Karen Blade
15 Feb 2024
There were 26 riders who turned out for tonights graded road race on the Double Bridges Rangitumau course. Conditions were nigh perfect with a warm, dry and sunny evening and no wind to speak of
Three grades, A, B & C with 9, 7 and 8 riders respectively were organised at the start line and set off at one minute intervals with the A grade off first
Tonights course essentially had two sections; the out and return to Jacksons Line followed by the climb up Kaka Amu road to the very top. The A and C grades stayed together until reaching the base of Rangitumau whilst the B grade developed a split with three riders off the back at the the turn point
Unlike several weeks ago when the finish was halfway up Kaka Amu road, tonights finish was at the very top so the climb. This effectively doubled the amount of climbing for the riders. With an undulating profile including several steep ramps the climb ensured the groups were strung out by the time they crossed the finish line
Well done to the winners