyttle’s team-mate Mark Spessot.

 

Drama occurred midway through the 138km ‘2nd Tasman Classic’ when series leader Gordon McCauley (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) stopped for a wheel change.  As he made his way through the inside of the service vehicle convoy on the wheel of team-mate James Williamson, McCauley collided with a team vehicle that put him on the deck.  Whilst he remounted to continue his chase with the help of two further team-mates, McCauley was forced to retire with a suspected fractured elbow.

 

Meanwhile the action continued up front as the high pace of the race denied any attack gaining more than a handful of seconds on the field that began with 92 starters.  Karen Fulton (Star & Garter – Tasman) and team-mate Jeannie Kuhajek were the last two females standing who fought out a sprint to the line with the verdict going to Fulton over the Women’s classification leader Kuhajek.

 

Barry’s performance not only earned him the series lead, but also strengthened his lead in the Under 23 classification as Spessot did likewise in the Masters classification.  Kelford – Reiker Cycling Team was provisionally awarded the day’s Team prize.

 

Round Five of the six-round series is the Ocean Ridge 4th Hanmer Springs to Kaikoura on Sunday, May 3rd.

 

Result;

 

1.                  Scott Lyttle (Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team) 138km in 3hrs 22mins 18secs

2.                  Daniel Barry (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team/U23) at 2secs

3.                  Joseph Chapman (Ultimo Cycling Team) same time

4.                  Mark Spessot (Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team/Master) st

5.                  Sam Horgan (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team/U23) st

 

Women;

 

1.                  Karen Fulton (Star & Garter – Tasman)

2.                  Jeannie Kuhajek (Star & Garter – Tasman)

3.                  Lana King (Star & Garter – Tasman)

 

Team;

 

1.                  Kelford – Reiker Cycling Team (Provisional)

 

 

Greg Hume

Series Manager Director

Papanui Cycling Club

021 599921              

Tasman Classic

Benchmark Homes Tour – Round Four

Sunday, April 5th at Tasman

 

Tour shifts to Tasman

 

Tasman will provide the venue for Round Four of the six-round Benchmark Homes Tour elite cycling series when the country’s leading cycling teams face-off this Sunday on the Upper Moutere circuit.  The Tasman Classic, raced over 138 kilometres will provide ample attacking opportunities over an undulating 16km circuit that will later be used for the New Zealand Club road cycling championships in October.

 

Series leader Gordon McCauley (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) will need to be at his best to retain the coveted white leader jersey from closest challenger and Under 23 leader Daniel Barry (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team).  Barry has displayed dynamic form this year with a number of impressive performances that should cause concern for McCauley. 

 

In order to protect his three point advantage over Barry, the Auckland-based McCauley will need to rely heavily on the strength of his team, which includes third-placed Joseph Cooper and Under 23 national road champion James Williamson.  Whilst protecting McCauley’s series lead will be the priority of the day, Subway – Avanti will also be intent in winning its third round of the series and increasing its lead in the Team classification.

 

The orange-clad Benchmark Homes Cycling Team has proven a stronger outfit this year evident by its riders’ performances in the first three rounds.  James McCoy, James Early, Leon Hextall, Andrew Williams, and Tom Hubbard have each shown they are capable of not only assisting their team leader Barry, but also securing a podium spot which McCoy achieved in Round Three.

 

Whilst McCauley and Barry will be playing out their own fight together with their respective team-mates, the day’s spoils will be open for the likes of Joseph Chapman, Lester Settle, and James Gibson who formed part of the Ultimo Cycling Team that took second-place in the Team competition at last Saturday’s Le Race.  Wellington rider Craig Lawn will likely rejoin his team-mates on Sunday in the hope of re-capturing the Masters classification lead he lost to Mark Spessot in Round Three.

 

Spessot will have the backing from his strong Dunedin-based Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team that contains Round Three winner Scott Lyttle.  Kelford – Reiker Cycling Team has potential winners in 2005 series champion Brian Fowler and Stephen Elden, as do the home team Star & Garter – Tasman that boasts 2006 and 2008 champions Robin Reid and Chris Nicholson.

