Unsealed roads await Benchmark field

 

Nine sectors of ribines, or unsealed roads await the competitors of the Benchmark Homes Tour as this year’s most eagerly anticipated round is almost upon us.  The Round Six 158 kilometre Revolution Properties Open on Sunday, August 24th will surely be a ‘Sunday in Hell’, to coin a phrase, as the tour’s fourteen teams and individuals do battle around the Selwyn District and over the 13.5 kilometres of unsealed roads that begin at kilometre 81.

 

Race and series’ classification favourites will need to be well supported by team-mates at crucial times to ensure they are not left behind should they be unlucky to puncture on any of the unsealed sectors.  In the absence of any hills, these sectors are expected to fragment the peloton.  And as evident last year, the sealed roads between the ribines will provide a chance to scramble and regroup before further fragmenting of the main field occurs.

 

After coming away scoreless from Round Five, series leader Gordon McCauley (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team) will want to score some points in the absence of second-placed Paul Odlin (Trek) who is in Belgium.  Equally keen for points are nearest series’ challengers Chris Nicholson (Star & Garter – Tasman) who is the leading Master, McCauley’s team-mate and Under 23 classification leader Sam Horgan, Craig Lawn (Scott – Penny Cycles), Tom Findlay (Subway Cycling Team), and last year’s Under 23 series winner Daniel Barry (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team).

 

Whilst the series’ contenders will be chasing the day’s win for maximum points, challenges are expected to come from Round Five winner Shane Archbold, his team-mates Brian Fowler and Stephen Elden (Kelford – Reiker Cycling Team), Jeremy Yates (Subway Cycling Team), Joe Chapman and Ashley Whitehead (Delmaine Fine Foods), Shane Melrose (Cycling Otago), Brett Dawber (Bikeright), and Jason Allen (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team).

 

Four of New Zealand’s leading sponsored cycling teams will continue its battle for the Team classification which is tightly fought between the teams of Benchmark, Subway, Star & Garter – Tasman, and Kelford – Reiker which have distanced themselves from the remainder.

 

An equally keenly fought battle is for the Women’s classification currently led by Christchurch rider Nimesha Smith (Bikeright).  Eight points behind is Karen Fulton who has to date been well supported by her Star & Garter – Tasman team-mates and will again look for their support.  In third place sits Katri Laike (Kelford – Reiker Cycling Team) from Sara MacDonald (Cycling Otago).

 

The Revolution Properties Open starts from the Ladbrooks School at 10am before returning to complete three laps of the 5.8km finishing circuit.  Expected finish is 2.15pm.

 

Points Standing after Round Five;

 

  1. Gordon McCauley (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team) 64 points
  2. Paul Odlin (Trek) 63pts
  3. Chris Nicholson (Star & Garter – Tasman/Master) 42pts
  4. Sam Horgan (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team/U23) 41pts
  5. Craig Lawn (Scott – Penny Cycles/Master) 38pts
  6. Tom Findlay (Subway Cycling Team/U23) 37pts
  7. Daniel Barry (Benchmark Homes Cycling Team/U23) 34pts
  8. Shane Archbold (Kelford – Reiker Cycling Team/U23) 25pts
  9. Marc Ryan (Kelford – Reiker Cycling Team) 25pts
  10. Jeremy Yates (Subway Cycling Team) 24pts
  11. James Williamson (Subway Cycling Team/U23) 24pts
  12. Stephen Elden (Kelford – Reiker Cycling Team) 24pts
  13. Robin Reid (Star & Garter – Tasman) 22pts
  14. Jack Bauer (Star & Garter – Tasman) 22pts
  15. Jason Christie (Subway Cycling Team/U23) 22pts

 

 

Women’s Classification:

 

  1. Nimesha Smith (Bikeright Cycling Team) 35 points
  2. Karen Fulton (Star & Garter – Tasman) 27pts
  3. Katri Laike (Kelford – Reiker Cycling Team) 15pts
  4. Sara MacDonald (Cycling Otago) 13pts
  5. Tracy Clark (Team Thule Cycling) 10pts

 

Team Classification;

 

  1. Benchmark Homes Cycling Team

 

 

Greg Hume

Series Manager

The Papanui Cycling Club Inc.

021 599921