Burke claims first cycling title in RaboPlus national club champs

Counties Manukau cyclist Mel Burke claimed a bold victory in the senior women’s road race at the RaboPlus national club championships in Hawkes Bay today.

Burke, the New Zealand duathlon champion, claimed her first national cycling title when she broke clear 15kms from the finish of the 104km race.

She attacked strongly as soon as the peloton caught Te Awamutu Sports’ rider Sonia Waddell, and held on to win by seven seconds from Karen Fulton (Tasman Wheelers) who was also on the podium for the time trial, and Emily Collins (Counties Manukau).

Burke was surprised her attack paid dividends and that she was able to hold on over the hilly and windy course.

“It took us quite a while to haul in Sonia. We caught her on a downhill and I immediately went all out. I was near the back of the pack and went hard,” Burke said.

“At the top of the hill I looked behind and had a gap. I was quite surprised that no-one had come across so I went as hard as I could. At one stage they got to within reach of me but once I got over the final tricky descent, I knew I could hold them off.”

Burke, 30, has only been riding for 18 months, with the former well-respected marathon runner lured to the sport through the Power to Podium initiative, as well as winning the national duathlon title last year.

“Cycling is really my thing now, although I am competing in a national duathlon selection race next weekend for the world championships.

“This result is great. I want to go as far as I can in cycling and hopefully get to compete overseas in the future.”

There was an early break from Chubby Hale (Marsden Wheelers) that was caught at the 20km mark before Waddell, who won the time trial on Friday, made her break.  She was caught at the first attempt but broke clear again to establish a solid lead that was only hauled in 15kms from the finish.

The championships conclude tomorrow with the senior and under-23 men’s road race.

Women, senior (104km): Mel Burke (Counties Manukau) 3:23.25, 1; Karen Fulton (Tasman Wheelers) 3:23.32, 2; Emily Collins (Counties Manukau) same time, 3.

Under 19: Georgia Williams (North Harbour) 1:38.59, 1; Philippa Sutton (Hamilton City) same time, 2; Alexandra Neems (Counties Manukau) 1:39.00, 3.

Masters 1: Tara Allerton (Stratford) 2:38.39, 1; Sherily Gray (Port Nicholson Poneke) 2:40.21, 2; Victoria Shelling (Tasman Wheelers) 2:40.22, 3.

Masters 2: Rachel Larner (Counties Manukau) 2:34.14, 1; Mireille Sitters (North Harbour) 2:39.08, 2; Margy Weston (Cycling New Plymouth) 2:40.42, 3.

Masters 3: Sue Clark (Counties Manukau) 1:44.14, 1; Ingrid Perols (Ramblers) 1:44.27, 2; Sheryl Duncan (Taupo) 1:45.44, 3.

Masters 4: Jan Brosnahan (Cycling Otago) 1:46.35, 1; Lesley Mouat (Masterton) 1:46.35, 2; Lynda Goldsack (Counties Manukau) 1:52.04, 3.

Masters 5: Denese Keenan (Timaru) 1:46.36, 1; Jackie Drury (Wellington Veterans) 1:50.02, 2; Rosemary Weskett (Ramblers) 1:50.47, 3.

Men:

Masters 1: David Rowlands (Port Nicholson Poneke) 2:59.17, 1; Brent Backhouse (PNP) 2:59.18, 2; Karl Murray (Counties Manukau) 3:01.49, 3.

Masters 2: Lee Johnstone (Marsden Wheelers) 2:48.57, 1; Craig Lawn (Port Nicholson Poneke) 2:48.58, 2; Kevin Strongman (Gisborne) same time, 3.

Masters 3: Jim McMurray (Forestland Wheelers) 2:15.14, 1; Darryl Strachan (Ramblers) 2:15.16, 2; Kerry Harford (Ramblers) 2:16.14, 3.

Full results: www.bikenz.org.nz