Our Mauku Mountain Classic is one of my favourite races as the atmosphere at the top of Bald Hill reminds me of being at the top of Alpe d'Huez and is always really buzzy - Saturday was not a disappointment. Bear in mind I’m not a cyclist and find the drive up in the car steep and am always impressed by anyone who makes to it the top of any hill.
As usual the weather was not kind to us and although the morning started with blue sky and no wind, by the time the race was due to start at 9.00am the fog had rolled in and refused to move. Traffic management could not set up until the visibility was at 100 metres the whole way round the course, and as one bit cleared the fog moved to another part. Eventually at 11.10am we were given the all clear and finally the cold & shivering riders were able to start the race. Sadly, some riders could not wait for the race to start as they had other commitments.
It was beautiful at the top of the hill. A & B Grade had an exciting finish as the majority of the peloton had stayed together the whole race of 3 laps and the first 15 riders (A & B) finished within 45 seconds. Congratulations to Stuart Holder who won A Grade, and new member Daniel Holt Pedersen 1st, Christian Rush 2nd & Dan Cross 3rd in B Grade. Daniel won C grade at our race last weekend at Ramarama and moved himself up to B Grade – a young rider to watch.
Results for C Grade 1st Kieran Benade, 2nd Troy Shepherd & 3rd Matteo Mannoni. D Grade was won by Sam Sedgwick with Dennis Basten and George Hayes 2nd & 3rd. E grade results are Brett Harpur 1st, Chris Pilone 2nd, Mary Ingle 3rd and social Grade Ian Grose 1st, Denise Claxton 2nd and Allan Janes 3rd.
Its great to see our women riders Sam (1st D grade), Mary and Denise featuring in our results.
Congratulations to everyone who raced. There are some photos on our Facebook page and click here for the results.
Thank you to everyone who enters as well as those who support our races including Brendan Patterson our Commissaire for the day, Mike Cornelius who kept an eye on the riders from his Ducati and Theresa Grose who manned the registration desk.
Claire Blackwood