Auckland Schools Dominate National Cycling Team Time Trials

Auckland’s St Kentigern College edged out rivals to claim the team time trial honours at the RaboPlus New Zealand Secondary School in Levin at the weekend.

Auckland schools dominated the 41st Sir Bernard Fergusson team time trials, winning all six age groups decided in near perfect conditions in Levin, with only three seconds separating the first three teams in the under-20 boys.

There are record entries with 620 riders and 120 teams from 89 schools contesting the three-day event with the time trials today, road race in Feilding tomorrow and a points race at Manfeild for seniors and Avanti Novice Tour of Manawatu on Monday.

Most attention was on the boys’ under-20 clash with Christchurch Boys High School defending their title and bolstered with the inclusion of world junior track championship riders Josh Atkins and Michael Vink.

St Kentigern, fifth to last of the 27 teams, set the standard with an excellent team performance to clock 26:12.91 for the 16km loop, timed when the fourth rider crossed the finish line.

 Auckland Grammar, including New Zealand Under-19 representatives George Scott and Michael Poole, were just 1.5 seconds slower to grab second place, while St Kentigern College were a further 1.6 seconds back in third in a closely fought time trial.

Sacred Heart College and St Kentigerns won the under-16 and year 7-8 titles respectively.

Diocesan School continued their remarkable domination in the under-20 girls competition, winning for a record sixth straight time and the ninth time in the last 11 years.

Waikato Diocesan, the first of the 15 teams on the road, set the standard with an excellent 26:25.09 which stood until the top qualifier and last team on the road, Diocesan School produced a strong performance to win in 26:05:58 – 20 seconds faster.

St Cuthberts College won both the year 7-8 and the under-16 national titles.

Full results, race times and information on www.bikenz.org.nz/schoolroadnats
Results, Sir Bernard Fergusson team time trial results, 16km:
Female, year 7-8: St Cuthberts College 31:21.19, 1; Baradene College 32:12.92, 2; Taupo Intermediate 32:17.99, 3.
Under 16: St Cuthberts College 26:25.00, 1; Diocesan School 27:11.17, 2; Palmerston North GHS, 28:01.36, 3.
Under 20: Diocesan School for Girls 26:05.58, 1; Waikato Diocesan 26:25.09, 2; St Kentigern College 27:30.12, 3.

Male, 7-8: St Kentigern 28:51.78, 1; Renwick School 29:48.07, 2; Taupo Intermediate 29:57.18, 3.
Under 16: Sacred Heart College 24:07.89, 1; Macleans College 24:43.56, 2; Palmerston North BHS 25:07.31, 3.
Under 20: St Kentigern College 23:12.91, 1; Auckland Grammar 23:14.43, 2; Christchurch Boys HS 23:16.01, 3.