 

Star & Garter – Tasman perhaps also has the better chance of providing the first woman home with last year’s Women’s classification winner Karen Fulton, and current leader Jeannie Kuhajek.  Josie Giddens and Bronwyn Frazer (Cycle Surgery – Lowe & Associates), Tracy Clark and Annaliisa Farrell (Team Thule Cycling), and Laura Thompson and Nicole Anderson will likely provide the main challenge for the day’s female winner.

 

The Tasman Classic starts 10am at the Moutere Hills Community Centre, and will be hosted by the Star & Garter Cycling Club.  Entries are teams-based only and close 10pm Wednesday firm.  www.benchmarkhomes.co.nz    

 

 

Points Standing;

 

1.                  Gordon McCauley (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) 59 Points

2.                  Daniel Barry (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team/U23) 56pts

3.                  Joseph Cooper (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) 41pts

4.                  Joseph Chapman (Ultimo Cycling Team) 38pts

5.                  James McCoy (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team/U23) 34pts

6.                  Leon Hextall (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team/U23) 30pts

7.                  Scott Lyttle (Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team) 25pts

8.                  Mark Spessot (Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team/Master) 25pts

9.                  Jason Allen (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) 22pts

10.              Ryan Wills (Canterbury Invitational/U23) 20pts

 

Women’s Classification;

 

1.                  Jeannie Kuhajek (Star & Garter – Tasman)

 

Team Classification;

 

1.                  Subway – Avanti Cycling Team

 

Greg Hume

Race Director

Papanui Cycling Club

021 599921              

Benchmark Homes Tour – Round Three

‘3rd Aquados Tour of Selwyn’

Sunday, March 22 at Ladbrooks

 

Little chance for competitors as Lyttle proves too classy

 

Former France-based cyclist Scott Lyttle and his Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team rode away with the spoils on Sunday winning the main prizes in Round Three of the six-round Benchmark Homes Tour.  Lyttle’s classy win was backed up by his Dunedin-based team winning the Team prize, whilst its veteran rider Mark Spessot took back the lead in the Masters classification.

 

A field of 104 starters braved the early winter-like elements as the fifteen sponsored teams faced in excess of four hours in the saddle of the virtual tour of the Selwyn District.  The 3rd Aquados Tour of Selwyn included a reduced eight unsealed sections of road, or ribines that were to be encountered in the second half of the 160 kilometre event starting and finishing at Ladbrooks.

 

Following the opening neutralized section, the first hour of racing was highlighted by two promising Benchmark Homes Cycling Team-led escapes that each time was brought back in an orchestrated chase by the Subway – Avanti Cycling Team.  The orange-clad Benchmark Homes squad was the main aggressor in the early stages.  However on the outskirts of the township of Leeston the main break of the day was created by Spessot and Kelford – Reiker’s Cory Hodgson.  The duo was joined by a number of riders before the group split in two leaving the peloton two groups ahead of it to chase.

 

The leaders enjoyed a healthy lead of around five minutes on the main field as it negotiated the first ribine at kilometre 81.  The peloton stirred into action on the approach to this section culminating with a select group drawing clear by the end of the day’s first obstacle.  Forming this group were Lyttle and team-mate Tom Scully, series leader Gordon McCauley (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team), Under 23 leader Daniel Barry (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team), Ruaraidh McLeod (Cycle Surgery – Lowe & Associates), and Shane Melrose (Cycling Otago).

 

As the main field struggled to reform behind, the sextet set about reeling in those that dared to get a head-start for the eight ribines that punctuated the course on its return to the finish.  Whilst the ribines continued to take its toll on weary and unsuspecting riders behind, the five leaders up front pushed on until it reduced itself to four with three sectors to go.  Spessot, Hodgson, Nigel Viaese (Cycle Surgery – Lowe & Associates), and David Ayre (Star & Garter – Tasman) could have been forgiven for dreaming of filling the top spots at the finish such was their lead.

 

However as the Lyttle-group collected riders ahead in its hunt for the head of the race, the added fire power ensured the leaders were doomed to see the finish free of company.  Exiting the penultimate ribine, the pursuers and the hunted merged to set up a finish that would likely be decided on a numbers game.  Following a succession of attacks over the final ribine and the approach to the finishing circuit, the leaders were reduced to the trio of Lyttle, Spessot, and Scully, and pairing of James McCoy and Barry who were likely to have the advantage over loners McCauley, and Joseph Chapman (Ultimo Cycling Team).

