Harry Hanley's A Grade Vets Cora Lyn-Nar Nar Goon Race Report for 4 May 2008
- By Harry Hanley
- Published 05-May-08
After racing Saturday on the Northern Combine's Gisbourne South circuit which features a 5.1% climb every lap, the flat Cora Lyn-Nar Nar Goon circuit was a welcome change.
The A-Grade group started with about 20 riders and were to make three laps around the 24km Nar Nar Goon circuit. It was about 8° when we started with very little wind and the race commenced like an easy roll to Cafe' Racer. There was not much excitement on the first lap, though the pace steadily rose as our legs got warmer and the blood started flowing.
On the second lap the wind picked up and started to become a factor. At one point, with the wind at our backs we got over 60km/h on the flat. As we made a left and headed back toward the start/finish line, the wind which was once at our backs now came strong from the left. The group naturally formed into a echelon pattern.
Despite the wind, only a few riders got spat out the back and a sprint finish was setting up. I positioned myself toward the front and waited for someone else to launch the sprint. It didn't happen so I punched it just after passing the 250m mark. I half expected the entire group to come steaming by, but only two riders made it around. A well deserved win by Laurie Gates followed by a stealthily hidden David Heatley. I took third and was happy with that...
H. Hanley
