King & Queen of Rawhiti Rounds 2 & 3

 

Round Two for the Whakatane Mountain Bike Clubs’ King & Queen of Rawhiti race series was held on Wednesday night. 16 riders gathered at the barn for group ride to the transmitter, this weeks start line. The race started down Eastern Express, before Works Whoops and the Saplings finishing at the barn.

 

The races first casualty came only a third into the climb up. Karen Hanlen snapped her derailleur hanger leading to a DNS after her win in Round One.

 

Riders pushed hard on the way back to the barn, with numerous stories of 2-wheel drifts and washouts. Aaron Mallet even managed to snap his chain, bringing the total to four destroyed chains in two weeks.

 

In the end Shane Armstrong was fastest down in 12 minutes 36 seconds, leading home Andy High, Leon Woods, Rex Humpherson and David Milne. For the women Amy Hurren narrowly beat Ashley Graham, Sandy Clark and Iona Graham in a time of 17 minutes 46 seconds.

Race 3 saw a smaller turn out with the threat of rain in the air.

Rex lead the bunch onto Access Track with Brad taking the lead about half way up. Aaron was close behind with Andy and Karen following. A wrong turn on Taylors Loop by both Karen & Amy put them back in the field. By the end of Stage Right Brad had built up a sizable lead with Rex, Aaron & Andy fighting it out for second. Rex got away from the others on the climb to the start of Half Mast. By the end of Half Mast Andy had managed to open up a small gap on Aaron. A short blast down Works Whoops and Skid Road, a sharp up hill & then onto Mal's Surprise. Back onto Skid Road and out via Exit Track, Sharp Exit & River Road.

Brad took full 'King' points followed by Rex, Andy, Aaron, Leon & Colin. Karen scooped all the 1st place 'Queen' points (& finished 5th overall) followed by Amy.

Thanks to Matt for marking the course, Erica for timing, and Graham, Sharon, Ruth, Anita, and Byron for marshalling.

Race 4 will be held next Wednesday [November 25] at 6pm.