Yates sets record to win Taupo-Napier Classic

28 September 2008, 7:01PM
Femme

Former world junior champion cyclist Jeremy Yates was in impressive form to take out the Taupo to Napier Classic today.

The Ramblers rider from Hawkes Bay, who went with an early breakaway in the 140km event, won in a record 3:11.15s, taking more than 10 minutes off the previous best time for the race.

It was the second round of BikeNZ’s inaugural Lion Foundational National Road Series. Karl Murray (Counties Manukau), the winner of the opening round in Auckland, retains his lead in the series after finishing fourth today.

Yates finished 25 seconds clear of Palmerston North teenager Tom Findlay with Nick Lovegrove holding out fellow Counties Manukau riders Murray, Aaron Strong and under-23 leader Elliott Crowther for third.

With the benefit of a healthy tail wind, a group of five riders broke away after only 15km, consisting of Yates, Murray, Findlay, Lovegrove and Crowther. They opened a two minute 30 second advantage going over the Mohaka River bridge at the start of the first climb.

Yates, with the help of Findlay, broke clear of the group on the final climb to the summit at Totiokura with the young Manawatu rider unable to hold on to Yates in the strong crosswinds coming into Napier, falling 25 seconds adrift at the finish.

The rest of the initial breakaway were joined by Strong to fight out for the remaining podium place, with Lovegrove proving too strong.

It was an impressive day for young riders with runner-up Findlay in the under-19 class, Crowther (under 23) sixth ahead of Taupo’s Patrick Bevin, another under-19 rider.

Not to be outdone, veteran Ben Evans (Whangarei) continued his excellent form to finish ninth overall, moving to a share of fifth place in the series after his seventh placing in the first round.

Murray retains his overall series lead on 145 points with Yates jumping to second on 125 and Crowther third on 75, Strong fourth on 60 with Evans and Gordon McCauley fifth on 50.

Well known Hawkes Bay cyclist Kerry Harford took out the B Grade honours in an excellent 3:38.35 from Taranaki’s Brent Bismark and fellow Ramblers rider Richard Brough.

New Zealand representative Serena Sheridan (Nelson) took out the women’s honours in 3:51.11 from Suzanne Charles (Palmerston North) and Tara Allerton (New Plymouth).

Results, Taupo-Napier Classic, round 2 Lion Foundation National Road Series, 140km:

A grade: Jeremy Yates (Ramblers, Hawkes Bay) 3:11.15, 1 (Race record); Tom Findlay (Palmerston North) at 20s, 2; Nick Lovegrove (Counties Manukau) at 3:06, 3; Karl Murray (Counties Manukau) at 3:06, 4; Aaron Strong (Counties Manukau) at 3:06, 5; Elliott Crowther (Counties Manukau) at 3:06, 6; Patrick Bevin (Taupo) at 6:56, 7; James Dobson (Palmerston North) at 6:56, 8; Ben Evans (Whangarei) at 6:56, 9; Justin Kerr (Hamilton) at 7:15, 10.

B grade: Kerry Harford (Ramblers Hawkes Bay) 3:38.45, 1; Brent Bismark (Taranaki) 2, Richard Brough (Ramblers Hawkes Bay) 3.

Under 23: Crowther 1, Dobson 2, Sheldon Gorter (Hamilton 3.

Women: Serena Sheridan (Nelson) 3:51.11, 1; Suzanne Charles (Palmerston North) 2, Tara Allerton (New Plymouth) 3.

Search