Race report by Mat.

Day Seven Stage 12: Hamilton to Glenn Murray – 73km

The mornings stage started at Terapa and goes to Ngaruwahia, Waingaro and takes the back road to Glenn Murray. The first 25 kms is falt and then there are 3 good climbs over undulating terrain. After yesterdays sort out for the yellow jersey I was expecting a fight back from the kids at some point. That would mean that they would need to break away in the hills. I thought that being the last day in all, I would attack on both stages and see if anyone would care or not as my GC placing wasn’t going to threaten anyone. From the gun I attacked and got chased down. I did a couple of roll-throughs on the front with 6 other guys and then they made some indecision and didn’t want to keep rolling. I attacked again and got away. I couple of half hearted chasers got reeled back in and I settled in at a pace between 40 – 45km. I lost sight of the bunch and just kept pedalling at a constant sustainable pace into a slight head wind which suits me a bit more than the guys chasing. I kept away for 25km and then got caught on the first climb as my legs were feeling a bit pumped by then. I got spat out of the lead bunch and then clawed my way back. This happened to me more times on various hills. I got spat and got back on. Finally I got busted on the final big climb and I was determined not to get caught by the next chasing group. I stayed away from them and helped an old school friend of mine stay away from them as well, which ultimately improved his GC by 5 places. I felt broken after I rolled over the line but I thought that the possibility of a stage placing at this point in the proceedings is better than defending 33rd spot in general categorisation. This descision cost me 4 minutes on the winner and 1.40 on the lead bunch but I was determined to have a stab.

Stage 12 results

Mat: +4.25. 31st place.
John: +1.48. 18th place
Day Seven Stage 13: Glenn Murray to Pukekohe – 38km

This is the final stage of the Wellington to Auckland race. It has an undulating start with some more climbing to do and then a fast down section to cross the Waikato river with more climbing back to Pukekohe and the finish on the race. Armed with sore legs, I smashed it out of the blocks and got away again. 2 others came with me this time and we made good distance between us and the chasing bunch. We were caught about 7km down the road on the first good climb. They must have put the hammer on because the chase group was down to 15 guys. I had to battle big time to stay on as it was battle royal for the yellow jersey wearers. I got spat on another hill but just managed to stay in the cars and get back on. More attacks started after we crossed the Waikato with the kids throwing everything at the yellow jersey, and counter attacks being dished out in return. I had one last bash at it and got reeled in again. I stayed with the lead group to the finish and with munted legs I opted not to battle for the final sprint. Today was really hard and a lot of people lost a lot of time and GC spots.

Stage 13 results:

Mat: +0.14 25th place
John: +0.14 14th place

Overall placings:

Mat: 13th out of 34 in grade. 32nd out of 130 riders in overall GC. + 48.48
John: 6th out of 20 in grade. 26th out of 130 riders in overall GC. + 34.36

The ride was very competitive with ex-New Zealand champions in the field such as Stephen Carton, Blair Stockwell, Jack Swart, Stephen Swart and a bunch of other ex-pro bike racers. I’ve learnt a lot during the last 7 days, most of all that it is a special type of person to be able to contend for GC. John and I finished in the upper 25% quintile and considering we were riding against teams, and me losing at least 12 minutes on stage 3 due to a flat we did very well. To contest GC in this race you have to be able to climb with the very best or you just aren’t going to be there. Even at my very best in the hills I am average. I through everything at the stage from Kakatahi to Ohakune up fields track and hung on to the top of the first 7km climb but paid of it severely the next day over Pihanga. I am resigned to domestic helper category I reckon.

The race is superbly organised by Stephen Cox of Dynamo Events. He is also ex- NZ champion and knows a fair bit about what a weekend warrior’s bike race should be. Without doubt this would be the best cycling experience that I have had to date. The fact that there are presentations each night and dinner, and all age groups have a yellow jersey is really great. The KOM and Sprint Ace were also strongly contested as well and the camaraderie was great throughout the event. If you have every dreamt about riding in a grand tour, this is probably the closest experience that you could have to it. Just finishing is a fantastic achievement it it’s own right as it is still 720km of racing in a single week.

I will come back next year for another crack. If anyone has any interest in this (I mean anyone from recreation riders to racers) let me know as it would be really great to go back with a contingent of people.