A calm overcast Wairarapa day greeted riders for race one of the PNP Pak’N Save Summer Road Series, the Ocean Beach Challenge. Rain threatened but never quite arrived. The turnout was fantastic with almost 100 riders participating, 74 in the 82km Grand Fondo and 23 in the 60km Medio Fondo.
The calm muggy conditions foretold a fast race for the Grand Fondo and the pace was hot from the gun with several attempts to establish a break on the outward leg being unsuccessful. The peloton arrived at the turnaround intact. The small pinch climb just before the turn split the pack and some hard chasing was required by many to get back on. The first decisive break of the day followed soon after with Dave Rowlands going clear soon to be joined by Matthew Webber. They stayed off the front for a good 5km before being absorbed back into the bunch.
The action really started to heat up in the turn for home with numerous attacks and counter-attacks occurring. Several mini breaks occurred but none were able to stick. 12kms from the finish a break went clear and this turned out to be the winning move. The break worked well together and held a slender 10 second lead at the 5 km marker. The bunch lacked the cohesiveness to close the small gap and with the finish line in sight and the bunch closing fast, Dave Rowlands sprinted away from the other escapees for an excellent win ahead of Brendan McGrath and Henry Levett. Ione Johnson finished in the front bunch winning the Women’s open from Natalie Howell.
The Medio Fondo was just as hard fought with 14 of the riders finishing within 13 seconds of the winner. The riders set off at a good clip with the experienced riders organising the bunch and keeping the pace high. The first attack happened at the 20km mark as the race went up a short climb. This saw the bunch split with nine riders unable to regain contact. As with the Grand Fondo the heat went on down the homeward stretch and numerous attempts were made to get away. None being successful. This saw the 14 strong peloton line for a full gas sprint. Close to the finish 15 year old Josh Turnbull jumped and managed to open up a five bike length lead. Greg Cundy using all of his race experience managed to catch Josh on the line and take the win by a tyre width! a fantastic finish!
It was a great day of racing for all with a fantastic set results from the 11 OTB racing team starters.
As a result of these category wins and a number high placings OTB hold a lead in the Teams Competition from MeoGP and Rivet Racing- the nature of the format rewards teams with good performances across the sex and age categories, we look forward to you joining us at the next event on the 24th of Feb
Full results from event 1 https://www.pnp.org.nz/summer-series-results