 

And so it was with three laps of the 7km finish circuit to go, McCoy launched an attack that attracted the attention of Lyttle.  Together the pair set about knocking off the final kilometres as their team-mates watched over both McCauley and Chapman who were powerless to bring back the leaders.

 

As Joseph Cooper (Subway- Avanti Cycling Team) emerged from the remnants of the main field to ride across to the McCauley group, up front Lyttle applied pressure to McCoy and raced clear inside the final kilometre to win his first start in a round of the Benchmark Homes Tour.  McCoy finished 25 seconds down, whilst Chapman led home the chasers a further two minutes adrift.

 

Barry’s fourth-place finish reduced his overall points deficit on McCauley to just three points as he strengthened his lead in the Under 23 classification.  Spessot’s recapture of the lead in the Masters classification together with the team win ensured the drive south was all the more bearable for Lyttle and co.

 

Despite finishing second on the day behind the fortunate Josie Giddens (Cycle Surgery – Lowe & Associates), Jeannie Kuhajek (Star & Garter – Tasman) reclaimed the lead in the Women’s classification as Subway – Avanti Cycling Team maintained its series Team classification lead.

 

Round Four of the series is the Tasman Classic near Nelson on Sunday, April 5th.

 

 

 Result;

 

1.                  Scott Lyttle (Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team) 160km in 4hrs 01mins 12secs

2.                  James McCoy (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team/U23) at 25secs

3.                  Joseph Chapman (Ultimo Cycling Team) at 2mins 26secs

4.                  Daniel Barry (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team/U23) same time

5.                  Tom Scully (Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team/U23) st

6.                  Mark Spessot (Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team/Master) st

7.                  Gordon McCauley (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) st

8.                  Joseph Cooper (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) st

9.                  Shane Melrose (Cycling Otago) tbc

10.              Sam Horgan (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team/U23) tbc

 

Women;

 

1.                  Josie Giddens (Cycle Surgery – Lowe & Associates)

2.                  Jeannie Kuhajek (Star & Garter – Tasman)

3.                  Bronwyn Frazer (Cycle Surgery – Lowe & Associates)

 

Team;

 

1.                  Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team

 

Points Standing (Provisional);

 

1.                  Gordon McCauley (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) 59 Points

2.                  Daniel Barry (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team/U23) 56pts

3.                  Joseph Cooper (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) 41pts

4.                  Joseph Chapman (Ultimo Cycling Team) 38pts

5.                  James McCoy (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team/U23) 34pts

6.                  Leon Hextall (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team/U23) 30pts

7.                  Scott Lyttle (Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team) 25pts

8.                  Mark Spessot (Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team/Master) 25pts

9.                  Jason Allen (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) 22pts

10.              Ryan Wills (Canterbury Invitational/U23) 20pts

 

 

Greg Hume

Race Director

Papanui Cycling Club

021 599921              

   

Testing course awaits Benchmark competitors

 

The sponsored teams of the six-round Benchmark Homes Tour will face its toughest test yet of 2009 when they compete in the round three 3rd Aquados Tour of Selwyn on Sunday, March 22nd.    The main feature of the one-day classic is the number of unsealed roads that punctuate the second half of the 160km course around Canterbury’s Selwyn District. 

 

Nine sectors of unsealed roads totaling 13.5 kilometres will again play a key role in determining another worthy winner of this event previously won by Mid-South Canterbury stalwarts Hayden Roulston and Shane Archbold.  Archbold’s 2008 win was achieved in atrocious conditions as the field negotiated its way amongst the mud and water-filled potholes of the various sectors.   

 

Elite national road champion Gordon McCauley (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) and Daniel Barry (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team) have to date proven themselves to be the two form riders of this year’s series and will continue their duel for the white leader jersey currently on the shoulders of McCauley.  With only a handful of points separating the two riders at the top of the points standing, each will need to ensure they have a strong team around them in case of a mechanical on any of the unsealed  sectors.  The final unsealed sector is placed at the entrance to the finishing circuit with less than 25 kilometres left to ride.

