Pulford, Levin take national schools cycling honours

Pulford, Levin take national schools cycling honours

30 September 2014, 3:53PM
BikeNZ High Performance

Cambridge cyclists Sophie Pulford and Palmerston North’s Nate Levin were crowned champions when the New Zealand Schools Road Championships wrapped up in windy but sunny conditions at the Manfeild Auto Course today.

It was a challenging weekend for riders across all 12 age-grades as weather played a huge part throughout, with yesterday’s road racing cancelled for only the second time in its 46 year history.

The focus shifted to points races at the famed Feilding motor sport circuit today where wind was a major factor to make life on the bike challenging.

Pulford (St Peters) worked hard in the 24km women's under-20 points race, winning the last two sprints in style to dominate the national title.

"It was really tough racing out there today with fierce competition from top riders," Pulford said.

The victory was a surprise for Pulford who had half the year off because of health problems.
"This was my first major race back and despite the weather it was a fantastic weekend and I am very proud to win this event. I had so much fun today and encourage other riders to get out have fun and enjoy themselves," she said.

The 39km under-20 men's points race was a tighter affair with just one point separating the top two riders.

Levin (Palmerston North Boys) was crowned national champion ahead of John Newman-Watt (Massey High, Auckland).

The win was a surprise for Levin who was designated as support rider for teammate and the junior world Madison champion Luke Mudgway. Levin found himself well-placed in a break away and took his chances from that point.

"The race was full gas the whole way and very hard in the wind. But all and all it felt good and I am very happy to be walking away with the win, I definitely wasn’t expecting it."

Palmerston North Boys also took out the Under 17 points pace with brilliant prospect Campbell Stewart winning by 12 points – his third straight national title in the points race. He now heads to Australia to compete in the Oceania Track Championships.

Another local making it a three-peat was Michaela Drummond (Palmerston North Girls) who won the Under 17 Girls Points race with 14 points. She is joining Stewart in competing against Australia next week.

For the first time, the top boys’ school trophy went to Takapuna Grammar while Baradene College took away the girls’ trophy for the third time in a row.

Photo caption:  National champions Sophie Pulford and Nate Levin in action during today’s racing at Manfeild Auto Course in Feilding.  Credit: Jack McKenzie

Nate Levin

Sophie Pulford

Results:
Under 20 Boys : Nate Levin (Palmerston North Boys ) 10 points,1; John Newman-Watt (Massey High) 9,2; Harry Elworthy (Takapuna Grammar) 9,3.
Under 20 Girls: Sophie Pulford (St Peters Cambridge) 13 points,1; Bailey Saville (Columba) 11, 2; Hannah Gumbley (Rangitoto College) 5, 3.
Under 17 Boys: Campbell Stewart (Palmerston North Boys) 17 points,1; Bradley Leitch (Strathallan) 5, 2; Carlos Lopez-Lozand (Palmerston North Boys ) 5, 3.
Under 17 Girls: Michaela Drummond (Palmerston North Girls) 14 points,1; Madeleine Park (St Kentigern) 11, 2; Sarah McLeod (Villa Maria) 8, 3.
Under 16 Boys: Harry Waine (Takapuna Grammar) 14 points,1; Aaron Wyllie (Auckland Grammar) 12, 2; Jacob Kench (Takapuna Grammar) 6, 3.
Under 16 Girls: Emily Shearman (Palmerston North Girls ) 14 points,1; Georgia Danford (St Mary's College) 14, 2; Grace Masterton (Epsom Girls) 5, 3.
Under 15 Boys : Jamie Leitch (Strathallan) 13 points, 1; Timmy NG (Hamilton Boys) 5, 2; Adam McPheat (Takapuna Grammar) 5, 3.
Under 15 Girls: Rebecca Gumbley (Rongitoto) 11 points, 1; Sophie Bloxham (Horowhenua College) 10, 2; Amy Horn (Horowhenua College) 5, 3.
Under 14 Boys: Kiaan Watts (Hilltop School Taupo) 15 points, 1; Joshua Kench (Takapuna Grammar) 8, 2; Dylan McCullough (St Kentigern) 7, 3.
Under 14 Girls: Ally Wollaston (Baradene College) 12 points,1; Eva Parkinson (Waikato Diocesan)10, 2; McKenzie Milne (Waikato Diocesan) 8, 3.
Under 13 Boys: Aidan Merrick (St Peters College Auckland) 10 points, 1; Campbell Browne (Tauranga Intermediate) 6, 2; Luke Ransley (St Peters Auckland) 2, 3.
Under 13 Girls: Caitlyn Titheridge (Ashburton Intermediate) 8 points,1; Hennrietta Christie (Koputaroa) 8, 2; Erica Hipkins (Baradene) 3, 3.

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