Results and Reports for February 29GP de Civitanova Marche, NEItaly, February 27, 2000 Courtesy of Stéphane David Results - 169 km 1. Filippo Simeoni (Ita) Amica Chips 4.18.40 2. Serguei Yakovlev (Kaz) Besson Chaussures 3. Gianmario Ortenzi (Ita) Mercatone Uno-Albacom 0.30 4. Filippo Baldo (Ita) Mobilvetta Design-Rossin 5. Cristian Gobbini (Ita) Colpack 6. Massimiliano Gentili (Ita) Cantina Tollo-Regain 7. Leandro Fioroni (Ita) Alexia Alluminio 8. Danilo Di Luca (Ita) Cantina Tollo-Regain 9. Domenico Romano (Ita) Ceramica Panaria-Gaerne 10. Oscar Cavagnis (Ita) Alexia Alluminio 1.26 Ronde d'Aix-en-ProvenceFrance, February 27, 2000 Courtesy of Stéphane David Results - Criterium 1. François Simon (Fra) Bonjour-Tourpargel 2. Oscar Freire (Spa) Mapei-Quick Step 3. Dominique Bozzi (Fra) VC Vitrolles 4. David Millar (GBr) Cofidis 5. Francisque Teyssier (Fra) Jean Delatour Circuit Vallée de la Loire, Cat. 1.12.1Loire, France, February 27, 2000 Courtesy of Jean-Francois Quenet Results - 159km 1. Erik Saunders (USA) Vendée U 3.53.40 2. Vincent Marchais (Fra) Nantes 44 0.48 3. Anthony Charteau (Fra) Vendée U 4. Bertrand Guerry (Fra) Cycle Poitevin 5. William Miloux (Fra) Nantes 44 Route BretonneFrance, February 26, 2000 Courtesy of Jean-Francois Quenet Results - 146km 1. Mickaël Boulet (Fra) Jean-Floc'h-Mantes 3.49.40 2. Christophe Thébault (Fra) Team Seat Dinan 0.02 3. Frédéric Delalande (Fra) Jean-Floc'h-Mantes 0.50 4. Stéphane Conan (Fra) P. Plouvien 5. Christophe Le Mével (Fra) Jean-Floc'h-Mantes 1.04 9th Trofeo Guerrita (Copa de España), cat 1.12.1Murcia, Spain, February 27, 2000 Courtesy of David Padilla Coixet, Ciclismo Catalan News The Trofeo Guerrita, the first race of Copa de España, went to Mallorcan Miguel Clamor Vilanova who outsprinted Gorka Gonzales for the victory. Third placed, and winner of the mountains competition was Juan Fuentes. The first attack came from six riders, Rafael Fernández (Semar), Lobsang Castellano (Nico Mora), Juan de Dios González (Puertas Artevi), Javier Cherro (Este Señal), Carlos García (Kelme-Costa Blanca) and José Antonio López (Ávila Rojas) who paswed the first sprints at 10 and 36 kilometers. They never got more than two minutes though before they were neutralized. The first climb at Alto de Gebas went to José Luis Martinez (Nico-Mora) but it was the next climb, category one to Alto de La Marina, that formed the final drama. Juan Fuentes (Café Baqué) attacked and passed half a minute ahead of a group of eleven riders. On the decent to Pliego Funetes punctured and was joined by Xabier Tondo (Banaka), Gorka González (Olarra) and Antonio Martín (Baqué). With 15 kms to go Iker Camaño (Baqué) and Miguel Clamor (Leyma) also joined the front group and the latter won the race in a sprint where Gorka González was the only serious opponent. Results - 158 km 1. Miguel Clamor (Spa) Leyma 4.10.47 (37.945 kph) 2. Gorka González (Spa) Olarra - Ercoreca 3. Joan Fuentes (Spa) Café Baqué Mountain classement: 1. Joan Fuentes (Spa) Café Baqué 137 starters 61 classified Gran Premi InaguracióCatalonia, Spain, February 27, 2000 Courtesy of David Padilla Coixet, Ciclismo Catalan News Results - 136 km 1.Robert Lozano (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca 3.49.37 2.Pedro Aroca (Spa) Kelme-Costa Blanca 3.Marcos Venegas (Spa) Sport Ter-Tadesan 1.00 4.Victor venegas (Spa) Sport Ter-Tadesan 5.Jordi Riera (Spa) Kelme Costa Blanca 1.30 6.Daniel Sanz (Spa) Peugeot Dansa 7.Dani Vancells (Spa) Palafrugell 1.33 8.Juame Rovira (Spa) Peugeot Dansa 9.Marc Mertinez (Spa) Peugeot Dansa 10.Guillen Muñoz (Spa) Cropusa-Burgos 11.Oriol Gomis (Spa) Matalas D'olot 12.Daniel Salva (Spa) Sport Ter-Tadesan 1.37 13.Sergi Escobar (Spa) Vallas Sport 14.Mariano Aguado (Spa) Palafrugell 15.Didac Cuadros (Spa) Artevi 16.Javier Vazquez (Spa) Artevi 17.Gerardo Lopez (Spa) Peugeot-Dansa 1.49 18.Jordi Cayetano (Spa) Palafrugell 19.Marc Prat Caffe (Spa) Baque 20.Gerard Bertran (Spa) Viveros Alcanar 21.Oriol Roca Cafe (Spa) Unic-Monpalet 22.Alejo Rocamora (Spa) Louis du vernier 23.Rafael Hernan (Spa) Victorietas 150 starters 32 classified 21st Coppa Città di Rosà, NEVicenza, Italy, February 26, 2000
