Cyclocross Hawkes Bay Round 3

It took until round 3 of the Cyclocross Hawke's Bay 2016 series, but finally the rain came, and brought with it a muddy track for the first time this season. It was classic cyclocross racing with mud, rain, jumps and cowbells to deal with for those competitors who chose to brave the elements. 

The weather also brought with it some intense, and competitive racing, with closely fought duels in almost every division keeping a damp but raucous crowd thoroughly entertained. 

A brief and squally rain shower arrived just as the 7 and under kids took the start line, but it didn't dampen their enthusiasm for riding their bikes; as one 7 year old said post race, "it's more fun in the mud".  Tommy Nation and Charlotte Mclaren were both wire to wire winners in their events, tackling, mud, trails puddles and each other around a short, fast, twisting circuit.

The 8 and over race saw a big pack of riders together after the first lap, before Ben Gray gradually eased away to a comfortable win. In the girls race the leaders were all together in 2nd through 5th place, with the lead changing virtually every lap. It was the last trip along the single track that decided the race, Lola Nicholls just edging out Amy Nicoll, Kate Mclaren and Amy York, a blanket could have covered all 4 at the finishe  line.

B grade men saw Brent Simes get off to a flyer, and while his lead was gradually coming down after each lap, in the end the chasing duo of Steve Charles and Kieron Batt ran out of time to reel him in.

Womens B grade was a real tussle between Hayley Davis and Kirsty Mcallum, they were locked together for the entire race until Mcallum was able to take advantage of a slipped gear change just before the last obstacle and sneak through to claim a hard fought win. 

Mens Series leader Gary Hall was again the favourite to take line honours, but after a very fast start it was the Palmerston North duo of Sam Gardner and Gareth Cannon that took charge of the race. Gardner was soon a lone leader, with Cannon and Hall chasing in a group that included Ben Earnshaw, and Dan Warren. Thats how it stayed, everyone searching for a mistake from another rider that might yield some time, but no-one cracking under the pressure of a fast muddy and testing course. 

It turned out a shared car ride From Palmerston North that morning was an opportunity the visitors took to share race tactics, and they were able to execute those perfectly and take a well earned victory and keep the series alive. 

Next race is: July 31 CX4 - Bruins Race Track, Mangaroa Road, Hastings

 Details at www.cxhawkesbay.co.nz

A grade: 1 Sam Gardner; 2 Gareth Cannon; 3 Gary Hall

B grade Womens: 1 Kirsty Mcallum 2 Hayley Davis 3 Rebecca Clark

B grade: 1 Brent Simes; 2 Steve Charles; 3 Kieron Batt

Under 10 Male: 1 Benjamin Gray; 2 Lachie  Leitch; 3 Jack Hunt
Under 10 Female: 1 Lola Nicholls; 2 Amy Nicoll; 3 Kate McLaren

Under 8 Male: 1 Tommy Nation; 2 Cameron Leitch; 3 Reuben Walker
Under 8 Female: 1 Charlotte McLaren; 2 Isabella Kerr; 3 Francesca York