Cyclocross Hawke's Bay CX4
2 August 2016, 12:08PM
Muddy Racing, but Hall shows clean pair of heels.
Swirling gusty westerlies, and showers were the order of the morning as competitors arrived for the 4th Race in the Cyclocross Hawke's bay series, hosted on a purpose built cyclocross cross in Bridge Pa. Willem Bruins, course builder and designer, had put up his home grown race track for competitors to use, and everyone was eager to see what surprises were in store.
While it looked like authentic Belgian cyclocross weather might become the order of the day, by the time the start was due, the winds seemed to ease, and the sun cast a warming golden glow on the course as registration opened and children and adults alike warmed up over the course.
First to start where the Arataki Honey under 8’s, and with previous round winners Tommy Nation and Lance Hunt both in attendance, everything pointed towards some hot racing. From the start though, it was Nation who showed out first and was able to steadily pull away from both Hunt and the rest of the field, leaving a 3 way tussle for third, where George Foote eventually edged out Frank Nicholls.
The girls race was comfortably won by Charlotte Mclaren who also had a wire to wire win, taking out the race from Lara Nicoll; Francis York finishing in third.
The Arataki Honey 8-10 field had another large girls field, and this age category has proven to be the most hotly contested this season. It was however Benjamin Gray who managed to clear away, and take overall line honours. Lola Nicholls has won the previous 3 events, but after a fast start she faded and it was a great tussle between Kate and Anna Mclaren and Amy Nicholl. The only constant was the changing of positions and over the ramps and into the finish line it Was Amy Nicoll who took out the title from Kate and Anna.
The A grade men were champing at the bit too hit this hard and fast track, and the surprise of a few hundred gallons of water let out into the sink pits didn’t appear to put anyone off. Kieran Foley had a blinding first lap, starting faster than a hungry fox after a rabbit, but 2 laps in, and it was Gary Hall who seemed to effortlessly ease his way to the front again, and once there, was never threatened. Foley ended in a tough tussles with last rounds winner; Palmerston North resident Sam Gardner, Gardiner edging him out for second place.
Womens B grade was again dominated by Hayley Davis, who lead from the daughter and mother pairing of Rebecca Clark and Kareen Mathers.
The B grade men, saw the course builder and designer Bruins use his home ground knowledge to good effect, comfortably taking out a win against Kieron Batt, and Jonny Clapcott.
At the end of a great mornings racing, everyone was buzzing about having the privilege to race on a home made purpose built and well groomed course, which was a winner with children and adults alike.
Good luck to all the Hawke's Bay riders heading to Huttcross this weekend for the National Champs.
The final race of the series, is at Black Barn vineyards in 2 weeks, on August the 14th.
RESULTS:
| A Grade | Name | |
| 1 | Gary Hall | |
| 2 | Sam Gardner | |
| 3 | Kieran Foley | |
| B Grade | Females | |
| 1 | Haley Davis | F |
| 2 | Rebecca Clark | F |
| 3 | Karren Mathers | F |
| B Grade | Males | |
| 1 | Willem Bruin | M |
| 2 | Kieron Batt | M |
| 4 | Jonny Clapcott | M |
| Under 7 Male | ||
| 1 | Tommy Nation | M |
| 2 | Lance Hunt | M |
| 3 | George Foote | M |
| Under 7 Female | ||
| 1 | Charlotte McLaren | F |
| 2 | Lara Nicoll | F |
| 3 | Francis York | F |
| Under 10 Male | ||
| 1 | Benjamin Gray | M |
| 2 | Ted Hunter | M |
| 3 | Lachie Leitch | M |
| Under 10 Female | ||
| 1 | Amy Nicoll | F |
| 2 | Kate McLaren | F |
| 3 | Anna McLaren | F |