Results 1. Francesco Colavito (Ita) Sintofarm-Frangi 2. Nicola Gavazzi (Ita) 3. Mauro Gerolimon (Ita) GP d'AperturaLugano, Switzerland, February 27, 2000 Courtesy of Velomedia Seat-Kona dominated the Swiss U23 opener. Patrick Wirth made an early attack, after it was neutralized his team mate Martin Elmiger attacked 25 kms to go. He got a 1.30 gap but was easily reeled in up the last climb of Crespera and had to let Stefan Rütimann (VC Mendrisio) and team mate David Loosli pass. In the final part of the climb Rüttiman easily pedaled away from Loosli. Rüttiman rode for Vini Caldirola-Sidermec last summer but got himself a normal Elite/U23 license this year for Vini affiliated VC Mendrisio and is supposed to ride the GP Gippingen and the Tour de Romandie for the Italian pro team. Results - U23 137.3 km 1. Stefan Rütimann (Swi) VC Mendrisio 3.33.16 (38.627 km/h) 2. David Loosli (Swi) Seat-Kona 0.13 3. Martin Elmiger (Swi) Seat-Kona 0.42 4. Milovan Stanic (Swi) Team Insubrico 2.05 5. Giuseppe Airoldi (Ita) 2.56 6. Jörg Strauss (Swi) Mephisto-Romers 2.58 7. Marco Marzano (Ita) 3.00 8. Robin Hardt (Swi) Neus 3.07 9. Ettore Bargiga (Ita) 3.10 10. Pascal Rotzetter (Swi) Tesag-Fraucherre 3.13 11. André Depppeler (Swi) Hörmann-Scheidegger 3.17 12. Hayden Godfrey (Swi) Neus 3.28 13. Beat Steffen (Swi) Team Insubrico 3.38 14. Stefan Zoss (Swi) Mephisto-Romers 4.20 15. Thomas Frischknecht (Swi) Festina-Espoirs 4.26 16. David Drolliet (Swi) VC Fribourg 4.50 17. Marco Roth (Swi) Schaller-MegaShop 4.53 18. Fabian Cancellara (Swi) MG Aqua 4.55 19. Martin Bolt (Swi) Seat-Kona 4.58 20. Davide Previtello (Ita) 5.00 21. Vincent Bader (Swi) Mephisto-Romers 5.02 22. Markus Joho (Swi) Sinalco-Kewa 5.06 23. Gabriele Bosisio (Ita) 5.09 24. Reto Küng (Swi) Hörmann-Scheidegger 5.12 25. Giulio Magri (Ita) 5.16 26. Sascha Urweider (Swi) Schaller-MegaShop 5.18 27. Paolo Vailetti (Ita) 5.21 28. Roman Burkard (Swi) Hörmann-Scheidegger 5.35 29. Mario Serpellini (Ita) 6.01 30. Raffael Bayer (Swi) Seat-Kona 7.52 147 starters 49 classified Results - Juniors 82.3 km 1. Alberto Tiberio (Swi) VC Lugano 2.13.24 (37,016 kph) 2. Kristian Fajt (Slo) 0.04 3. Remo Spirgi (Swi) RRC Amt 0.07 4. Jonas Meng (Swi) RRC Bern 0.15 5. Dany Kuhn (Swi) RV Altenrhein 0.17 6. Stephan Widmer (Swi) Bike World Team 7. Reto Heusser (Swi) Wetzikon-Schumacher 8. Roman Andres (Swi) Wetzikon-Schumacher 9. Michael Hasler (Swi) RSC Aaretal Münsingen 0.20 10. Tine Koglot (Ita) 0.25 11. Guillaume Rime (Swi) RSC Aaretal Münsingen 0.26 12. Andrea Sapora (Swi) VC Pfaffnau 0.27 13. Florian Stalder (Swi) Zweisimmen 0.32 14. Marcel Schilliger (Swi) RMV Uzwil 0.35 15. Marco Imbach (Swi) RMV Hochdorf 16. Stefan Schilliger (Swi) RMV Uzwil 17. Damian Reichlin (Swi) VMC Steinen 0.41 18. Patrick Gassmann (Swi) VC Pfaffnau 0.44 19. Jonas Blum (Swi) Wetzikon-Schumacher 0.48 20. Manuel Widmer (Swi) VMC Zollbrück 6.09 66 starters 49 classified Beginners 1. Thomas Hofstetter (Swi) Arbon 1.27.30 (35,725 kph) 2. Manuel Rhyn (Swi) RRC Bern 0.08 3. Pascal Zaugg (Swi) RV Wetzikon 0.15 4. Davide Vitoria (Swi) VC Locarno 0.47 5. Luca Pedroni (Swi) VC Bellinzona 0.55 6. Mattias Buchwalder (Swi) VC Pfaffnau 2.04 7. Thomas Strüby (Swi) VMC Schwyz 2.22 8. Pirmin Lang (Swi) VC Pfaffnau 2.28 9. Mazzarero Rossi (Swi) VC Bellinzona 2.38 10. Michele Alippi (Swi) VC Mendrisio 2.41 11. Simon Pintarelli (Swi) RV Arbon 2.58 12. Benjamin Schnyder (Swi) RRC Bern 4.18 13. Alessandro Burci (Swi) VC Lugano 4.41 14. Eric Morillal (Swi) CC Bern 4.43 15. Martin Müller (Swi) VC Steinmaur 16. Oliver Senn (Swi) VC Pfaffnau 4.46 17. Matteo Cantoreggi (Swi) VC Lugano 4.51 18. Andrea Anelli (Swi) VC Bellinzona 4.53 19. Davide Ruggieri (Swi) CC Bern 4.54 20. Michael Renggli (Swi) VC Sursee Another Dam Race, #2 