 

McCauley will be backed by six members of his team that will include Round Two winner Joseph Cooper, Under 23 national road champion James Williamson, and Round One second place-getter Jason Allen.  In turn Barry, who won the series’ Under 23 classification in 2007, will be backed by last weekend’s Tour of Canterbury winner Leon Hextall and James McCoy who are included amongst the orange-clad formation.  Hextall is enjoying his best season to date, and has already posted two notable performances in the first two rounds of the series.

 

There are however a large number of riders capable of spoiling the party, that include Chapman brothers Joseph and Anthony, and Masters classification leader Craig Lawn (Ultimo Cycling Team); 2005 series’ winner Brian Fowler, Scott McDonnell, and Darren Shea (Kelford – Reiker Cycling Team); Shane Melrose and Alex McGregor (Cycling Otago); Alan Williams and Michael Crawford (Warmup Cycling Team); Brett Dawber (Canterbury Invitational); and Star & Garter – Tasman’s George Bennett. 

 

In the absence of Women’s classification leader Joanne Kiesanowski (Team Thule Cycling), Jeannie Kuhajek (Star & Garter – Tasman) appears set to take over the lead in this competition although will likely be pushed for the day’s first-place prize by team-mate Karen Fulton; Annaliisa Farrell and Tracy Clark (Team Thule Cycling); Laura Thompson and Nicole Anderson (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team); Josie Giddens (Cycle Surgery – Lowe & Associates); and Sara MacDonald (Cycling Otago).

 

The teams of Subway – Avanti and Benchmark Homes continue to head the standings in the Team classification.   

 

The 3rd Aquados Tour of Selwyn starts at 10am from the Ladbrooks Hall and follows a route through Lincoln, Greenpark, Springston, Irwell, Leeston, Southbridge, Sedgemere, Lakeside, and Coes Ford before returning to Ladbrooks at approximately 1.45pm to begin the first of the three laps of the 7km finishing circuit.  Race finish is expected 2.20pm.

 

 

Greg Hume

Race Director

Papanui Cycling Club

021 599921      

 

3rd Parry Field Lawyers Open

Benchmark Homes Tour – Round Two

Sunday, 22nd February 2009 at Cust

 

Subway – Avanti again one-two

 

UCI Continental registered Subway – Avanti Cycling Team scored its second one-two finish in as many rounds when Joseph Cooper and Gordon McCauley rode clear to finish together in Round Two of the Benchmark Homes Tour on Sunday.  The 3rd Parry Field Lawyers Open fielded nearly 110 starters in fifteen teams for the 135km journey raced in blustery conditions under a sunny sky.

 

The first break of significance came from Daniel Barry (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team), and Hayden Godfrey and his team-mate Cooper.  The trio held the fast charging peloton at bay for 20 kilometres before being re-captured approaching Loburn after one hour of racing.  The frenetic pace of the chase caused the main field to take a breather as ‘ones and twos’ tried to slip clear around the back of North Loburn but to no avail.

 

As feeding from the respective team service vehicles opened just short of the 50km mark, Cooper again went on the attack spurred by his non-finish at the previous day’s Rev120 in Hamilton where he crashed out.  This move was the catalyst for a number of riders to move clear of the peloton on the undulating roads around Sefton to eventually form an escape group of 18.  In this group were many of the big-hitters including the Rev120 winner and series leader McCauley. 

 

On the return through Loburn at kilometre 87 the escape led the main field by just over a minute as a number of riders slipped further behind the peloton.  Shortly after, Barry launched an attack that Cooper was quick to follow.  As Barry drove the move, the presence of team-mates in the group behind provided a deterrent to any consolidated chase.

 

Ten kilometres later McCauley instigated a move to join Cooper and Barry that formed a leading breakaway of six riders that included Craig Lawn (Ultimo Cycling Team), George Bennett (Star & Garter – Tasman), and Leon Hextall (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team).

 

The sextet worked well together towards the steep climb of Glentui Gorge where it led the chasers at the gorge by 40 seconds and the peloton by one minute 50 seconds.  After McCauley provided the pace on the climb itself, it was Cooper who set sail for the finish with approximately 25 kilometres to ride.  As McCauley enjoyed his free ride behind, Cooper steadily put time into his pursuers topping Ashley Gorge with a 25 second advantage.

