What a massive couple months of racing action all over New Zealand! So much so, that I’m super late putting out this news update.
Cycling:
Miitchell Podmore came home 6th in the first round of the Elite series held out in Oxford, claiming him 3rd in the toughly fought U23 category going into round two at Hokitika.
At the Tour of Canterbury this year Sue Lazar had a very solid race, placing 3rd on GC in the women’s grade after a tough five stages over two days. Jess kikstra came second with her mum Sara Harnett winning.
Sharlotte Lucas had a strong race in the grueling 109km Main divide road race that runs from Darfield to Arthurs Pass. She finished fastest women and 9th in the B grade men’s field. In that same B grade field Jeremy Heathfield came to the last climb with two other riders then powered home to take the win!
Another one of Christchurch’s and NZ’s toughest courses is Le Race and going in as regaining champion Sharlotte Lucas had to settle for a still impressive second behind Reta Trotman. Chris Bridges and Anne Morgans team came home third and Sharon Prutton came home 6th female overall, to win her category.
Triathlon / Duathalon:
At School’s south Island champs Jared Pidcock won the U15 boys.
Sam Bell won the Lake canary duathalon along with the North Canterbury one on the same weekend.
Multi-sport:
In what is fairly named the longest day, Glen Currie came in an impressive 3rd place in the one day coast to coast behind his brother Braden and Richard Ussher respectively.
At the Mototapu X-Terra Philippa Seldon had a great race winning her category and in the process qualifying for the world champs in Maui, Hawaii late this year.
Track:
Early March down in Invercargill the National Age group track champs were held over five days for racing. Chloe Jenkins and her Canterbury team came away from the week with a national gold medal in the U17 team pursuit.
The Canterbury U17 boys’ team sprint comprising of (Josh Scott, Matthew Trenchard and Josh Smith) took away a bronze medal.
The 2014 National track championships were the first races to be held at the new Avanti drome in Cambridge. Olivia Podmore had an amazing week taking five gold medals in U19 girls’s and Tessa Jenkins won a silver in the U19 girl’s kerin.
Mt Biking:
In the 47km summit Mototapu MTB race, Sharon Prutton won her age group and placed 5th elite women across the line. Brooke Hudson won the U19 females section and then backed up a week later to finish 6th in the Oceania championships.
At the Mt Peel mountain bike marathon, rightly claimed to be the toughest single day course in New Zealand, covering 75km and 2340m of elevation. Glen Currie had a blinding race to take the overall win. In the slightly shorter blue mountain course Philippa Seldon came home first female.
Running:
Seonaigh Conchie and Dean Cameron competed in this year’s Kaiapoi to Rangiora 10.4km road race, with Seonaigh crossing the line 3rd woman overall.
Coming events:
Around brunner April 12th
Hanmer 4/8hr MTB race April 12th
Mt Somers MTB race April 13th
Rotorua marathon May 3rd
National road cycling club champs May 1-4th
Christchurch marathon June 3rd
