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Suzy Pryde got the ball rolling early just in case anyone wanted to sit back and take it easy for a lap or two. Karl Murray quickly picked up what Suzy started and began to put the attacks in to see what Gordon Bearman had in the tank. Gordon was up to the challenge and kept a close eye on Karl who managed to jump away and take the first sprint. He was caught shortly after and the ever wily Murray Spencer took this as his cue to try his weekly attack. He was quickly joined by Wayne Mason and a brief lull ensued as everyone tried to figure out who should chase.
Next to go was Tim Pawson with Round Taupo Classic runner up Aaron Strong. They quickly joined up with Spencer and Mason and the break was looking dangerous with two former North Island Tour winners. Wayne Mason took the sprint while in the bunch behind Karl Murray was constantly attacking to get up to the break but each time he was caught the pace would slow again allowing the break to stay clear. Finally Scott Guyton leaped from the bunch and began to chase across to the break, catching them after a couple of laps. Once Scott got across the pace went up a km or 2 in the break and they began to go clear despite repeated efforts from Karl Murray behind who remained unable to shake his shadow in the form of Gordon Bearman.
With two laps to go Scott decided that it would look better to win on his own and left his break companions to fight for second. It was a strong headwind for the final sprint and the four riders lined out side by side across the road looking at each other doing about 30km/h. It was Tim Pawson who went first and managed to hang on for the win ahead of a rapidly closing Wayne Mason followed by Murray Spencer and Aaron Strong. This was an historic moment for Tim being the first bunch sprint he has won since 1986. Behind him, Gordon Bearman crossed the line first arms aloft celebrating his series win and the thought of the luxury suite at The Hilton hotel.
Another great field for B-grade and plenty of action from the gun. One of the developing features of the B-grade field is the increasing strong presence of women riders-. At the first sprint it was yet again Stuart Robinson who has been Mr Consistency in these sprints. Several attacks were tried but yet again the bunch surged and managed to bring them back. Into the final laps they were in on a long line as the pace was kept high. The final sprint was anybody's being into a very strong headwind. Ric Woodward timed his move to perfection and snapped up a deserved win. He just edged out Raniero de Battista and Liz Williams who looks like she has found her sprint legs again. In fourth place was Series winner Stuart Robinson who will be lining up in A-grade next year wearing a shiny new MET helmet.
A grade 1 Scott Guyton 2 Tim Pawson 3 Wayne Mason 4 Murray Spencer 5 Aaron Strong 6 Gordon Bearman 7 Karl Murray 8 Andrew Small 9 Kieran Turner Final Points Standings 1 Gordon Bearman 171 2 Karl Murray 160 3 Aaron Strong 92 4 Eric McKenzie 61 5 Murray Spencer 57 6 Rusty Smith 52 7 Kieran Turner 49 8 David Rae 47 9 Wayne Mason 46 10 Scott Guyton 38 B grade 1 Rick Woodward 2 Raniero De Battista 3 Liz Williams 4 Stuart Robinson 5 Rod Dawson 6 Andrew Robertson 7 Martin Stock 8 Sean Martin 9 Peter Brooking 10 John Fitzpatrick Final Standings 1 Stuart Robinson 121 2 Rich Woodward 78 3 Elizabeth Williams 69 4 Peter Harding 66 5 Peter Brooking 56 6 Rod Dawson 54 7 Michael Northey 50 8 Scott Hotham 49 9 Craig Pitt 47 10 Russell Scott 44 Courtesy cyclingnz.com