David
19 Jan 2026
Race Report – 20 January 026 Lees Pakaraka MSRR
The inaugural race for 2026 was a 20.37km dash around the Lees Pakaraka circuit. The weather was grey with threatening rain and a cool nor’easterly wind
If anyone was hoping for a good turnout they would have been disappointed with a mere twelve riders, including one super domestique on an ebike, presenting themselves to the start line. It was an all male lineup with the clubs female riders in abeyance for this race
The Lees Pakaraka circuit is essentially flat with two modest inclines. The first as the riders turn right off Te Whiti road the second near the end as the road goes up past the woolshed. The nor ‘easterly presented as a headwind on the outward leg and along Lees Pakaraka turning tailwind as riders turned left heading back up to Watsons road and headwind again as riders came round the right hand bend onto the finish straight
From the off the race was neutralised until just out of town on Johnson Street. As the flag dropped the pace immediately ramped up stringing out the bunch and dropping one or two out the back. This group stayed together until the first incline on Lees Pakaraka where the pace proved too much for a couple more riders who were left to time trial back to the finish line. The remaining bunch stayed together finishing with a sprint for the line
Well done to Derek De Zwart for claiming 1st place and thanks to all the riders who turned out to race
Results Race Time
1st Derek de Zwart 32:52
2nd Dominic Green 32:54
3rd Chris Smith 32:56
Many thanks again to the volunteers for supporting the race, doing the truck and setting up the signage and the lone marshal for keeping riders safe
Stay tuned for next week’s race on Tuesday 27 January