North Island Series heats up the racing scene

As the European season once again draws to a close, New Zealand’s best international and domestic riders turn their attention to the much anticipated Tour of Southland. This famous race witnesses some of the most challenging conditions with flat roads and inclement weather combining over seven days. Although we haven’t entered a team, this year Callum, Nick and Matt are riding in the guise of Christchurch based TotalPOS Solutions. A stalwart of local cycling, TotalPOS has provided the boys with the support necessary to make the best of what is set to be a strong rendition of NZ’s most famous tour. While we eagerly await the first road stage, it seems appropriate to touch on some of the highs and lows since our last post.

On the Australian front, Paddy has excelled taking promising results in the Subaru National Road Series (NRS). His performance in National Capital Tour and the Tour of Tasmania were ample efforts to secure a 2015 contract with the Avanti Racing Team. Paddy will be joining Nature Valley Avanti for the last few races of the year before furthering his career over the ditch. We wish him well beyond 2014.

Back here in NZ, the Trust House North Island Series is well underway. Two rounds have already been completed and the third is happening as I write. With each race situated in the beautiful Wairapa, the series offers a professional, well run and centralised opportunity for riders to try their hand in a team’s environment.  

Round One was dogged by high winds and rain over a reduced circuit of 120km. Both Matt and Steve rode well, with the former spending most the race up the road providing a platform for the rest of the team. Crashes, the cold and splits all took their toll on the bunch. In the closing kilometres Steve played a commanding hand, orchestrating a series of moves which saw the leaders caught and a defining split emerge. Embattled veteran Gordon McCauley secured the win from a select group ahead of Wellington’s Dan Waluszewski. Our riders Steve and Corbin preformed amicably wresting hard earned spots in the top ten.     

Round Two offered a vast improvement in the weather, generally blue skies with a soft breeze welcomed the field. A slightly longer course of 146km featured rolling terrain leading into long straightaways that favoured the formation of a break. After a flurry of attacks in the opening stanza, a select group formed containing the majority of the favourites. Of those in the final cut, Nick, Callum and Matt were well placed to affect the direction of the race. Following an unfortunate turn of events, the boys were caught as the break dwindled to six. McCauley defended his overall lead in the series after an artful 3^rd place, bettered only by track duo Regan Gough and Luke Mudgeway. Our riders were narrowly captured by the bunch in what was a well ridden effort by the team.  


Best of luck to the squad for Round Three.


MM