and #3Arizona, USA, February 26-27, 2000 By John Alsedek, cyclingnews.com correspondent In the midst of a great weekend of racing marred by problems with officiating both on and off the race course, the Mercury team proved that their strong performance in the Tour of Langkawi was no fluke, as they dominated the three-day Another Dam Race. Following Steve Zampieri's win in the stage one hillclimb on Friday, Gord Fraser made it two in a row for Mercury in Saturday's one-hour timed criterium, thanks to a high-powered leadout by new Aussie teammate Henk Vogels. With most of the top contenders on G.C. finishing in the field, the stage was set for a showdown between the Green Wave and their only two real challengers, Navigators (whose Brendan Vesty was in fifth overall after Stage Two) and 7 UP/Colorado Cyclist (with David Zabriskie in sixth place). Stage Three was a 99-mile road race that traversed the titular Parker Dam three times as the riders rolled through the scenic Colorado River region. For the first 60 miles, the field was largely content to stay together, with only sporadic attacks that were immediately covered by Mercury. Things heated up, however, as Navigators sprint ace Vassili Davidenko flatted, and most of this teammates dropped back to assist him; Mercury immediately went to the front and pushed the pace, precipitating a seven-mile chase. Ultimately, the Navigators riders regained the field, and then proceeded to pull back a three-man break, including race leader Zampieri, that had slipped up the road. Things came back together, abetted in part by some on-course misdirection that cost the breakaway several seconds. At the finish, it was another Navigators fast finisher, Todd Littlehales, who took the bunch sprint, breaking the Mercury stranglehold on the race. However, what should have been a great day for Navigators, Mercury, and the race promoters was marred by problems with the phototiming gear that kept results from being available until well into the following day. Still, with riders in the first spots overall and two stage wins, the Mercury team had plenty to smile about. So did the Navigators, who showed that, as powerful as Mercury is, they can be beaten. The National Racing Calendar continues on March 4th and 5th with the Sequoia Cycling Classic in Visalia, California. Final results Stage 1, Hualapai Mountain Road Hill Climb 1. Steve Zampieri (Swi) Mercury 41.38 2. Floyd Landis (USA) Mercury 0.10 3. Brendon Vesty (Nzl) Navigators 0.18 4. Scott Moninger (USA) Mercury 5. David Zabriskie (USA) 7-Up-Colorado Cyclist 0.25 6. Chris Horner (USA) Mercury 7. Phil Zajicek (USA) 1.09 8. Greg Randolph (USA) GT 9. Justin Spinelli (USA) Mercury 10. Damon Kluck (USA) The Spokesman Stage 2, La Paz County Park Criterium 1. Gord Fraser (Can) Mercury 58.25 2. Trent Klasna (USA) Saturn 3. Harm Jansen (Ned) Saturn 4. Henk Vogels (Aus) Mercury 5. Kevin Monahan (USA) 7-Up-Colorado Cyclist 6. Todd Littlehales (USA) Navigators 7. Christopher Pic (USA) Zaxby's 8. Eddy Gragus (USA) Jelly Belly 0.05 9. Chris Horner (USA) Mercury 10. Erin Hartwell (USA) Saturn 0.08 Stage 3, Another Dam Race 1. Todd Littlehales (USA) Navigators. Other results not available. Overall 1. Steve Zampieri (Swi) Mercury 5.14.47 2. Floyd Landis (USA) Mercury 0.08 3. Chris Horner (USA) Mercury 0.12 4. Scott Moninger (USA) Mercury 0.14 5. Brendon Vesty (Nzl) Navigators 0.34 6. Damon Kluck (USA) The Spokesman 1.23 7. Trent Klasna (USA) Saturn 1.25 8. Christopher Pic (USA) Zaxby's 9. Justin Spinelli (USA) Mercury 1.38 10. Phil Zajicek (USA) 1.44 UK roundupCourtesy of www.echelon-velo.co.uk Peter Doyle Memorial Meonstoke, UK, February 27, 2000 With gale force winds blowing across the course and a hill of more than 1km to be climbed five times, the Peter Doyle Memorial in Hampshire had everything to make a great race and so it turned out. A full field containing some of the best Elites in the country turned out to do battle