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05/18/2008: "Waikato Bay of Plenty Half Distance Championships Sat 17 May 2008"

Members raced in the WBOP 1/2 Distance Champs at Rotorua. There were around 100 riders from all areas at the event. The club won 16 medals. The circuits at Naruku were very challenging and deceptively hilly in some parts! Weather temperatures were nasty with -1degree for the morning races. Weather conditions improved as the fog lifted and by 1pm races things were fine again!

Elite Men/U23 Men 80km

Gold U23 - Eliot Crowther 2:02:46
Silver Elite Men Andrew Weatherley (Te Awamutu Club - lives in Morrinsville) 2:02:55
Bronze Elite Men - Bevan Mason 80km 2:02:55


Elite Women / Junior Women 45km

Bronze Sandra Ginever 1:23:20
4th Rebecca Hurcomb 1:25:30 (approximate time)
Rebecca was thrilled with her first ever WBOP ride and she was not that far behind the winners.

Master 1 Men 60km

Master 1, 2 & 3 rode together.

Gold Mike Jones - Masters 2
Silver Mike Jensen - Master 1
Silver Lindsay Williams - Master 2
Silver Stephe Crowther Master 3

Hand Cycles 20km

Gold Tom Scott 1:23:35


Master 7 Men

Robbie Mazzola did the 40km distance with riders from Masters 4,5,6,7. Robbie (67) put in a huge effort to beat a number of people quite a few years younger than himself and deserves a pat on the back for his siver medal place.

Silver Robbie Mazzola

U17 Girls 30km (racing with U17 boys)

Gemma Murrell finished in 8th placing and was only 1 minute down from the overall winner. She was sent down the wrong direction along with three other cyclists by a turn marshall. She battled hard to make it to the finish within one minute of the winner. This was a fantastic effort by Gemma who is showing huge improvements. This after an accident in the Rotorua Tour only four weeks ago.

Bronze U17 Boys Louis Wright - 47:59
8th U17 Girl Gemma Murrell - 56:50

U15 Girls & Boys - 15km

Gold U15 Girls Georgina Read 30.05
Silver U15 Girls Megan Burrows 35.27
U15 Boys Charlie Murrell 27.15


Under 13 Boys & Girls raced together for 10km (down a big hill, turn & up a big hill!!)

Gold U13 Girls Kirsty Burrows 21.23
Silver U13 Girls Julia Williams 27:27
Silver U13 Boys Joshua Collins 19.48



Next Race: Saturday this week 1pm meeting at Bolten Road. Riders will be racing for the Val Allen & Aussie Hadley Trophies. Racing starts on time!!

NEW RIDERS WELCOME