Around Brunner - BikeNZ National Series - NE

New Zealand, April 18, 2009

Results

Yates, Sheridan claim BikeNZ national honours

Partners Jeremy Yates and Serena Sheridan have wrapped up the Lion Foundation BikeNZ National Road Cycling Series today. They did not need to compete in today's final round of the series, where Hokitika's Brent Allnut took out the Around Brunner race in Greymouth today.

The pair had sufficient points to hold off any late challenges in today's stunning 130km race that took in many of the most scenic parts of the West Coast around the stunning Lake Brunner.

Allnut and Scott McDonnell (Christchurch) were rewarded for a brave breakaway after 55 kilometres, just holding off the peloton in the 130 km race that started and finished beside the Grey River. Christchurch's Gary Pierce joined the pair at the 66 km mark but could only hang on for 30kms before falling off the pace.

The peloton, led by defending champion and Under 23 national series hopeful Sam Horgan (Christchurch), worked hard to close the gap, with Horgan missing his Subway-Avanti teammates in this event. They closed the gap to 1:20 minutes with 15 km to go and within 20 seconds but the leading pair managed to stay clear.

Allnut edged out McDonnell in the sprint with Alan Williams (Christchurch) third, with Allnut's time of 3:16.23 breaking Ashley Whithead's race record.

Giddens gets the glory

The women's race saw Springston's Josie Giddens take the honours in a dramatic finish after Hokitika's Cathy Hamer fell while in the lead, clipping a cone near the finish line. Giddens took advantage to win just ahead of Christchurch's Aimee Burns with Hamer recovering in time to claim third.

Earlier favourite Jennie Kuhajek (Nelson) crashed at the 105km mark when she make contact with a wheel of another competitor. She managed to get back on the bike and finished in the bunch, with the points sufficient to give her second place overall in the series behind Sheridan.

Elliot Crowther (Morrinsville) has taken out the Under 23 series honours while Kiwi-Velo edged Pro-Velo to be the leading team.

The Around Brunner race attracted more than 1200 recreational riders.

Results - 130km

Men
 
1 Brent Allnut (Hokitika)        3.16.23
2 Scott McDonnell (Christchurch)        
3 Alan Williams (Christchurch)      0.04
 
Women
 
1 Josie Giddens (Springston)            
2 Aimee Burns (Christchurch)            
3 Cathy Hamer (Hokitika)                
 
BikeNZ National Series Final points
 
Men
 
1 Jeremy Yates (Hawkes Bay)          485 pts
2 Karl Murray (Counties Manukau)     280
3 Elliot Crowther (Morrinsville)     235
4 Tom Findlay (Palmerston North)     195
5 Ben Evans (Auckland)               110
 
Women
 
1 Serena Sheridan (Nelson)           505 pts
2 Jeannie Kuhajek (Nelson)           285
3 Tara Allerton (New Plymouth)       175
 
Under 23
 
1 Elliot Crowther (Morrinsville)     425 pts
2 Tom Findlay (Palmerston North)     395
3 Sam Horgan (Christchurch)          175
 
Teams
 
1 Kiwi Velo                          465 pts
2 Pro Velo                           435
3 Torpedo                            350