 

It was this climb that McCauley made his move having benefited by the free ride from Cooper’s pursuers.  As McCauley rode clear turning into German Road, Cooper eased his pace to allow the series leader to reach him.  Once contact was made with a reduced gap of 11 seconds to the four pursuers, the Subway – Avanti pair set its sights on the Cust finish some sixteen kilometres away.

 

Both noted as specialists against the clock, the two leaders increased their advantage whilst taking in the final obstacle of the day Summerhill.  And with a comfortable margin by race-end, the pair both crossed the line arms aloft that enabled Cooper to secure his first-ever win of the series format, and McCauley to strengthen his overall series lead.

 

Barry completed an impressive day out to take third place and the lead in the Under 23 classification at 47 seconds followed by Lawn who took over the lead in the Masters classification.  Bennett and Hextall crossed next.  Jason McCoy’s seventh-place finish secured his Benchmark Homes Cycling Team the day’s team prize, whilst Godfrey led home the main field in 13th place failing to catch the majority of the remnants of the main escape of the day.

 

Joanne Kiesanowski (Team Thule Cycling) impressively finished in the main field to take the lead in the Women’s classification, whilst deposed leader Jeannie Kuhajek (Star & Garter – Tasman) and Aimee Burns (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team) finished many minutes down in second and third respectively.

 

Round Three will be held Sunday, 22nd March taking in sectors of unsealed roads around the Selwyn District.

               

 

Results (Provisional);

 

1.                  Joseph Cooper (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) 135km in 3hrs 16mins

2.                  Gordon McCauley (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) same time

3.                  Daniel Barry (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team/U23) at 47secs

4.                  Craig Lawn (Ultimo Cycling Team/Master) at 49secs

5.                  George Bennett (Star & Garter – Tasman/U23) st

6.                  Leon Hextall (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team/U23) st

7.                  James McCoy (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team/U23) gap to be confirmed

8.                  Joseph Chapman (Ultimo Cycling Team) tbc

9.                  Mark Spessot (Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team/Master) tbc

10.              Brian Fowler (Kelford – Reiker Cycling Team/Master) tbc

11.              Andrew Widdup (Canterbury Invitational) tbc

12.              Scott McDonnell (Kelford – Reiker Cycling Team) tbc

13.              Hayden Godfrey (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) tbc

14.              Jason Christie (Kelford – Reiker Cycling Team/U23) tbc

15.              Marc Prutton (Team John Bull) tbc

 

First Women;

 

1.                  Joanne Kiesanowski (Team Thule Cycling)

2.                  Jeannie Kuhajek (Star & Garter – Tasman)

3.                  Aimee Burns (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team)

 

 

First Team;

 

1.                  Benchmark Homes Cycling Team

 

 

Points Standing after Round Two (Provisional);

 

1.                  Gordon McCauley (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) 47 points

2.                  Daniel Barry (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team/U23) 38pts

3.                  Joseph Cooper (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) 31pts

4.                  Leon Hextall (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team/U23) 30pts

5.                  Jason Allen (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) 22pts

6.                  Ryan Wills (Canterbury Invitational/U23) 20pts

7.                  Craig Lawn (Ultimo Cycling Team/Master) 18pts

8.                  Joseph Chapman (Ultimo Cycling Team) 18pts

9.                  George Bennett (Star & Garter – Tasman/U23) 16pts

10.              Darren Shea (Kelford – Reiker Cycling Team/U23) 14pts

 

 

Women’s classification;

 

1.                  Joanne Kiesanowski (Team Thule Cycling) 17 points

2.                  Jeannie Kuhajek (Star & Garter – Tasman) 17pts

3.                  Aimee Burns (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team) 5pts

 

 

Team classification;

 

1.                  Subway – Avanti Cycling Team

 

 

 

Greg Hume

Race Director

Papanui Cycling Club

021 599921

 

BENCHMARK HOMES TOUR  - ROUND TWO START LIST

 

 

     3rd PARRY FIELD LAWYERS OPEN

10.30am 22nd February 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subway - Avanti Cycling Team

Star & Garter - Tasman

 

Gordon

McCauley

 

 

 

George

Bennett

 

Hayden

Godfrey

 

 

 

David

Ayre

 

Joseph

Cooper

 

 

 

Caleb

Hill

 

Sam

Horgan

 

 

 