through the lanes around Meonstoke over an early season distance of 93km. When asked about the field, UK number 1 Gordon MCauley (Oleum.co.uk) looked around the room and agreed it was going to be a hard race, especially if he had anything to do it. Having only just in the last week decided to concentrate on the road this season, McCauley has been out during the week doing a series of 100 mile training rides. Although it may be too early for that to be paying dividends, the form, although behind what was at this time last year, is certainly starting to come through, something that was evident the day before when he won a hard race at Hillingdon. Not long after the the flag dropped, the race began in earnest with a number of attacks being made but it wasn't until the main climb up Wheely Downs was reached that the first serious attacks were launched. The first to try his luck was Gordon McCauley who was soon joined by Barrie Clarke. After the race a number of riders said Clarke (Raleigh) was riding like 10 men up the climbs and so it seemed as he lined the group out up Wheely Downs lap after lap. Clarke by the way is reported to be top 50 in the world in mountain biking and a former UK professinal on the road. A second attack by Matt Rogers the second time up the climb and then a counter by McCauley was the last straw for most of the field. A lead group formed including Clarke, McCauley, Aarron McCaffrey (Heffs Cycles), Peter Swettenham and Tom Smith (Twickenham CC), Justin Hoy, Matt Rogers, Paul Pickup (Liphook Cycles) and one or two others. The group had soon built up a lead of a minute on a small group of around 7 chasers but the wind and the tough course was causing that to splinter, something which played into the hands of the leading break. For most of the race, the group worked well together with most riders sharing the workload. With two laps to go, McCauley attacked again before the climb knowing Clarke may have a go on it but Clarke came back at McCauley quicker than he expected and over the top, Clarke went clear with Sweetenham, McCauley and McCaffrey chasing for a short time. The acceleration had however seen off Matt Rogers, the last rider to get dropped from the break. After that, the group resumed sharing the work and despite a slowing on the last lap when their lead was assured, up the last climb to the finish the group split again when McCauley accelerated but this time finding his legs exploding within sight of the line and seeing Clarke, McCaffrey and Pickup all come past with Pickup coming past McCaffrey to take 2nd on the line. Behind, Swettenham had trouble with his gears and had to settle for 5th place. Speaking to Peter after the race, he said after two races and a tough event at that, he was really wasted. He felt good at the beginning of the race but towards the end the legs started to fade. "I think the riders behind were a bit complacent thinking that everyone else would chase us down but I knew that as long we kept working it would be hard for them to pick us up especially as we had five or six really strong riders in the group. The long quality miles and the hill intervals up Box Hill have really helped. Last Thursday, I did 80 miles with 4 intervals up Box Hill, the last one in the dark and the rain. It has been worth it though and I'm really looking forward to the Wally Gimber next week. Talking to McCauley after the event, he was playing down the result knowing that his preparation has been far from ideal. To help get that form back on track, Gordon is heading to the hills in Yorkshire for a week to improve his climbing in the hope that this will help him get close to his best form for the first premier calendar event of the year, the Oleum-Starlight Grand Prix on March the 12th. The last word on the race has to be about the organisation because this year, a number of riders commented on how well it was run with police out riders, lots of marshals and a sporting