CYCLING

Final race for North Island team series

By NZ Cycle Classic

The Trust House North Island team series is set for a thrilling finale in the Wairarapa this weekend, with overall victory in the series on the line. 

With just nine points separating the series leader David Weaver from four other riders, this Sunday’s final race held on the outskirts of Masterton will decide the overall 2016 Trust House winner.  Chasing Weaver are David Rowlands from Breadcraft team, Joel Yates from Team Skoda racing and current U23 leader, Paul Duynhoven from Blindz Direct team and English rider Glenn Haden from Bikebox rentals team nine points behind.

Race Director Jorge Sandoval says any of these five riders are in with a chance to take the series title. He says David Weaver must finish in the top three to ensure the overall victory.

“With the top places so close this week, racing will be all about team tactics. This will suit Weaver who can let other riders go up the road while he concentrates in marking Rowlands,” says Sandoval.
“The cards are on Rowlands team to be aggressive and attack Weaver, this is the beauty of team’s racing.”  

The action in the Mitre 10 Masterton 34-44 master’s grade is all about one man, last year’s winner John Randall who rides for the Roadworks team.  He has a good lead of eleven points in front of second placed Steve Bale from Fitlab team.

Randall has been so dominant in this year’s five race series that all other riders are over 20 points behind him. He fought his way to the top of Admiral Hill in last week’s race to protect his lead.
The exciting race will be in the masters two grade with only one point separating the first two riders.  Even though current leader Kerrin Allwood, from PNP team, has been consistent over the four previous races, he struggled up Admiral hill but his determination to finish in the top 15 and earn four points, kept him as leader heading into the final round.
 
Chasing Allwood is former Olympian and Commonwealth Games gold medallist Gary Anderson riding for Velo Ronny’s Trek who is one point behind.
 
Sandoval is looking forward to the outcome of the final race and is already planning next year’s series.
“I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the number of people that have taken part in the first Trust House series.  Over 220 riders have entered the races - a good problem to have- but with riders of so many different abilities, especially in the master’s grades, is imperative that next year we find new circuits and encourage more riders to come to Wairarapa and take part in the series”.



Sunday’s final race will start from Henley Lake in Masterton and will finish at Black Rock Road.  Riders will ride towards Eketahuna via Whangaehu Valley Rd and Route 52 before returning to the finish.
For more information please contact Jorge Sandoval 0274464300