Felix

Laufkotter

 

James

Williamson

 

 

 

Nick

Batt

 

Patrick

Williamson

 

 

 

Jeannie

Kuhajek

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lana

King

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team Cycling Otago

 

 

Warmup Cycling Team

 

Shane

Melrose

 

 

 

Tom

Molloy

 

Alex

McGregor

 

 

 

Michael

Crawford

 

Alex

Daniel

 

 

 

Nigel

Pink

 

Chris

Henderson

 

 

 

John

McKenzie

 

Jeff

Notman

 

 

 

Mark

Forsey

 

Chris

Harvey

 

 

 

Alan

Williams

 

Carolyn

Jenkins

 

 

 

Brent

Harris

 

Sara

MacDonald

 

 

 

Darcy

Ellerm-Norton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benchmark Homes Cycling Team

Team Thule Cycling

 

Daniel

Barry

 

 

 

Andre

Chappell

 

Andrew

Williams

 

 

 

Brad

McFarlane

 

Leon

Hextall

 

 

 

Dave

Sullivan

 

Nick

Hextall

 

 

 

Johnathon

Stockwell

 

James

McCoy

 

 

 

Michael

Fitzsimmons

 

Mark

Washington

 

 

 

Ian

Smallman

 

James

Early

 

 

 

Neil

Sutherland

 

Will

Bowman

 

 

 

Sarah

Smallman

 

Nicole

Anderson

 

 

 

Annaliisa

Farrell

 

Aimee

Burns

 

 

 

Tracy

Clark

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joanne

Kiesanowski

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kelford / Reiker Cycling Team

 

The Cycle Surgery - Scott Race Team

 

Darren

Shea

 

 

 

Brent

Allnutt

 

Jason

Christie

 

 

 

Craig

Thomson

 

Brian

Fowler

 

 

 

Danny

Hillary

 

Jorg

Engelbrecht

 

 

 

Mark

Spessot

 

Corey

Williams

 

 

 

Paul

Gough

 

Scott

McDonnell

 

 

 

Ray

Dunstan

 

Corey

Hodgson

 

 

 

Gary

Gardiner

 

 

 

 

 

 

Victoria

Beck

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team Bay City

 

 

Team John Bull

 

Glen

Gould

 

 

 

Marc

Prutton

 

Tim

Burtenshaw

 

 

 

James

Mander

 

Craig

Best

 

 

 

Jason

Blake

 

Peter

Sheed

 

 

 

Hayden

Sword

 

Cameron

Alexander

 

 

 

Tony

Fowler

 

Mark

Richards

 

 

 

Wayne

Smythe

 

Jeff

Best   [Res]

 

 

 

James

Nisbet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team Pinarello

 

 

Velo Kiwi Ecosse Cycling Team

 

James

Hosking

 

 

 

Malcolm

Pearce

 

Andrew

Widdup

 

 

 

Tony

Berggren

 

Paul

Buick

 

 

 

Tony

Lange

 

Scott

Wilder

 

 

 

Michael

Ferigo

 

Nimesha

Smith

 

 

 

Sandy

Wallace

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team Natural High

 

 

CYB Racing Team

 

Ron

Pithie

 

 

 

Sam

Oliver

 

Jason

Gerrie

 

 

 

Kevin

O'Donnell

 

Craig

Shakespeare

 

 

Kirk

Hamilton

 

Rodney

Pearson

 

 

 

John

Strange

 

Nick

Emery

 

 

 

Dave

Smith

 

Darron

Burns

 

 

 

Aaron

Gorrie  [Res]

 

Brett

Howell

 

 

 

 

 

 

Andrew

Milne

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ultimo Cycling Team

 

 

Canterbury Invitational Team

 

Joe

Chapman

 

 

 

Ryan

Wills

 

Anthony

Chapman

 

 

 

Steve

Kellow

 

Daniel

Dean

 

 

 

Logan

Edgar

 

James

Gibson

 

 

 

Rob

Campfens

 

Lester

Settle

 

 

 

Brett

Dawber

 

Craig

Lawn

 

 

 

Johnathan

Gee

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nick

Hand

 

Comm. 1 – Zac Prendergast

Comm. 2 – Brian Roulston

Comm. 3 – Peter Richards

3rd Parry Field Lawyers Open

Benchmark Homes Tour 2009 – Round Two

Sunday, February 22nd at Cust

 

 

National champion seeks to retain series lead

 

Auckland cyclist Gordon McCauley (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) will this Sunday swap his national elite road champion jersey for that as leader of the six-round Benchmark Homes Tour that he leads.  McCauley will don the coveted white jersey as overall series leader having won the opening round in Sefton two weeks ago.  The Round Two 3rd Parry Field Lawyers Open will provide the field of almost 120 starters a testing course over 135km both starting and finishing in Cust.