course all going together to create a very special event to begin the year with. Results - 93 km 1. Barrie Clarke (Raleigh) 2. Paul Pickup (Liphook Cycles RT/Briko) 3. Aarron McCaffrey (Heffs Cycles) 4. Gordon McCauley (Oleum.co.uk) 5. Peter Swettenham (Twickenham CC) 6. Dave Rand (Bournemouth Arrow) 7. Rogers (VC St Raphael) 8. Danny Axford 9. Justin Hoy 10. Gareth Sephard (Cardiff JIF) 11. Andrew RivettTwickenham CC Spring Classic Hillingdon, UK, February 26, 2000 A large field lined up under sunny skies at Hillingdon in London for the Twickenham CC Spring Classic. As always at Hillingdon, the action was on from the drop of the flag and by the end of the first lap, riders were being shelled out the back as pressure from Jamie Streather and Richard Lewis had the bunch lined out. However, it was last week's winner Gordon McCauley in tandem with Doug Crow who took the race by the scruff of the neck and were soon away - never to be seen again. Behind, a chase group developed containing Peter Swettenham, Jason Streather, Paul Doherty, Paul Holdsworth, Richard Lewis and Mick McManus. This was hardly a cohesive unit and towards the latter half of the race, Peter Swettenham and Paul Holdsworth managed to slip away and quickly opened up a gap. Mick McManus tried to close the gap on his own but soon ran out of legs, falling back to the chasers. Behind, the main bunch was continually splintering but without any organised chase, they lost ground quickly although a few late attacks did almost succeed. The best of the action came at the end when Gordon McCauley and Doug Crow, in a repeat of last week, were caught by the main bunch (who were two laps down) just in time for the sprint. In the end however, McCauley won his second race in row and showed after three 100 mile rides this week, that the form is coming back in time for the start of the Premier Calendar in two weeks. Doug Crow was second and showed why he should be a force to be reckoned with during the season. Peter Swettenham won the sprint for 3rd while Paul Doherty only just edged out Jason Streather for 5th place. The bunch sprint was easily won by Jamie Streather from Team Synergy's Grant Philips. Special mention to the two ladies in the race. Results - 60km 1. Gordon McCauley (Oleum.co.uk) 2. Doug Crow (Twickenham CC) 3. Peter Swettenham (Twickenham CC) 4. Paul Holdsworth 5. Paul Docherty (Heffs Cycles) (1. second cat) 6. Jason Streather (Anglia Sport/Condor) 7. Richard Lewis (Rutland CC) 8. Mick McManus (Twickenham CC) 9. Jamie Streather (VC St Raphael/Waite Contracts) 10.Grant Philips (Team Synergy)San Fairy Ann Eastway Crits Eastway, London, February, 26, 2000 Despite a near race long break, the whole field came together for the final sprint and Tony Gibb showed that his form is coming back. He won from two of the most active riders in the field, Aarron McCaffrey and Gary Baker who finished 1-2 in the points race. Results E/1/2/3 (40 starters), 32 laps - 52km 1. Tony Gibb (Quest - The Bike Shop) 2. Aarron McCaffrey (Heffs Cycles) 3. D Shannon (Southend Wheelers) 4. Jon Johnston (Festival RC) 5. Gary Baker (Anglia Sport/Condor) 6. Ian Jefferies Points race: 1. Aarron McCaffrey, 2. Gary Baker (Anglia Sport-Condor) 3/4/W/J - 74 starters - 20 miles (32km) 1. Ross Egdar 2. R Edwards (CC Luton) 3. Andrew McPherson 4. P Chapman (Team 2000, Vet 1) 5. A Smart 6. Paul Barwell Juveniles 1. Thomas White (VC Londres) 2. Alistair Stoddard 3. Adam Slade 5. Jason Cattermole 4. David SpraggNZMBA National MTB Series - Downhill #5 Rotorua, New Zealand, February 26, 2000 Courtesy of Craig Munro/NZMBA Pro Men The final round of the 2000 NZ Mountainbike Downhill Championships were held under a cloudless sky in Rotorua this past weekend. Following a successful season that has seen some new faces on top of the podium, Rotorua was abuzz with New Zealand's best downhill riders. Three riders were eyeing up National Championship honours this weekend in the Pro