Tight margins in ‘brutal’ race
IT was a 75km ‘‘gutbusting’’ bike race in which competitors reached 1300m in altitude, but in the end only 27 seconds separated the first three across the line.
Paul Wright (19), of Wanaka, was first home in the Bannockburn Gutbuster in a time of 3hr 15min 02sec but two other competitors were close on his heels.
Mike Sangster (24), of Alexandra, was second in 3:15.28 and Richard Dunnett (28), of Arrowtown, was third in 3:15.29. They took out the three top spots in the open male category.
The challenging 75km course goes from Garston through the Nevis Valley into Bannockburn and competitors faced temperatures of up to 30degC for their last climb to the 1300m Duffers Saddle. Many said it was ‘‘a bit brutal’’ but race organiser Terry Davis said ‘‘it was meant to be hard’’.
It was neck and neck for much of the way. Wright took an early lead but others were on his tail, catching up properly for the last 15km on the flats.
First woman home was Annabel Anderson, of Wanaka, in 3:51.17 and first in the masters male section was Shaun Portegys, of Alexandra, in 3:25.33.
First masters female was Ronel Cook (4:10.43), first jun ior male Josh Burnett (3:20.58), first junior male Imogen Blance (4:04.13), first veteran 1 male Geoff Keogh (3:37.04), first veteran 1 female Polly Buchanan (4:48.51), first veteran 2 male Dave Johnstone (4:20.01), first veteran 2 female Jill Wolff (5:12.37) and first team Landpro (4:39.10).