 

Each of the sixteen sponsored teams taking part in the series will be vying for its slice of the pie from the various classifications on offer.  McCauley, who finished runner-up in the 2008 series, will again be backed by a strong Subway – Avanti outfit that will contain world track champion Hayden Godfrey, Under 23 national road champion James Williamson, and noted climber Joseph Cooper.

 

Eight-times Tour of Southland winner Brian Fowler (Kelford – Reiker Cycling Team) has been trying to extend his record of six wins that he has achieved since the series’ inception in 2005 which he won overall.  However as his last win was in May 2006, the likelihood is any win from his team will come from Marc Ryan who has four previous such wins.  Former junior track world champion Darren Shea, Scott McDonnell, and Stephen Elden are also contenders for the colours of Kelford – Reiker.

 

Following their impressive performances in Round One, both Daniel Barry and Leon Hextall will again be sure to shine to keep not only their series title hopes alive, but also remain contenders in the Under 23 classification where they are handily placed behind early leader Ryan Wills (Canterbury Invitational).  Their Benchmark Homes Cycling Team will do well to protect these two stars of the future as it keeps an eye also on the Team prize it last won in 2007.

 

The organizers are waiting for news as to whether defending series champion Chris Nicholson will make his first appearance in this year’s series.  He is again rostered on the strong Star & Garter – Tasman team from the top of the South Island, which also contains 2006 series winner and former Olympian Robin Reid.  This team also features the well-performing George Bennett, Kieran Hambrook, and David Ayre.

 

Other riders likely to feature on Sunday and more than capable of taking the day’s spoils are Joseph Chapman and Lester Settle (Ultimo Cycling Team), Shane Melrose and Alex McGregor (Cycling Otago), Brett Dawber and Wills (Canterbury Invitational).

 

The contest for first woman will again be keenly contested by the leading women from Round One, namely Jeannie Kuhajek and Karen Fulton (Star & Garter – Tasman), Joanne Kiesanowski (Team Thule Cycling), and Laura Thompson (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team).

 

Sunday’s 3rd Parry Field Lawyers Open starts at 10.30am from the Cust Community Hall, and is conducted by the Papanui Cycling Club.     

 

Points Standing;

 

1.                  Gordon McCauley (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) 25 points

2.                  Jason Allen (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) 22pts

3.                  Ryan Wills (Canterbury Invitational/U23) 20pts

4.                  Daniel Barry (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team/U23) 18pts

5.                  Leon Hextall (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team/U23) 16pts

6.                  Darren Shea (Kelford – Reiker Cycling Team/U23) 14pts

7.                  Ruaraidh McLeod (Cycle Surgery – Lowe & Associates/U23) 12pts

8.                  Patrick Williamson (Subway – Avanti Cycling/U23) 10pts

9.                  Joseph Chapman (Ultimo Cycling Team) 8pts

10.              Joseph Cooper (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) 6pts

 

Women;

 

1.                  Jeannie Kuhajek (Star & Garter – Tasman) 10 points

2.                  Joanne Kiesanowski (Team Thule Cycling) 7pts

3.                  Karen Fulton (Star & Garter – Tasman) 5pts

 

Team classification;

 

1.                  Subway – Avanti Cycling Team

 

 

Greg Hume

Race Director

Papanui Cycling Club

021 599921

 4th Lowe & Associates Accountants Trophy

Benchmark Homes Tour 2009 – Round One

Sunday, February 1st at Sefton

 

 

Whilst wearing dossard one as winner of last year’s edition of the Lowe & Associates Accountants Trophy, national road champion Gordon McCauley (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) repeated on Sunday in the same event when he out-sprinted his two breakaway companions to win Round One of the Benchmark Homes Tour at Sefton.

