Simon Butler, right, competing in a 2021 race, was the first Tararua Builders rider home in seventh place. PHOTO/FILE
CYCLING
A commanding win and two tight sprint finishes highlighted the first race of the Trust House Team Series raced at Alfredton on Sunday.
A lack of category one riders, meant category two became the top grade, with Wellington’s Jack Polley cruising to a comfortable two and a half minute victory in the 102km race over three laps of the demanding course.
Polley, from the PNP club was strong throughout and pulled away to win in a time of two hours 36 minutes 33.2 seconds, well clear of Tom Gollins [Meo GP], who pipped Wilson Hannon, racing as an individual, by 0.44 seconds for runner-up.
West Coast North Island took early control in the team competition, with five riders in the top 11. Sam Wade was fourth, Jack Padega fifth, Wiremu Kaihau seventh, Josh Mulcahy ninth, and Jeremy Rowe 11th in a dominant team performance.
Tim Renner won a sprint finish from Pedal Project teammate Jeremy Salmond to win the category three race over two laps [64km] in 1hr 54mins 4.68sec.
Masterton father and son Derek and Caleb Roberts, riding for Capital Cycles-Best Build-Fast House, had top six finishes, with Derek third and Caleb sixth, both 14 seconds behind Renner.
Simon Butler was the best of the Wairarapa-based Tararua Builders team in seventh, with Richard van Lent 10th and Gareth Price 11th. All three were in the second bunch sprint.
The closest finish of the day came in category three, raced over two laps, with less than two seconds covering the first six riders.
Jonny Holtom [Kapiti] won in a time of 1hr 56mins 15.25secs, taking the sprint finish from Andrew Campbell [Pedal Project], and teammate Rhys Evans in third place.
Dave Drummond [Tbr Lost Boys] was the best of the locals in 16th place.
The next race in the series is on the Alfredton-Pongaroa-Alfredton course on Sunday, October 2.
