Riders prove they’re up to the challenge
Sam Gardner was the fastest man over 144km at the Manawatu Cycle Challenge at the weekend.
Riding for Palmerston North’s Team Bikebox Rental, Gardner was first home in 4hr 2min 4sec in the ride from Ashhurst to Cheltenham, Kimbolton, Rangiwahia and back to Ashhurst via Pohangina Valley.
He had a good battle with Brett Grieve, who went off the front for about 80km, but was caught by Gardner.
Grieve finished three and a half minutes behind Gardner in 4hr 5min 34sec and Matt Frecklington was third in 4 hr 7min 4sec.
Michelle Turner was the first woman in 5hr 11min 6sec.
There were about 160 entries, which was up from last year, which may have been helped by the addition of 5km and 10km fun rides along the Manawatu River pathway.
Colin Sullivan was first home in the 104km ride in 3hr 27min 8sec, with Philipp Vranek second in 3hr 33min 15sec and Aiden Jones a second behind him in third.
Janice Hill was 10th overall and the first woman in 3hr 46min 33sec.
In the 72km ride, Charlie Studd won in 2hr 6min 33 sec, second-placed Michael White finished in 2hr 7min 12sec and Rosie O’brien was third in 2hr 18min 32sec.
Fourteen-year-old Ewan Cousins won the 36km event, finishing in 1hr 6min 56sec.
Mark Grayson was second in 1hr 15min 29 sec, Alex Fenn was third in 1hr 27min 23sec and Penny Gough was the first woman in sixth place in 1hr 32min 5sec.
It was the fourth year of the event.