Elite Men's field. Defending champion, Glen Sisarich (Haro), 1998 champion, John Kirkcaldie, and sensation of the season, Tim Nelson (Cheetah), were all in with chances of walking away with the title. Sisarich held the upperhand having taken two wins this season at Cardrona and Napier. Nelson, who won the opening round at Hokitika, was still injured with a cracked wrist sustained at Tokoroa, though was hopeful of making a start in this weekend's race. Kirkcaldie, consistent all year, and never off the podium at all four prior rounds was looking the hottest from taking the title away from Sisarich. The usual morning seeding run was waived by all the Pro Elite riders, who opted for an all or nothing one run attack at the course. Stuart Lynch, who was one of the first riders down the hill, in a time of 4.08.88, set the early pace. Lynch sat atop the N-Zone hot seat for near on twenty minutes, until Avanti designer/rider, Rob Metz blitzed the course in a fast 4.04.18. Tokoroa winner, Nathan Rankin and "The Weasel", Karl Paterson were still to set their times however, and the crowd waited with baited breath to see if either of the Foes riders could knock Metz from the hot seat. Paterson came the closest, just a knobbly tread depth away to take fourth place, only 0.18 seconds adrift of Metz. Rankin was a further three seconds back and rounded out the top five. Atop the hill were Kirkcaldie and Sisarich, each awaiting their respective starts. Kirkcaldie was first away, and he scorched down the hill to set a new course record of 3.58.53. Eyes peered uphill for the first sight of Sisarich to see if he could better Kirkcladie's hot time. He burst into view, his untamed dread-locks flowing behind him, as he powered his way past the final view obstacles to the finish line. The time clock seemed to taunt him as it displayed JK's time ten metres behind the finish line. Then, with a final burst of power he crossed the finish line, and the crowd held their breath and watched as the time clock clicked over to display his time - 3.59.40 - 0.87 seconds slower than Kirkcaldie to take second place. However it was still to be Sisarich's day as although he had lost today's battle with JK, he had won the war to take out his second consecutive NZ title. Results 1 J Kirkcaldie 3.58.5 2 G Sisarich 0.00.9 3 R Metz 0.05.6 4 K Paterson 0.05.8 5 N Rankin 0.09.1 Final Series Points Table 1 G Sisarich 174 pts 2 J Kirkcaldie 163 pts 3 T Nelson 152 pts 4 N Rankin 150 pts 5 K Paterson 141 ptsPro Women In the women's Pro Elite field, defending NZ champion, Vanessa Quin, injured herself during Thursday evening practice doing damage to her shoulder. It looked like we could have another new winner on the podium for this year. Sheryl MacLeod (Haro) and Lisa Horlor (Foes / Fox) were locked in a tense battle for second place overall in the points. Having not started the first two rounds, MacLeod was first away and would set the early pace with a scorching run of 4:32.65. She watched atop the N-Zone hotseat as the other girls crossed the line. Kirsten Drabble crossed in a time of 4:59.64 to take fourth, shortly followed by Elizabeth Campbell (5:22.67) in fifth. Next through though was Horlor, who, with a victory, could take second overall in the points from MacLeod. And that's exactly what she did. In a time of 4:25.17. Lisa crossed the line to take a well deserved win by 7.47 seconds, and also enough points to take second overall in the title chase. The winged Quin rolled the course (if you can call it that) to take third on the day in a time of 4:52.95, and secured yet another NZ national title. Results 1 L Horlor 4.25.2 2 S MacLeod 0.07.5 3 V Quin 0.27.8 4 K Drabble 0.34.5 5 E Campbell 0.57.5 Final Series Points Table 1 V Quin 180 pts 2 L Horlor 168 3 S MacLeod 163 4 K Drabble 148 5 E Campbell 136Rider of The Series Tim Nelson (of Nelson), for his fine performances this season - totally unexpected by everyone,including himself! |