 

Sixteen sponsored cycling teams from around the South Island assembled for the 144 kilometre journey that would take the 120 starters through the North Canterbury towns of Rangiora, Cust, Oxford, and Loburn.  From the outset the pace was fast as a number of riders tried to make it into the first escape group of the 2009 series that is now into its fifth year.  And whilst the pace grew, so did the temperature that reached its 30’s by the race finish. 

 

It was not until after the first climb of Summerhill that the main break of the day was formed.  Riding clear on German Road and its climb was McCauley and his Subway – Avanti team-mates Jason Allen, Hayden Godfrey and Sam Horgan; Daniel Barry and Leon Hextall (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team); Ryan Wills (Canterbury Invitational); Joshua Atkins (Cycle Surgery – Lowe & Associates); Marc Ryan (Kelford – Reiker Cycling Team); and Joseph Chapman (Ultimo Cycling Team). 

 

The breakaway led by over 30 seconds as it raced through Oxford and onto the View Hill circuit where the leaders were hidden from the peloton’s view by the twisting narrow roads.  Two-minutes was the gap on the return journey through Oxford.

 

On the approach to Cust, McCauley attacked the lead group that was eager to stay with him.  Further attacks from within the group split it as it climbed Summerhill for a second time at kilometre 83.  The five riders to go clear were McCauley, Allen, Barry, Hextall, and Wills.  The remaining five returned to the main field several kilometres later.

 

With approximately an hour to ride, McCauley again went on the attack as Allen policed the three chasers.  The lone leader reached a maximum lead of approximately 400 metres before the chasers came back.  Before the capture was made, Wills attacked taking Allen with him to join McCauley and end his 20 kilometres of freedom.  The three leaders rode clear of the Benchmark Homes duo who never gave up their chase.

 

A couple of brief attacks up front followed before the leading three resigned themselves to a sprint to the line.  There it was that McCauley had done enough to take the first series’ leader jersey of 2009 ahead of team-mate Allen, and Wills.

 

Barry led home Hextall 35 seconds later before the first chasers from the main field finished.  Darren Shea (Kelford – Reiker Cycling Team), Ruaraidh McLeod (Cycle Surgery – Lowe & Associates) and Patrick Williamson (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) finished 10 seconds clear of the charging peloton led in by Chapman at 3 minutes 40 seconds.

 

Jeannie Kuhajek (Star & Garter – Tasman) was first-placed woman ahead of Joanne Kiesanowski (Team Thule Cycling) and last year’s overall women’s winner Karen Fulton (Star & Garter – Tasman) as each woman finished in the peloton.

 

The UCI Continental team Subway – Avanti took out the day’s team prize to cap off a good weekend following Godfrey’s win at the North Shore City Grand Prix on Friday evening, and the team’s win on Saturday in the Benchmark Homes Classic team time trial.

 

Round Two of the Benchmark Homes Tour is the Parry Field Lawyers Open at Cust on Sunday, February 22nd.             

 

 

Round One Result;

 

1.                  Gordon McCauley (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) 144km in 3hrs 29mins 30secs

2.                  Jason Allen (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) Same time

3.                  Ryan Wills (Canterbury Invitational/U23) st

4.                  Daniel Barry (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team) at 35secs

5.                  Leon Hextall (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team) st

6.                  Darren Shea (Kelford – Reiker Cycling Team) at 3mins 10secs

7.                  Ruaraidh McLeod (Cycle Surgery – Lowe & Associates/U23) st

8.                  Patrick Williamson (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team/U23) st

9.                  Joseph Chapman (Ultimo Cycling Team) at 3mins 40secs

10.              Joseph Cooper (Subway – Avanti Cycling Team) st

 

First Women;

 

1.                  Jeannie Kuhajek (Star & Garter – Tasman)

2.                  Joanne Kiesanowski (Team Thule Cycling)

3.                  Karen Fulton (Star & Garter – Tasman)

 

First Team;

 

Subway – Avanti Cycling Team

 

Classification Leaders;

 

Gordon McCauley – Overall

Ryan Wills – Under 23

Mark Spessot (Cycle Surgery – Scott Race Team) – Masters

Jeannie Kuhajek – Women

 

 

Greg Hume