Jason Boonen turned Saturday’s suffering into Monday’s triumph.

After a tough outing on the punishing hills of Old Coach Road last Saturday, he came back strongly to win his first club race on Monday’s Thornton circuit.

The 24-kilometre event – summer’s first Monday outing – featured a tightly contested group of eight riders who stayed together until the final kilometre, when five broke clear for the sprint.

Boonen timed his effort perfectly, surging late to win the B- and C-grade race by half a wheel from Will Doney, who nudged Dave Wright into third place. Albie Hulse eased ahead of Wendy Boonen to take the C-grade win.

It was also good to welcome seasoned A-graders Phil McIlroy and Jeremy Anderson back to racing, both showing sharp form despite the layoff. Race director Wright had attempted to engineer a bunch finish for the 12 riders by setting three different course lengths. Despite this, McIlroy led Anderson across the line a minute after the B- and C-grade race had finished—still recording the fastest time of the day.

Saturday’s 45km out-and-back race on Old Coach Road marked the final event of the winter series. With 700 metres of climbing and a challenging 14 kmh headwind, riders settled into three grade groupings after a 5km neutralised start. On the flag drop, Boonen tried his luck by jumping across to join Lorien Hicksen and Doney, who held a 200m gap for the first 23km.

Behind them, Sax, Wright, Malcolm Harison, Andrew Ross, and Dave Keown formed a chase group, followed by Albie Hulse and Wendy Boonen. With the hills softening legs on the outward leg, the return offered no mercy – same climbs, no shelter, and a headwind that had turned traitor. The result was a race of attrition, with each rider facing their own battle to the finish. Hicksen proved strongest, crossing ahead of Doney, with Harison following some way behind to complete the podium.

Next up is a social ride starting from Waiotahi Settlers Hall at 10am, followed by Monday’s race from outside Thornton School and a relay race on Thursday starting from outside Paroa School. With daylight saving now in effect and legs warming up, the summer series promises fast finishes and tactical battles. The full race calendar is available at www.whakatanecyclingclub.org.