Yates wins Senior Title in tough conditions

Former World Junior Champion, Jeremy Yates was too strong for the field in the Senior Mens road race at the Lion Foundation Club Road nationals held in Karaka today.

In a repeat performance of the Auckland Championships a fortnight ago, Yates the 2 time national Under 23 champion was just too strong leaving Karl Murray and Will Alexander to scrap it out for 2nd and 3rd.

The race began with 70 riders in extremely difficult gusty conditions, as the laps progressed riders dropped off the pace and just a quarter of the field were able to cross the finish line.





The Under 23 men race was held in conjunction with the Senior Men. Elliot Crowther, Morrinsville Wheelers, rode an outstanding race winning the race by 3 minutes. Crowther, a NZ Junior representative on the track, broke away with Yates and rode the 2nd fastest ride of the day.





The Under 17 Boys race stuck together for the majority of the race and in a sprint finish Ruaraidh McLeod of Pegasus Club won the race, keeping it in the south, Cycling Southland’s Hamish Tomlinson was 2nd and Pegasus rider and former NZ Secondary Schools Champion, Thomas Hubbard was 3rd.



It was with little surpsrise that the points shield went to Pegasus Club from Christchurch. Points accumulated for the clubs throughout the championships. Hosts Counties Manukau were 2nd and Ramblers (Hawkes Bay) were 3rd.





Results:Lion Foundation Club Road Cycling Championships

Senior Men 182km Road Race

1st Jeremy Yates, Ramblers (Hawkes Bay) 4:49:55, 2nd Karl Murray, Counties Manukau, 4:51:23, 3rd Will Alexander, North Harbour, 4:51:23 3:35:36





Under 23 Men 182Km Road Race

1st Elliot Crowther, Morrinsville Wheelers, 4:50:31, 2nd Samuel Horgan, Pegasus (Christchurch), 4:53:50, 3rd Shem Rodgers, Te Awamutu, 4:53:50



Under 17 Boys 78Km Road Race

1st Ruaraidh McLeod, Pegasus (Christchurch), 2:14:16, 2nd Hamish Tomlinson, Cycling Southland, 2:14:23, 3rd Thomas Hubbard, Pegasus, 2:14:30