Annaliisa, Sam, Fitzy and Tracy rolling out of Hanmer.Sunday 6th May, round 4 of the Benchmark Homes 8 race series from Hanmer to Kaikoura, better weather this year than last and it stayed that way all day.
Hayden Roulston broke away early with Ed Barrett and when I say early I mean early, like in the first few k's, we thought far too early we'll let them go, unfortunately we made a rather large error in underestimating both of their strengths as they managed to stay away together for the best part of the race.
Numerous attempts were made to bridge the gap but all proved fruitless, until after halfway, when Daniel Barry went away closely followed by Paul Odlin and Ross Machejefski. Once these three got together and started working they soon started pulling in the leaders, soon after Barrett started to feel the strain of going so early and soon drifted back to the chasers and then back to the main bunch, all the while the three chasers kept working away slowly but surely pulling back Roulston.
At one stage Roulstons lead was out to over 5 minutes, by the end it had been whittled back to a mere 24 seconds. Nonetheless an outstanding ride by Roulston to win the race showing once again his true class.
Paul came home strongly in 2nd place followed closely by Daniel Barry and then Ross Machejefski who was starting to fade a little.
As it turned out the race worked out alright for us as Paul extended his lead over the rest of the field and Mike Kingan sprinted home exceptionally well, after doing a fair amount of work to protect Paul, to get himself a few more points. Sam Horgan also rode outstandingly to finish in the top 10 & 2nd U23 rider.
The woman's competition is starting to heat up. Tracy found the going a bit tough but in typical Tracy style she still finished and collected some more points as well, Annaliisa however stayed in contact with the other woman throughout the race but just didn't quite have the legs at the finish, being out sprinted by Katri Laike.
Annaliisa crossing the line in Kaikoura.
Hayden Roulston broke away early with Ed Barrett and when I say early I mean early, like in the first few k's, we thought far too early we'll let them go, unfortunately we made a rather large error in underestimating both of their strengths as they managed to stay away together for the best part of the race.
Numerous attempts were made to bridge the gap but all proved fruitless, until after halfway, when Daniel Barry went away closely followed by Paul Odlin and Ross Machejefski. Once these three got together and started working they soon started pulling in the leaders, soon after Barrett started to feel the strain of going so early and soon drifted back to the chasers and then back to the main bunch, all the while the three chasers kept working away slowly but surely pulling back Roulston.
At one stage Roulstons lead was out to over 5 minutes, by the end it had been whittled back to a mere 24 seconds. Nonetheless an outstanding ride by Roulston to win the race showing once again his true class.
Paul came home strongly in 2nd place followed closely by Daniel Barry and then Ross Machejefski who was starting to fade a little.
As it turned out the race worked out alright for us as Paul extended his lead over the rest of the field and Mike Kingan sprinted home exceptionally well, after doing a fair amount of work to protect Paul, to get himself a few more points. Sam Horgan also rode outstandingly to finish in the top 10 & 2nd U23 rider.
The woman's competition is starting to heat up. Tracy found the going a bit tough but in typical Tracy style she still finished and collected some more points as well, Annaliisa however stayed in contact with the other woman throughout the race but just didn't quite have the legs at the finish, being out sprinted by Katri Laike.
Annaliisa crossing the line in Kaikoura.
Dave crossing the line in Kaikoura.There was only a whisker between us and Benchmark for the Teams prize, one place to be precise and they had to check it on the video to make sure.
I have to say well done everyone on the team, we are going into the winter break in a very strong position, we hold the overall lead, the woman's lead (x2), 2nd in the teams standings and Mike Kingan in the top five also. This has been achieved by outstanding teamwork and selfless dedication to the team, I thank you all.
Results:
1st Hayden Roulston (Kelford/Reiker)
2nd Paul Odlin (Laurie Dawe Cycles)
3rd Daniel Barry (Benchmark Homes)
4th Ross Machejefski (Individual/Hokitika)
5th Brian Folwer (Kelford/Reiker)
6th Joe Chapman (Harty's-Lowe & Assoc.)
7th Glenn Rewi (Benchmark Homes)
8th Mike Kingan (Laurie Dawe Cycles)
9th Scott Wilder (Benchmark Homes)
10th Sam Horgan (Laurie Dawe Cycles)
1st Woman:
Katri Laike
1st Team:
1st Team:
Benchmark Homes 
Paul crossing the line in Kaikoura.
Photos courtesy of Annabel Fitzsimons.
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